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MG ZS EV (2019-2021) vs Smart #1
Selected trimExclusive 44.5kWh · 2019-21Change trim163 mi · 44.5 kWh · Not available
At a glance
The MG ZS EV was replaced by the MG S5 EV in 2025. Compare the MG S5 EV with the Smart #1
In this comparison, MG ZS EV leads on family practicality and running costs, while the Smart #1 leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MG ZS EV (2019-2021) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.3p per mile on off-peak electricity
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 MG ZS EV leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
MG
0
Smart
5.9
FamilyMG
MG
6.1
Smart
5.4
Cost Per MileMG
MG
3
Smart
1.9
City Driving
MG
6.1
Smart
6
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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MG ZS EV
Smart #1
Length
MG ZS EV4,314mm
Smart #14,270mm-44mm
Width
MG ZS EV1,809mm-13mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
MG ZS EV1,620mm-16mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,314 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,809 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,068 mm | 2,025 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 591 mm spare (better) | 578 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.
MG ZS EV
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 |  MG ZS EV Exclusive 44.5kWh |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.31m | 4.27m-44mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.82m+13mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.02m-43mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.64m+16mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.58m | 2.75m+165mm |
| Ground Clearance | 161mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 448L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1166L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.2m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,532kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 44.5kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 163 mi | 193 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | Not available | 130kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £29,960 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2019–2021 | 2023+ |
* MG ZS EV: MG does not publish a peak rapid-charge rate for this version; its handbook gives 40-60 minutes to 80% on an average rapid charger.
* MG ZS EV: Not approved for towing: MG says the 2022 refreshed ZS EV was its first electric car able to tow.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 163 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 136 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 40 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | Not available | 130 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7.4 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 44.5 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
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.
MG ZS EV
Exclusive 44.5kWh
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.
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 - MG ZS EV Exclusive 44.5kWh
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users64%
Safety Assist70%
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.
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.
MG ZS EV
Exclusive 44.5kWh
Owners love
- Cheap to buy used for a practical electric SUV
- Very low running costs when charged at home on a cheap overnight tariff
- Quiet and smooth driving experience with good acceleration and instant torque.
Watch out for
- Constant warning sounds and notifications (bongs) that owners find intrusive and difficult to fully disable.
- Severely limited motorway range at constant 70 mph, realistically 80-130 miles between charges.
- Winter range significantly reduced to 120-135 miles compared to 160-170 in summer.
Owner tips
- Charge at home on an off-peak tariff to keep running costs low
- Ask whether all battery-management software updates and MG service bulletins have been done; early cars needed several, at a dealer
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
MG ZS EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MG ZS EV
- £9,4952020Drive GreenView
- £8,7952021Drive GreenView
- £8,8952021Drive GreenView
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
What are the MG ZS EV and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 136 miles for the MG ZS EV and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - 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 40 minutes in the MG ZS EV and 30 in the Smart #1, so the Smart #1 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MG ZS EV or the Smart #1?
The two are within 13 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the MG ZS EV and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MG ZS EV or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MG ZS EV 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 MG ZS EV's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. The Smart #1 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the MG ZS EV.
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 MG ZS EV 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 MG ZS EV and Smart #1 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the MG ZS EV and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MG ZS EV and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MG ZS EV and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MG ZS EV and Smart #1 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MG ZS EV 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.
Guide
Buying a Used MG ZS EV (2019-2025): Which Version, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used MG ZS EV buyer’s guide: the original 44.5 kWh car vs the 2022 update with 51 or 72.6 kWh, real-world range, MG’s 7-year warranty, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
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 .