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Kia EV6 (2021-2024) vs Smart #5
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia EV6 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Smart #5 leads on family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia EV6 (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 2p 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 Kia EV6 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Kia
6.1
Smart
6.4
Too close to call
Motorway RangeKia
Kia
7.6
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
Kia
7.2
Smart
9
ChargingKia
Kia
8.3
Smart
5
Cost Per MileKia
Kia
6.3
Smart
1.6
City Driving
Kia
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.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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Kia EV6
Smart #5
Length
Kia EV64,680mm-15mm
Smart #54,695mm
Width
Kia EV61,880mm-40mm
Smart #51,920mm
Height
Kia EV61,550mm-155mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,880 mm (better) | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,141 mm (better) | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 520 mm spare (better) | 480 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia EV6
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 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV6 Air 77.4kWh |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.68m | 4.70m+15mm |
| Width | 1.88m | 1.92m+40mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.14m | 2.17m+28mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.71m+155mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.90m |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1300L | 1530L (better) |
| Frunk | 52L (better) | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.6m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg | 1,600kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 77.4kWh (better) | 76kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 328 mi (better) | 288 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 239kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £40,895 | £39,800 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2024 | 2025+ |
* Kia EV6: Heat pump: optional on GT-Line and GT-Line S, standard on GT, not offered on the entry car at launch.
* Kia EV6: Headline WLTP figure for this drive type; versions on larger wheels are rated lower.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 328 miles (better) | 288 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 273 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 18 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 239 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 77.4 kWh (better) | 76 kWh |
| 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.
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.
Kia EV6
Air 77.4kWh
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 - Kia EV6 Air 77.4kWh
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users64%
Safety Assist87%
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.
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.
Kia EV6
Air 77.4kWh
Owners love
- Very fast rapid charging, with owners regularly seeing 200 kW or more on ultra-rapid chargers
- Comfortable, quiet and refined on long journeys
- Distinctive design that owners still like years on
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 long waits for parts
- 12V battery problems, often linked to the ICCU, can leave the car unable to start
- Mixed experiences of Kia dealers, with slow parts and patchy communication
Owner tips
- Check the ICCU recall has been done and ask whether the unit was replaced
- Ask whether the 12V battery has been tested or replaced
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
Kia EV6
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV6
- £23,2642023Car360View
- £28,4002023EV ExpertsView
- £28,9002023EV ExpertsView
Smart #5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV6 worth the extra £1,095 over the Smart #5?
The Kia EV6 costs £1,095 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds 40 miles more WLTP range and 89 kW faster peak rapid charging. The Smart #5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 140 litres more boot space and 82 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV6 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV6 or the Smart #5?
The Smart #5 is £1,095 cheaper to buy. The Kia EV6 is cheaper to charge, roughly £160 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 Smart #5 comes out roughly £895 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Kia EV6 and Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 273 miles for the Kia EV6 and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV6 goes roughly 71 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 18 minutes in the Kia EV6 and 30 in the Smart #5, so the Kia EV6 loses less time at each stop. That makes the Kia EV6 the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV6 or the Smart #5?
The Kia EV6 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 40 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 520 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV6 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia EV6 or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Kia EV6 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 Kia EV6's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. The Smart #5 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV6.
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 Kia EV6 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 Kia EV6 and Smart #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Smart #5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV6 and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV6 and Smart #5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .