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Smart #5 vs Volvo EX30
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #5 leads on value for money and family practicality, while the Volvo EX30 leads on charging speed, running costs and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
Choose the Volvo EX30 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.3p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EX30 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Smart
6.4
Volvo
5.9
FamilySmart
Smart
9
Volvo
5
ChargingVolvo
Smart
5
Volvo
5.7
Cost Per MileVolvo
Smart
1.6
Volvo
3
City DrivingVolvo
Smart
3.2
Volvo
6.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Smart #5
Pro
- 78 miles more WLTP range
- 230 litres more boot space
- 50 kW more power
- 2.2s quicker 0-62 mph
- 600 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £39,800 | £33,060 (better) |
| Official range | 288 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Boot space | 630 L (better) | 400 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 26 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Smart #5
Volvo EX30
Length
Smart #54,695mm
Volvo EX304,233mm-462mm
Width
Smart #51,920mm
Volvo EX301,838mm-82mm
Height
Smart #51,705mm
Volvo EX301,550mm-155mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,695 mm | 4,233 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,920 mm | 1,838 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,169 mm | 2,032 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 480 mm spare | 562 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 821 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 630 L (better) | 400 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1530 L (better) | 1000 L |
| Frunk | 47 L (better) | 7 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 1,000 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Volvo EX30
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #5 Pro |  Volvo EX30 Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.70m | 4.23m-462mm |
| Width | 1.92m | 1.84m-82mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.17m | 2.03m-137mm |
| Height | 1.71m | 1.55m-155mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.65m-250mm |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 630L (better) | 400L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1530L (better) | 1000L |
| Frunk | 47L (better) | 7L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 821mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,200kg | 1,840kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 76kWh (better) | 51kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 288 mi (better) | 209 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £39,800 | £33,060 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
* Volvo EX30: 11 kW AC on Core and Plus; Ultra has a 22 kW on-board charger.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 288 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 202 miles (better) | 149 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 26 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 185 Wh/km | 169 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 76 kWh (better) | 51 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Torque | 373 Nm (better) | 343 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Smart #5
Pro
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
7.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.1/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Smart #5
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Smart #5 Pro
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users84%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX30 Single Motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Smart #5
Pro
Owners love
- Exceptional interior space with comfortable rear legroom, reclining seats, and 630 litres of boot space
- Outstanding acceleration (3.8 seconds 0-62mph) and impressive 800V fast charging (10-80% in 18 minutes at optimal conditions)
- Advanced infotainment with three screens, superb conversational voice control, and premium materials (Alcantara, vegan leather)
Watch out for
- High energy consumption significantly impacts real-world range compared to competitors despite 335-mile WLTP rating
- Design is polarizing and divisive; frequently compared unfavorably to the Nissan Cube with questionable styling details
- 335-mile WLTP range underwhelming for a 100kWh battery and not class-leading compared to rivals
Owner tips
- Test drive the rear-wheel drive base models which offer better steering feel, more dynamic handling, and additional frunk space compared to all-wheel drive variants
- Visit dealerships in person to confirm driver's seat comfort if over 6 feet tall and test voice assistant behavior to ensure it suits your driving style
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the performance: even the single-motor car is quick, and the Twin Motor Performance is very fast.
- Build quality, seats and cabin materials are widely described as good for the price, with a light, modern interior.
- The ride and road holding win praise, and the compact footprint makes it easy to park.
Watch out for
- Almost every control lives on the centre touchscreen, and the lack of a driver display or head-up display is the most common complaint.
- Driver aids such as lane assist and speed-limit warnings are seen as intrusive, and must be switched off again at every start.
- Rear legroom and the boot are small, so owners call it a car for two adults rather than four.
Owner tips
- Pick the Single Motor Extended Range for the best balance of range, ride and price.
- Set climate, wipers and lights to auto and save a driver profile so you rarely need the screen on the move.
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX30
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #5
No active listings.
Volvo EX30
- £26,1672024Car360View
- £27,5512025Car360View
- £23,4992024Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #5 worth the extra £6,740 over the Volvo EX30?
The Smart #5 costs £6,740 more than the Volvo EX30. For that premium it adds 78 miles more WLTP range, 230 litres more boot space and 50 kW more power. The Volvo EX30 is not just cheaper - it also offers lower energy use, 169 versus 185 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Volvo EX30 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #5 or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is £6,740 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £184 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX30 comes out roughly £6,820 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 202 miles for the Smart #5 and 149 miles for the Volvo EX30 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Smart #5 goes roughly 53 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 26-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart #5 or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 82 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 562 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX30 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #5 or the Volvo EX30?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #5 and 90% for the Volvo EX30. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Smart #5 comparisons
More Volvo EX30 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo EX30 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .