Loading comparison
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (2021-2024) vs Smart #5
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai IONIQ 5 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Smart #5 leads on family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (2021-2024) 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 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Hyundai
6
Smart
6.4
Too close to call
Motorway RangeHyundai
Hyundai
5.6
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
Hyundai
8
Smart
9
ChargingHyundai
Hyundai
8.1
Smart
5
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
5.6
Smart
1.6
City Driving
Hyundai
3.6
Smart
3.2
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Smart #5
Pro
- 49 miles more WLTP range
- 103 litres more boot space
- 125 kW more power
- 1.6s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1600 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 558kWh RWD | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,995 (better) | £39,800 |
| Official range | 239 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 527 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 18 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.5 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Smart #5
Length
Hyundai IONIQ 54,635mm-60mm
Smart #54,695mm
Width
Hyundai IONIQ 51,890mm-30mm
Smart #51,920mm
Height
Hyundai IONIQ 51,605mm-100mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 558kWh RWD | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,635 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,890 mm (better) | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,116 mm (better) | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,605 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 12 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 510 mm spare (better) | 480 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 558kWh RWD | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 527 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1587 L (better) | 1530 L |
| Frunk | 57 L (better) | 47 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 1,600 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 3,000 mm wheelbase, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai IONIQ 5 58kWh RWD |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.63m | 4.70m+60mm |
| Width | 1.89m | 1.92m+30mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.12m | 2.17m+53mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.71m+100mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 2.90m-100mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 527L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1587L (better) | 1530L |
| Frunk | 57L (better) | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.98m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,600kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 76kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 239 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | Not available | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,995 (better) | £39,800 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2024 | 2025+ |
* Hyundai IONIQ 5: Heat pump: an option on Premium and Ultimate, standard on Namsan Edition, not available on SE Connect.
* Hyundai IONIQ 5: WLTP figure on 19-inch wheels; versions on 20-inch wheels are rated lower.
* Hyundai IONIQ 5: Manufacturer lists 0 kg braked towing for the 58 kWh car (750 kg unbraked).
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 558kWh RWD | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 239 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 199 miles | 202 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 18 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | Not available | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh | 76 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 800V | 800V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ 558kWh RWD | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.5 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 125 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 373 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | 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.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
58kWh RWD
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #5
Pro
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
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 - Hyundai IONIQ 5 58kWh RWD
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users63%
Safety Assist88%
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 | Hyundai IONIQ 558kWh RWD | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 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 infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
58kWh RWD
Owners love
- Very comfortable and roomy, with a flat floor that suits long journeys
- Very fast rapid charging thanks to the 800-volt system
- High-quality cabin with thoughtful features such as vehicle-to-load (V2L)
Watch out for
- Failures of the ICCU (the unit that charges the 12V battery) are the biggest theme, covered by a UK recall, sometimes with months-long waits for parts
- 12V battery failures can leave the car stranded
- A minority report AC (home) charging faults that took several dealer visits to fix
Owner tips
- Check the ICCU recall has been done and ask whether the unit was replaced
- Carry a portable jump starter and consider a 12V battery monitor
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
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
- £18,8492023Browns of RichmondView
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #5 worth the extra £2,805 over the Hyundai IONIQ 5?
The Smart #5 costs £2,805 more than the Hyundai IONIQ 5. For that premium it adds 49 miles more WLTP range, 103 litres more boot space and 125 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or the Smart #5?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is £2,805 cheaper to buy. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is cheaper to charge, roughly £168 a year versus £200 for the Smart #5, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 comes out roughly £2,965 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 199 miles for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 18 minutes in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 30 in the Smart #5, so the Hyundai IONIQ 5 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or the Smart #5?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 30 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 510 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 90% for the Smart #5. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. The Smart #5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Hyundai IONIQ 5'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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Smart #5 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .