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Audi e-tron Sportback vs Smart #5
Selected trim55 quattro · 2020-23Change trim277 mi · 95 kWh · £79,900
At a glance
The Audi e-tron Sportback was replaced by the Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron in 2023. Compare the Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron with the Smart #5
In this comparison, Audi e-tron Sportback stays competitive across the board, while the Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
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
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart #5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
Audi
4.2
Smart
6.4
Motorway Range
Audi
3
Smart
2.7
Too close to call
FamilySmart
Audi
8.4
Smart
9
ChargingSmart
Audi
4
Smart
5
City DrivingSmart
Audi
1.5
Smart
3.2
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 | Audi e-tron Sportback55 quattro | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £79,900 | £39,800 (better) |
| Official range | 277 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 615 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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Audi e-tron Sportback
Smart #5
Length
Audi e-tron Sportback4,901mm
Smart #54,695mm-206mm
Width
Audi e-tron Sportback1,935mm
Smart #51,920mm-15mm
Height
Audi e-tron Sportback1,616mm-89mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi e-tron Sportback55 quattro | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,901 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,935 mm | 1,920 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,189 mm | 2,169 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.2 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 465 mm spare | 480 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi e-tron Sportback55 quattro | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 615 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1665 L (better) | 1530 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 47 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,800 kg (better) | 1,600 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Audi e-tron Sportback
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
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.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.90m | 4.70m-206mm |
| Width | 1.94m | 1.92m-15mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.19m | 2.17m-20mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.71m+89mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.93m | 2.90m-28mm |
| Ground Clearance | 172mm | 190mm+18mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 615L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1665L (better) | 1530L |
| Frunk | Not available | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.2m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 2,555kg | 2,200kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,800kg (better) | 1,600kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 95kWh (better) | 76kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 277 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £79,900 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Coupe SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2020–2023 | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi e-tron Sportback55 quattro | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 277 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 231 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 86 kWh (better) | 76 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Audi e-tron Sportback55 quattro | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 300 kW (better) | 250 kW |
| Torque | 664 Nm (better) | 373 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Audi e-tron Sportback
55 quattro
Smart #5
Pro
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Audi e-tron Sportback
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 - Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
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)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi e-tron Sportback55 quattro | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | Not available |
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. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Audi e-tron Sportback
55 quattro
Owners love
- Excellent build quality and high-quality interior materials throughout the vehicle
- Smooth, quiet, and comfortable driving experience with effective air suspension
- Strong performance with powerful acceleration and responsive handling
Watch out for
- Range drops significantly in winter conditions, falling to around 160 miles without preconditioning
- Premium pricing at £79,900+ entry level with some standard features available only on higher trims
- High kerb weight of 2.5 tonnes may limit efficiency potential compared to lighter competitors
Owner tips
- Plan longer trips around fast charger networks like Ionity and use the Audi App for real-time availability
- Charge regularly at home (every 8 days) to maintain battery health and reduce charging anxiety
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
Buying options
Get a quote
Audi e-tron Sportback
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi e-tron Sportback worth the extra £40,100 over the Smart #5?
The Audi e-tron Sportback costs £40,100 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds 50 kW more power and a 1.2s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi e-tron Sportback or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £40,100 cheaper to buy. The Smart #5 is cheaper to charge, roughly £200 a year versus £232 for the Audi e-tron Sportback, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #5 comes out roughly £40,260 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 231 miles for the Audi e-tron Sportback and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Audi e-tron Sportback goes roughly 29 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi e-tron Sportback or the Smart #5?
The two are within 15 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5 and about 465 mm of total clearance for the Audi e-tron Sportback.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Audi e-tron Sportback or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Audi e-tron Sportback and 90% for the Smart #5. That gives the Smart #5 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Audi e-tron Sportback's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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 Audi e-tron Sportback comparisons
More Smart #5 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 Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Audi e-tron Sportback and Smart #5 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .