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Smart EQ fortwo vs VW e-Up!
Selected trimStandard · 2017-2484 mi · 17.6 kWh · £23,850
Selected trim32kWh · 2020-23Change trim162 mi · 36.8 kWh · £23,195
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart EQ fortwo leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the VW e-Up! counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart EQ fortwo if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart EQ fortwo leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Smart
5.2
VW
5.2
Too close to call
Motorway RangeSmart
Smart
3.9
VW
2.7
Family
Smart
3.9
VW
4.2
Too close to call
ChargingSmart
Smart
9.5
VW
1.7
Cost Per MileSmart
Smart
8.7
VW
6.6
City Driving
Smart
9.8
VW
9.5
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £23,850 | £23,195 (better) |
| Official range | 84 miles | 162 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L (better) | 250 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 49 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec (better) | 11.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Smart EQ fortwo
VW e-Up!
Length
Smart EQ fortwo2,695mm-905mm
VW e-Up!3,600mm
Width
Smart EQ fortwo1,663mm
VW e-Up!1,645mm-18mm
Height
Smart EQ fortwo1,555mm
VW e-Up!1,492mm-63mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 2,695 mm | 3,600 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,663 mm | 1,645 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,893 mm (better) | 1,910 mm |
| Height | 1,555 mm | 1,492 mm |
| Turning circle | 7 m (better) | 9.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 737 mm spare | 755 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 | 4 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 1 | 2 (better) |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L (better) | 250 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 923 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Smart EQ fortwo
- At 2,695 mm, shorter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 6.95 m turning circle, tighter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,663 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
VW e-Up!
- At 3,600 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 1,645 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart EQ fortwo Base |  VW e-Up! 32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 2.69m | 3.60m+905mm |
| Width | 1.66m | 1.65m-18mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.89m | 1.91m+17mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.49m-63mm |
| Wheelbase | 1.87m | 2.42m+547mm |
| Ground Clearance | 100mm | 138mm+38mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L (better) | 250L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 923L |
| Seats | 2 | 4 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 6.95m (better) | 9.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,085kg (better) | 1,274kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 17.6kWh | 36.8kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 84 mi | 162 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 0kW | 40kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £23,850 | £23,195 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2017–2024 | 2020–2023 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 84 miles | 162 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 70 miles | 116 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 49 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 0 kW | 40 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 144 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 16.7 kWh | 32.3 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec (better) | 11.9 sec |
| Power | 60 kW | 61 kW (better) |
| Torque | 160 Nm | 212 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Smart EQ fortwo
Base
VW e-Up!
32kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Smart EQ fortwo
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £11,099 | £8,995 |
| Average used price | £11,598 | £10,348 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 29.4% over ~6 months | Down 1.4% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 EQ fortwo Base
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant82%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users56%
Safety Assist56%
Euro NCAP - VW e-Up! 32kWh
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant81%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users46%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart EQ fortwoBase | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 100,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
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 real-world range, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Smart EQ fortwo
Base
Owners love
- Owners find it fun and nimble in town, and it parks almost anywhere.
- Cars with the 22 kW charger fill from empty in a little over an hour on a fast AC post.
- Standard kit is generous, with heated seats on most cars.
Watch out for
- Real range is about 60 to 80 miles, and 45 to 60 in winter; the range estimate reads high.
- Charging faults are the most common complaint, and some cars spent months at dealers.
- A flat or failing 12V battery can leave the high-voltage battery unusable, and replacement packs are hard to get.
Owner tips
- Check the 12V battery's health before you buy and keep it in good order.
- Test that the car starts and finishes a charge on your own charger before you buy.
VW e-Up!
32kWh
Owners love
- Fun, responsive driving experience with excellent handling and smooth, quiet operation suited to city driving
- Compact size makes parking and maneuvering effortless, while feeling surprisingly solid and well-built
- Customizable regenerative braking with multiple selectable levels allows drivers to tailor efficiency to their preference
Watch out for
- Severely overpriced relative to petrol equivalents, with pricing that has hindered market adoption and resale values
- Limited real-world range (60-100 miles depending on model year) requires careful journey planning for longer trips
- UK home charging limited to 3.6kW on standard single-phase supply despite marketing claims of 7.2kW capability
Owner tips
- Verify actual UK charging specifications (3.6kW single-phase vs. 7.2kW three-phase) and test charging rates before purchase to avoid disappointment
- Negotiate aggressively with dealers—significant discounts from list price are routinely available on stock vehicles
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart EQ fortwo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Up!
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart EQ fortwo
No active listings.
VW e-Up!
- £10,4952021Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart EQ fortwo or the VW e-Up!?
The VW e-Up! is £655 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW e-Up! comes out roughly £575 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 EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 70 miles for the Smart EQ fortwo and 116 miles for the VW e-Up! - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW e-Up! goes roughly 47 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart EQ fortwo or the VW e-Up!?
The two are within 18 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 755 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Up! and about 737 mm of total clearance for the Smart EQ fortwo. The Smart EQ fortwo also turns in a 2.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart EQ fortwo or the VW e-Up!?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Smart EQ fortwo and 84% for the VW e-Up!. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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 VW e-Up! 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 EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Smart EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Smart EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Smart EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart EQ fortwo and VW e-Up! rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used smart EQ fortwo or forfour (2017-2024): Charging Faults, Real Range & What to Pay
A used smart EQ fortwo and forfour buyer’s guide: coupe, cabrio or four-seater, the 22 kW charger, charging and 12V faults, real-world range, the battery warranty, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideUsed VW e-up!, SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV buyer's guide
Buying a used VW e-up! or its twins, the SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV: the 18.7 and 32.3 kWh versions, the 7 kW charging setting, range, owner reports and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .