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VW Polo vs smart #5 comparison

Compare performance (207 HP vs 646 HP), boot space and price (17,300 £ vs 39,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – VW Polo or smart #5?

VW Polo vs smart #5: Key differences

VW Polo

4.2 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • substantially lighter
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smart #5

4.9 (5 Reviews)
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  • clearly more power
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Polo

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 Polo is clearly cheaper – starting at 17,300 £ , while the smart #5 costs 39,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 22,084 £.

#5

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the smart #5 offers clearly more power – delivering 646 HP compared to 207 HP. That’s roughly 439 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the smart #5 is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the VW Polo takes 6.5 s. That’s about 2.7 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the smart #5 delivers considerably more torque with 710 Nm compared to 320 Nm. That’s about 390 Nm more.

Polo

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 Polo is substantially lighter – 1,143 kg compared to 2,200 kg. The difference is around 1,057 kg.

Looking at boot space, the smart #5 offers substantially more boot space – 630 L compared to 351 L. That’s a difference of about 279 L.

When it comes to payload, the smart #5 carries barely more – 502 kg compared to 457 kg. That’s a difference of about 45 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The smart #5 is clearly superior overall 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.

from £39,300
#5

smart #5

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 340 - 646 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 18.4 - 19.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 465 - 590 km
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Frequently compared as well

VW Polo
VW T-Cross
VS
The VW Polo is a nimble, wallet-friendly hatch that makes city driving and tight parking effortless, while the VW T-Cross trades the Polo’s sprightliness for SUV practicality — higher seating, a roomier boot and a more commanding road presence. Pick the Polo if you want cheap, lively motoring; …
Toyota Yaris
VW Polo
VS
Choosing between the Toyota Yaris and the VW Polo comes down to whether you prioritise reliability and efficiency or a more refined drive and cabin quality. Both are compact, practical hatchbacks ideal for city life, but the Yaris leans toward excellent fuel economy and low running costs while the …
VW Polo
smart #5

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

VW Polo

The Polo is a well-built, comfortable hatchback that blends a refined cabin and composed manners into a compact package. It's easy to live with day to day, offering sensible space, tidy controls and reassuring quality that make it a practical choice for city or longer trips.

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Reviews VW Polo

4.2 (4 Reviews)
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Michel
13 Jun 2026, 15:24:46

Nice, spacious car with many options available (panoramic roof and travel assist).

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

smart #5

The Smart #5 continues to build on the brand's legacy of compact and efficient urban vehicles, now infused with a more modern and stylish design. Its sleek appearance is complemented by a spacious interior, offering comfort without compromising its compact nature. This model is ideal for city dwellers seeking a blend of innovation, practicality, and style in their daily drives.

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Reviews smart #5

4.9 (5 Reviews)
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Stefan
31 Jan 2026, 22:25:16

I spent a weekend with the Brabus #5 and I’m thrilled! Extremely quiet, even at just under 220 km/h. Very good ride comfort, especially if, like me, you prefer a softer setup for better suspension comfort!
Brutal acceleration that only really hits from about 50 km/h and culminates in a 0–200 km/h sprint in 10.2 seconds… There are almost no cars up to roughly 1,000 hp that are faster!
The actual charging performance is, I believe, the best of any passenger car available in the EU (only Zeekr shows a little more on paper, but probably not in real life) — it charges at peaks up to 425 kW! 10–80% in 13 minutes and 5–100% in 28 minutes.
The fit and finish are in places better than the Mercedes E‑Class...

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Stefan
4 Dec 2025, 21:11:24

Apart from the hopefully soon improved/reduced chimes and the horrendously hard-to-reach mute for the speed warning, the car is really a knockout!
Very, very quiet, comfortable, extremely fast (Brabus version), great build quality, great equipment!

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VS
The VW Polo is the sharp, no-nonsense hatchback that nails everyday practicality — nimble in town, economical to run and pleasantly composed on the motorway. The VW Taigo swaps a bit of luggage room and rear headroom for SUV flair, higher seating and a more eye-catching cabin, so pick the Polo for …
Mercedes GLB
smart #5
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The Mercedes GLB is a sensible, slightly boxy premium compact SUV that delivers real-world space, family practicality and a composed long-distance ride, while the smart #5 is a punchy electric crossover that trades rear-seat room for sharp styling, low running costs and urban agility. If you …
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SEAT Arona and VW Polo go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the SEAT Arona or the VW Polo is …
VW ID.3
VW Polo
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Comparing the ID.3 and the Polo pits Volkswagen's all-electric compact against its conventional small hatchback, highlighting a choice between emissions-free efficiency and traditional practicality. The ID.3 emphasizes electric range, advanced tech and a spacious cabin, while the Polo offers lower …
VW Polo
VW ID.Polo
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VW Polo and VW ID.Polo go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the VW Polo or the VW ID.Polo is …
BMW iX3
smart #5
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In the face-off between the BMW iX3 and the smart #5, the iX3 stands out with its luxurious appeal and performance-oriented engineering, characteristic of BMW's commitment to electric mobility. Meanwhile, the smart #5 offers an enticing package for urban dwellers with its compact design and …
Ford Puma
VW Polo
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Comparing the Ford Puma and the VW Polo comes down to choosing between a compact crossover that brings extra practicality and a semi-sporty feel (the Puma) and a traditional supermini that prioritizes refinement, build quality and precise handling (the VW Polo). Both are excellent everyday cars — …
Mercedes A Class
VW Polo
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Mercedes A Class and VW Polo go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the Mercedes A Class or the …
VW Polo
smart #5

Costs and Consumption
Price
17,300 - 30,800 £
Price
39,300 - 52,200 £
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
18.4 - 19.9 kWh/100km
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
465 - 590 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
74.4 - 94 kWh
co2
116 - 148 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,143 - 1,378 kg
Curb weight
2,200 - 2,378 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
630 L
Length
-
Length
4,695 mm
Width
1,751 mm
Width
1,920 mm
Height
-
Height
1,705 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,530 L
Payload
432 - 457 kg
Payload
475 - 502 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
80 - 207 HP
Power HP
340 - 646 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 15.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 6.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
200 - 210 km/h
Torque
93 - 320 Nm
Torque
373 - 710 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
59 - 152 kW
Power kW
250 - 475 kW
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
VW
Brand
smart
What drive types are available for the VW Polo?

The VW Polo is available as Front-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.