MG ZS EV vs smart #3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
MG ZS EV
$51,990 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
SUV
Electric
Electric Motor
115kW
—
ANCAP: no data
359L
smart #3
From $52,900
SUV
Electric
Electric
200kW
—
5★ ANCAP
370L
MG ZS EV: we're still completing turning circle, braked towing and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The MG ZS EV starts from $51,990 before on-road costs, while the smart #3 opens at $52,900. That makes the MG ZS EV the more affordable entry point by $910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $57,189 and $58,190 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
68.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 92kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 92kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
62kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The MG ZS EV features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the smart #3 gets a 12.8-inch display and 9.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MG ZS EV stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the smart #3. The smart #3 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate, Beats audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The MG ZS EV uses a Electric Motor producing 115kW and 280Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The smart #3 responds with a Electric making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.
The smart #3 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 115kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the smart #3 is 2.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 72.6kWh (MG ZS EV) vs 66kWh (smart #3), giving WLTP ranges of 440km and 435km. DC fast charging peaks at 92kW (MG ZS EV) vs 150kW (smart #3).
Space & Comfort
The MG ZS EV measures 4,323mm long on a 2,585mm wheelbase, 77mm shorter than the smart #3 at 4,400mm (2,785mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the smart #3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 359L in the MG ZS EV and 370L in the smart #3, giving the smart #3 a 11L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m diameter
Average
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 10 years / 250,000km (MG ZS EV) vs 5 years / 150,000km (smart #3). The MG ZS EV has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MG ZS EV if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the smart #3 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer smart's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The smart #3 takes 5 of 9 key spec categories. The MG ZS EV adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, MG ZS EV and smart #3?
The MG ZS EV is the cheapest at $51,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the smart #3 by $910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The MG ZS EV has the most range at 440km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The smart #3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 150kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
smart #3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for MG ZS EV, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The smart #3 has the largest boot at 370L.
Which can tow the most?
The smart #3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG ZS EV has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The smart #3 makes the most power at 200kW. The smart #3 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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