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Citroën ë-C4 (2021-2024) vs Smart #1
Selected trim50kWh 136 · 2021-24Change trim217 mi · 50 kWh · £32,180
At a glance
In this comparison, Citroën ë-C4 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Smart #1 leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Citroën ë-C4 (2021-2024) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Citroën ë-C4 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
Citroën
5
Smart
5.9
Motorway RangeCitroën
Citroën
3.7
Smart
1.9
FamilyCitroën
Citroën
6.5
Smart
5.4
ChargingCitroën
Citroën
5
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileCitroën
Citroën
5.1
Smart
1.9
City DrivingCitroën
Citroën
6.9
Smart
6
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 | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £32,180 | £29,960 (better) |
| Official range | 217 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 380 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 10 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Citroën ë-C4
Smart #1
Length
Citroën ë-C44,355mm
Smart #14,270mm-85mm
Width
Citroën ë-C41,800mm-22mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
Citroën ë-C41,520mm-116mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,355 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,025 mm |
| Height | 1,520 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 380 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1250 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | 0 L | 15 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Citroën ë-C4
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Citroën ë-C4 50kWh 136 (2021-24) |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.36m | 4.27m-85mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.82m+22mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.52m | 1.64m+116mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.67m | 2.75m+80mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 380L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1250L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,571kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 50kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 217 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,180 | £29,960 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2024 | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 217 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 156 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 153 Wh/km (better) | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 46 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 10 sec | Not available |
| Power | 100 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 260 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Citroën ë-C4
50kWh 136 (2021-24)
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #1
Pure
7.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Electrifying.com9/10
- Autocar3.5/5
- DrivingElectric3.5/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £13,649 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £14,486 | £23,771 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 4 listings | 10 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 9.8% over ~6 months | Up 4.3% 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 - Citroën ë-C4 50kWh 136 (2021-24)
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist63%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart #1 Pure
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant96%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist88%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 201,168 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 infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Citroën ë-C4
50kWh 136 (2021-24)
Owners love
- Owners consistently rate the ride comfort and seats as the car's biggest strength, softer and quieter than most rivals.
- Owners describe it as roomy for a family, with good rear legroom and a practical hatchback boot.
- Running costs on home charging are very low, and owners on off-peak tariffs report a few pounds per hundred miles.
Watch out for
- Range is the most common complaint: owners report around 140 to 150 miles in normal mixed driving, under 120 at motorway speeds and as little as 100 in cold weather.
- Owners find the range estimate optimistic and unreliable, and some early cars do not show the battery percentage on the dashboard.
- The MyCitroën app is widely described as poor and unreliable, and the infotainment as slow, with occasional freezes after software updates.
Owner tips
- Plan on about 150 miles of real range in mild weather and much less on winter motorway trips.
- Judge range by the battery percentage and your miles per kWh rather than the range estimate.
Smart #1
Pure
Owners love
- Owners describe a comfortable, quiet and planted drive, with a premium, well-built interior.
- Generous standard equipment for the money, including a glass roof, 360-degree cameras and, on Premium and BRABUS, a clear head-up display and Beats audio.
- The BRABUS is very fast, and even the single-motor car feels quick.
Watch out for
- Early cars often had sticky or faulty pop-out door handles, fixed under warranty.
- Some early cars developed a hum from the rear axle bearings or motor mounts, fixed with new parts under warranty.
- The Hello Smart app is widely criticised as unreliable, asking for repeated log-ins and showing wrong data.
Owner tips
- Check every door handle works properly on a test drive.
- Listen for humming from the rear at speed and ask whether bushes or bearings have been replaced.
Buying options
Get a quote
Citroën ë-C4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Citroën ë-C4
- £12,3522022Car360View
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Citroën ë-C4 worth the extra £2,220 over the Smart #1?
The Citroën ë-C4 costs £2,220 more than the Smart #1. For that premium it adds 67 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 153 versus 181 Wh/km. The Smart #1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and 100 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Citroën ë-C4 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Citroën ë-C4 or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £2,220 cheaper to buy. The Citroën ë-C4 is cheaper to charge, roughly £168 a year versus £200 for the Smart #1, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #1 comes out roughly £2,060 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 156 miles for the Citroën ë-C4 and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Citroën ë-C4 goes roughly 23 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 Citroën ë-C4 or the Smart #1?
The two are within 22 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C4 and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Citroën ë-C4 or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Citroën ë-C4 and 90% for the Smart #1. That gives the Smart #1 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #1's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Citroën ë-C4'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 Citroën ë-C4 comparisons
More Smart #1 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 Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Smart #1 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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.
GuideUsed Citroën ë-C4 buyer's guide (2021-2024 and the 2025 facelift)
Buying a used Citroën ë-C4 or ë-C4 X: the 50 and 54 kWh versions, the recalls to check, realistic range, what owners report and what to pay in 2026.
GuideBuying a Used Smart #1 (2023 on): Pro+, Premium or BRABUS & What to Pay
A used Smart #1 buyer’s guide: the 66 kWh Pro+, Premium and BRABUS and the later 49 kWh Pure and Pro, the seat belt recall, the short car warranty but 8-year battery cover, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .