Volvo EX30 vs Smart #1: two compact electric SUVs competing for the urban buyer

The B-SUV electric segment is at its peak in Spain, and two models embody it like no other pair: the Volvo EX30 and the Smart #1. Both share the Geely group’s SEA platform, both measure around 4.2 metres, and both target the same customer: someone who wants a premium electric car, easy to handle in the city, with enough range for weekend getaways and high-end equipment without stepping up to a segment C. But beyond the shared technical base, we are talking about two radically different philosophies.

Context: the rise of the affordable premium electric B-SUV

Until two years ago, buying a premium electric car under 40,000 euros was almost unthinkable. The arrival of Volvo with its EX30 and the reinvention of Smart under the Geely-Mercedes umbrella have redefined the benchmark. It is no longer a choice between range and equipment: you expect everything, in a size that fits in any city-centre parking space.

Brand philosophy: Scandinavian minimalism vs German-Chinese expressiveness

Volvo stands for coherence. The EX30 is Swedish minimalism taken to the extreme: a single central screen, recycled materials, interior ambiences inspired by Nordic landscapes and an almost devout commitment to active safety. The cabin is a manifesto on reducing superfluous elements.

Smart, for its part, has been reborn as an expressive, colourful and youthful brand. The #1 has a two-tone floating roof, bold light signatures in its headlamps, a theatrical ambient lighting interior and a dual screen setup with almost video-game-like graphics. Where Volvo whispers, Smart shouts.

Volvo EX30 — from 35,800 €

The EX30 comes in Single Motor (200 kW / 272 CV, rear-wheel drive) and Twin Motor Performance (315 kW / 428 CV, AWD) versions. The Extended Range variant is rated at up to 475 km WLTP with a 69 kWh nominal NMC battery (~64 kWh usable), and accepts DC charging at 153 kW, going from 10 to 80% in about 26-27 minutes. It measures 4.23 metres, making it the smallest Volvo in history.

Smart #1 — from 37,900 €

The Smart #1 shares the SEA platform but offers a more varied range, including the radical Brabus variant with 315 kW (428 CV) and all-wheel drive. The Premium version, the most balanced, offers 200 kW (272 CV), rear-wheel drive, a 66 kWh nominal battery (62 kWh usable) and a homologated range of 440 km WLTP. It accepts DC charging up to 150 kW, completing 10-80% in about 30 minutes. It measures 4.27 metres, slightly longer than the EX30, but with a longer wheelbase (2.75 m) that translates into more rear space.

Dimensions and urban usability

The EX30 wins on pure agility: less length, a tight turning circle and ergonomics designed for the solo driver or a couple. The #1, by contrast, prioritises habitability: a sliding rear bench, more room for three adults in the back and a slightly more generous boot (323 vs 318 litres, not a big difference, but with better use of space in the Smart).

Charging, real-world range and efficiency

In real conditions, both hover around 360-400 km combined. The Volvo is slightly more efficient on the motorway; the Smart copes better with cold thanks to somewhat more refined thermal management. The charging curves are almost identical: sustained peak around 130 kW during the middle phase, progressive drop from 60%.

Interior, technology and onboard experience

The EX30 polarises: those who love minimalism adore it; those who need physical buttons suffer. Everything goes through the central 12.3-inch screen, including the instrument cluster (there is no screen behind the steering wheel). The #1 offers a dual screen (9.2" + 12.8"), an optional head-up display and a virtual assistant with an animated avatar (the fox) that is charming for the first few weeks and dispensable after that.

Safety and dynamics

Here Volvo plays at home. The EX30 comes as standard with an advanced driver-assistance package, cyclist detection, state-of-the-art autonomous urban emergency braking and the brand’s historic promise: zero fatalities in its vehicles. The Smart #1 also scores highly in Euro NCAP (five stars), but Volvo’s aura of safety remains a sales argument that is hard to replicate.

Final price with incentives in Spain

With the current Plan Auto+ and dealer discounts, the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range can come down to around 36,000-38,000 € depending on configuration and applicable aid, while the Smart #1 Pro+ or Premium costs around 40,000-44,000 € before aggressive offers. Minimal difference in the wallet for equivalent versions; maximum difference in personality.

Summary table and scoring

Verdict: which is the best urban electric SUV?

If you prioritise range, safety and timeless design, the Volvo EX30 is the rational choice. If you are looking for character, interior space and a car that stands out at any traffic light, the Smart #1 offers a more emotional proposition. Both are, today, the two best options for anyone wanting to enter the premium electric world without spending 50,000 €.

Frequently asked questions

Which electric SUV has more range, the Volvo EX30 or the Smart #1?
The Volvo EX30 Extended Range is rated at 475 km WLTP versus the 440 km of the Smart #1 Premium, a difference of about 35 km in favour of the Swedish model.

Which charges faster on DC?
They are very close: the EX30 accepts up to 153 kW and the Smart #1 up to 150 kW. In practice, 10-80% takes 26-30 minutes on ultra-fast chargers.

Do the Volvo EX30 and the Smart #1 share a platform?
Yes, both are built on the Geely group’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform, although each brand applies its own dynamic, software and design development.

Which is better for exclusively urban use?
The Volvo EX30 is slightly more compact (4.23 m) and more agile in manoeuvres, making it marginally better in the city. The Smart #1 makes up for it with greater habitability if you regularly carry rear passengers.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

S

Crossoversmart #17 versions · from 37,900 €

Off-RoadVolvo EX307 versions · from 39,050 €