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Smart #3 vs Tesla Model 3 (2019-2023)
Selected trimProChange trim202 mi · 66 kWh · £33,960
Selected trimLong Range Dual Motor · 2019-23Change trim374 mi · 75 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #3 leads on value for money and city driving, while the Tesla Model 3 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model 3 (2019-2023) 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 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model 3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Smart
6.1
Tesla
0
Motorway RangeTesla
Smart
2.8
Tesla
7.2
Family
Smart
5.7
Tesla
5.8
Too close to call
ChargingTesla
Smart
1.7
Tesla
5.6
Cost Per MileTesla
Smart
2.7
Tesla
9.4
City DrivingSmart
Smart
6
Tesla
3.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model 3
Long Range Dual Motor
- 172 miles more WLTP range
- 191 litres more boot space
- 100 kW faster rapid charging
- 1.4s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,960 | Not available |
| Official range | 202 miles | 374 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 370 L | 561 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 5.8 sec | 4.4 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Smart #3
Tesla Model 3
Length
Smart #34,400mm-295mm
Tesla Model 34,695mm
Width
Smart #31,844mm-6mm
Tesla Model 31,850mm
Height
Smart #31,556mm
Tesla Model 31,445mm-111mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,844 mm (better) | 1,850 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,088 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 556 mm spare (better) | 550 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 370 L | 561 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1160 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 15 L | 88 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Smart #3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model 3
- A 88 L frunk, one of 13 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 88 L or more.
- At 4,695 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Boot space of 561 L is bigger than 85% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #3 Pro |  Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.40m | 4.70m+295mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.85m+6mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.09m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.45m-111mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.79m | 2.88m+90mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 140mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 370L | 561L* (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1160L | Not available |
| Frunk | 15L | 88L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 11.6m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,830kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 66kWh | 75kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 202 mi | 374 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 250kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,960 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Coupe | Saloon |
| Available | 2024+ | 2019–2023 |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla quotes 561 L behind the rear seats, measured to the roof including the under-floor well (649 L with the 88 L front trunk). Not directly comparable to VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Manufacturer does not publish battery capacity; figure verified from multiple independent sources. Pack size and chemistry changed during production.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 202 miles | 374 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 189 miles | 312 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 172 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 66 kWh | 75 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.8 sec | 4.4 sec (better) |
| Power | 200 kW | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
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.
Smart #3
Pro
Tesla Model 3
Long Range Dual Motor
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
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 | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £27,300 | £14,840 |
| Average used price | £27,300 | £18,820 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 3 listings | 122 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Up 32.6% 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 - Smart #3 Pro
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant96%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users74%
Safety Assist94%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #3Pro | Tesla Model 3Long Range Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 193,121 km |
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.
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
Tesla Model 3
Long Range Dual Motor
Owners love
- Exceptional acceleration and instant torque delivery create an engaging, fun driving experience comparable to sports cars
- Excellent efficiency and low running costs—approximately 1.5-2.2p per mile on home charging versus £16-18p per mile for petrol equivalents
- Minimal maintenance required with no oil changes, long-lasting brake pads due to regenerative braking, and strong battery longevity (minimal degradation over 100k+ miles)
Watch out for
- Suspension is firm and transmits road imperfections harshly, particularly uncomfortable over UK potholes and rough roads; worsens with larger wheel sizes
- Build quality inconsistencies including panel gaps, door/boot misalignment, soft paint prone to stone chips, and varying quality between individual cars
- Autopilot system has documented reliability issues including phantom braking, unreliable high-beam assist, and occasionally dangerous steering corrections
Owner tips
- Prioritize Chinese-built models from 2021 onwards (VIN starting LRW, 71 plates) over US-made Fremont cars for noticeably superior build quality and features like heat pumps
- Use 18-inch wheels with softer sidewall tires for better ride comfort on UK roads; avoid 20-inch Performance wheels which bend easily and worsen harshness
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #3
- £27,3002025EV ExpertsView
Tesla Model 3
- £48,4952020EVHEROView
- £31,9952021EVHEROView
- £22,0922021Car360View
Frequently asked questions
What are the Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 189 miles for the Smart #3 and 312 miles for the Tesla Model 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model 3 goes roughly 123 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart #3 or the Tesla Model 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 Tesla Model 3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #3 or the Tesla Model 3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Smart #3 and 85% for the Tesla Model 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. 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 Tesla Model 3 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 Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Smart #3 and Tesla Model 3 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 .