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Smart #5 vs VW ID.Buzz Cargo
At a glance
In this comparison, Smart #5 leads on value for money and city driving, while the VW ID.Buzz Cargo leads on charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart #5 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 VW ID.Buzz Cargo if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
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
VW
5.2
Family
Smart
9
VW
8.6
Too close to call
ChargingVW
Smart
5
VW
5.8
City DrivingSmart
Smart
3.2
VW
1.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Smart #5
Pro
- £4,421 cheaper
- 86 miles more WLTP range
- 125 kW more power
- 2 more seats
- 600 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £39,800 (better) | £44,221 |
| Official range | 288 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Boot space | 630 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Align by:
Smart #5
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Length
Smart #54,695mm-17mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo4,712mm
Width
Smart #51,920mm-65mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo1,985mm
Height
Smart #51,705mm-194mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo1,899mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,695 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,920 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,169 mm (better) | 2,211 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,899 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 12.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 480 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 3 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 630 L | Not available |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1530 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 47 L (better) | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 1,000 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.
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Smart #5 Pro |  VW ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.70m | 4.71m+17mm |
| Width | 1.92m | 1.99m+65mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.17m | 2.21m+42mm |
| Height | 1.71m | 1.90m+194mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.99m+89mm |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 630L | Not available |
| Boot (seats down) | 1530L | Not available |
| Frunk | 47L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 3 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 12.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,200kg (better) | 2,288kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 76kWh (better) | 59kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 288 mi (better) | 202 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 185kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £39,800 (better) | £44,221 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Van |
| Available | 2025+ | 2022+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 288 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 202 miles (better) | 168 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 185 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 185 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 76 kWh (better) | 59 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec | Not available |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 373 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | 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.
Smart #5
Pro
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Commerce 59 kWh
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
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 - VW ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce 59 kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist73%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Smart #5Pro | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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. 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
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Commerce 59 kWh
Owners love
- Excellent real-world range of 250-280 miles on a single charge, sufficient for typical weekly commercial and personal use
- Fast charging capability at 170-180kW enables 5-80% charges in approximately 30 minutes
- Smooth, car-like driving experience with nimble handling, strong acceleration, and minimal cabin noise
Watch out for
- Very limited payload capacity and 1,000kg towing limit significantly restrict commercial use compared to traditional vans
- Electronics and infotainment system suffer from poor usability, unintuitive menus, and touchscreen-only climate controls lacking physical buttons
- Regenerative braking doesn't bring vehicle to complete stop, auto hold feature causes grabby/difficult low-speed maneuvering, and brakes occasionally groan
Owner tips
- Verify real-world range expectations against actual conditions when fully loaded or towing, as winter driving and cargo weight significantly reduce efficiency
- Enable 'B' mode regenerative braking and auto hold by default to improve driving feel and prevent rolling on hills
Buying options
Get a quote
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.Buzz Cargo worth the extra £4,421 over the Smart #5?
The VW ID.Buzz Cargo costs £4,421 more than the Smart #5. For that premium it adds 35 kW faster peak rapid charging. The Smart #5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 86 miles more WLTP range, 125 kW more power and 2 more seats (5 versus 3). 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 VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
The Smart #5 is £4,421 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £200 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 £4,421 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 VW ID.Buzz Cargo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 202 miles for the Smart #5 and 168 miles for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Smart #5 goes roughly 34 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 Smart #5 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
The Smart #5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 65 mm narrower than the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5 and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Smart #5 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Smart #5 and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. 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 VW ID.Buzz Cargo'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
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 VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Smart #5 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the best city EVsWhere the Smart #5 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Smart #5 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Smart #5 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the Smart #5 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .