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Nissan ARIYA vs Smart #3
Selected trimProChange trim202 mi · 66 kWh · £33,960
At a glance
In this comparison, Nissan ARIYA leads on motorway range, family practicality and running costs, while the Smart #3 leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Nissan ARIYA 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 want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Smart #3 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Nissan ARIYA leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Nissan
5.8
Smart
6.1
Too close to call
Motorway RangeNissan
Nissan
4.3
Smart
2.8
FamilyNissan
Nissan
6.9
Smart
5.7
Cost Per MileNissan
Nissan
4.6
Smart
2.7
City DrivingSmart
Nissan
4.7
Smart
6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Nissan ARIYA
Engage+ 63kWh
- 48 miles more WLTP range
- 96 litres more boot space
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan ARIYAEngage+ 63kWh | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,000 | £33,960 (better) |
| Official range | 250 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Boot space | 466 L (better) | 370 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.5 sec | 5.8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Nissan ARIYA
Smart #3
Length
Nissan ARIYA4,595mm
Smart #34,400mm-195mm
Width
Nissan ARIYA1,850mm
Smart #31,844mm-6mm
Height
Nissan ARIYA1,660mm
Smart #31,556mm-104mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan ARIYAEngage+ 63kWh | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,595 mm | 4,400 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,850 mm | 1,844 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,172 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.5 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 550 mm spare | 556 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan ARIYAEngage+ 63kWh | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 466 L (better) | 370 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1350 L (better) | 1160 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Nissan ARIYA Engage+ 63kWh |  Smart #3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.59m | 4.40m-195mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.84m-6mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.17m | Not available |
| Height | 1.66m | 1.56m-104mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.79m+10mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 466L (better) | 370L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1350L (better) | 1160L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 1,917kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 63kWh | 66kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 250 mi (better) | 202 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,000 | £33,960 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,500 (-£1,500) | £33,960 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Coupe |
| Available | 2026+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Nissan ARIYAEngage+ 63kWh | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 250 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 209 miles (better) | 189 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7.4 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 172 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 63 kWh | 66 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan ARIYAEngage+ 63kWh | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.5 sec | 5.8 sec (better) |
| Power | 160 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 300 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.
Nissan ARIYA
Engage+ 63kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart #3
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 - Nissan ARIYA Engage+ 63kWh
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users74%
Safety Assist93%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart #3 Pro
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Nissan ARIYAEngage+ 63kWh | Smart #3Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
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, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Nissan ARIYA
Engage+ 63kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, roomy cabin, the comfortable seats and the interior design.
- The 87 kWh cars give a long range in mild weather, with owners reporting around 280-300 miles.
- Owners who tow find it capable, and the head-up display and 360-degree camera are well liked.
Watch out for
- The infotainment and navigation feel slow and dated, with touch-sensitive buttons that are easy to brush by accident.
- Several owners report 12-volt battery problems, sometimes within the first months.
- Winter range drops noticeably, with one 87 kWh owner seeing the estimate fall from about 330 to 220-230 miles.
Owner tips
- Ask whether the 12-volt battery has been replaced, and consider a cheap 12-volt monitor.
- Use the battery percentage rather than the range estimate, which is unreliable for the first few charges and in winter.
Smart #3
Pro
Owners love
- Smart Pilot Assist lane-centering and adaptive cruise control significantly reduce driver fatigue on motorway journeys
- Quiet, refined driving experience with comfortable ride quality and Mercedes-quality interior materials
- Excellent value proposition with competitive pricing, extensive standard features, and strong performance in Brabus mode
Watch out for
- Infotainment system poorly designed with busy interface and excessive menu navigation required
- Quality control issues reported on delivery including scratches, sand in door handles, and defective components
- Range falls significantly short of claimed figures, especially when using Brabus performance mode
Owner tips
- Request detailed pre-delivery inspection to catch transport damage; arrange home charger and Charge Place Scotland card before taking delivery
- Budget for extended warranty coverage to match 4-year PCP payment terms and mitigate servicing uncertainties
Buying options
Get a quote
Nissan ARIYA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Nissan ARIYA
No active listings.
Smart #3
- £27,3002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan ARIYA worth the extra £3,040 over the Smart #3?
The Nissan ARIYA costs £3,040 more than the Smart #3. For that premium it adds 48 miles more WLTP range and 96 litres more boot space. The Smart #3 is not just cheaper - it also offers 40 kW more power and a 1.7s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Nissan ARIYA comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Nissan ARIYA or the Smart #3?
The Smart #3 is £3,040 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #3 comes out roughly £2,920 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 209 miles for the Nissan ARIYA and 189 miles for the Smart #3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Nissan ARIYA goes roughly 20 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 Nissan ARIYA or the Smart #3?
The two are within 6 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 556 mm of total clearance for the Smart #3 and about 550 mm of total clearance for the Nissan ARIYA.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Nissan ARIYA or the Smart #3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Nissan ARIYA and 84% for the Smart #3. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation.
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 Nissan ARIYA 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 Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Nissan ARIYA and Smart #3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .