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Smart #5 vs Volvo XC40 Recharge
Selected trimSingle Motor FWD · 2022-23Change trim264 mi · 69 kWh · £46,505
At a glance
The Volvo XC40 Recharge was replaced by the Volvo EX40 in 2024. Compare the Smart #5 with the Volvo EX40
In this comparison, Smart #5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Volvo XC40 Recharge if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart #5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueSmart
Smart
6.4
Volvo
4.8
Motorway RangeVolvo
Smart
2.7
Volvo
3.9
FamilySmart
Smart
9
Volvo
6
ChargingSmart
Smart
5
Volvo
3
Cost Per MileVolvo
Smart
1.6
Volvo
3.8
City DrivingVolvo
Smart
3.2
Volvo
4.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
No standout advantages - closely matched on the measurable specs.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £39,800 (better) | £46,505 |
| Official range | 288 miles (better) | 264 miles |
| Boot space | 630 L (better) | 419 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 37 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 7.4 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Smart #5
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Length
Smart #54,695mm
Volvo XC40 Recharge4,425mm-270mm
Width
Smart #51,920mm
Volvo XC40 Recharge1,863mm-57mm
Height
Smart #51,705mm
Volvo XC40 Recharge1,647mm-58mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,695 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,920 mm | 1,863 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,169 mm | 2,034 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,647 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 11.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 480 mm spare | 537 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 630 L (better) | 419 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1530 L (better) | 1290 L |
| Frunk | 47 L (better) | 31 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 1,500 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #5 Pro |  Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.70m | 4.42m-270mm |
| Width | 1.92m | 1.86m-57mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.17m | 2.03m-135mm |
| Height | 1.71m | 1.65m-58mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.70m-198mm |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm | 175mm-15mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 630L (better) | 419L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1530L (better) | 1290L |
| Frunk | 47L (better) | 31L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 11.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,200kg | 2,020kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 76kWh (better) | 69kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 288 mi (better) | 264 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 130kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £39,800 (better) | £46,505 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2022–2023 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 288 miles (better) | 264 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 202 miles | 220 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 37 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 130 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 185 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 76 kWh (better) | 64 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 7.4 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 170 kW |
| Torque | 373 Nm (better) | 330 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
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 #5
Pro
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
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.
Smart #5
All 3 videos
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 - Smart #5 Pro
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users84%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor FWD
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant97%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist76%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 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 #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
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
Owners love
- Excellent ride comfort with well-controlled suspension and compliant handling, even over poor road surfaces
- Outstanding interior quality with premium materials, supportive seats, and thoughtful design details
- Strong dual-motor performance (0-62 mph in 4.7-4.9 seconds) with instant torque and impressive acceleration
Watch out for
- Expensive pricing (£50-60k+) with poor value proposition compared to competitors like Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, and Skoda Enyaq
- Significant software and infotainment reliability issues including system crashes, navigation failures, and random reboots at highway speeds, reported across multiple owners
- Poor efficiency and heavy weight (504kg heavier than petrol equivalent), resulting in disappointing real-world range of 200-240 miles for advertised 260+ mile capacity
Owner tips
- Choose 19-inch summer tires over 20-inch wheels for noticeably better ride quality and reduced road noise
- Select the twin-motor variant for superior range (334 miles) and faster 200kW charging if budget allows; single motor charges slower at 130kW peak
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Smart #5
No active listings.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
- £23,9902023Cars2View
- £22,4992023Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo XC40 Recharge worth the extra £6,705 over the Smart #5?
The Volvo XC40 Recharge costs £6,705 more than the Smart #5. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Smart #5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 211 litres more boot space and 80 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart #5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Smart #5 or the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
The Smart #5 is £6,705 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £176 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart #5 comes out roughly £6,585 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Smart #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 202 miles for the Smart #5 and 220 miles for the Volvo XC40 Recharge - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Volvo XC40 Recharge goes roughly 18 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-37 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Smart #5 or the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 57 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 537 mm of total clearance for the Volvo XC40 Recharge and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #5 or the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #5 and 84% for the Volvo XC40 Recharge. That gives the Smart #5 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #5's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge'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 Smart #5 comparisons
More Volvo XC40 Recharge 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 #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best family EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge 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 .