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smart #1 vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (368 HP vs 325 HP), boot space and price (40,700 £ vs 28,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – smart #1 or VW Golf?

smart #1 vs VW Golf: Key differences

smart #1

  • a bit more power
  • clearly more electric range
  • very slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
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VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • clearly lighter
  • a bit more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

#1

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

VW Golf is considerably cheaper – starting at 28,300 £ , while the smart #1 costs 40,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12,424 £.

As for electric range, the smart #1 offers clearly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 257 km more than the VW Golf.

Golf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the smart #1 offers a bit more power – delivering 368 HP compared to 325 HP. That’s roughly 43 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the smart #1 is very slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the VW Golf takes 5.3 s. That’s about 0.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the smart #1 delivers somewhat more torque with 470 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 50 Nm more.

#1

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is clearly lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,900 kg. The difference is around 593 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers a bit more boot space – 381 L compared to 313 L. That’s a difference of about 68 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries a bit more – 508 kg compared to 425 kg. That’s a difference of about 83 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The smart #1 stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

£40,705
#1

smart #1

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 368 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 18.2 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 400 km
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Frequently compared as well

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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

smart #1

The Smart #1 feels like a breath of fresh air in the compact EV world, pairing playful styling with usable space and a cabin that punches above its size. It skips the fuss and delivers an easygoing, city-friendly driving experience with clever features that make it a sensible, slightly cheeky choice for everyday motoring.

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Reviews smart #1

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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smart #1
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
40,700 £
Price
28,300 - 46,700 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
18.2 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
25 - 173 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,900 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
313 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,822 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
425 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
368 HP
Power HP
116 - 325 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.3 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
470 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
271 kW
Power kW
85 - 239 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2024
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F, B
Brand
smart
Brand
VW
What drive types are available for the smart #1?

The smart #1 is available as All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.