Nissan ARIYA vs smart #5
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.
smart #5: not on sale yet, so smart hasn't published price and transmission.
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
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
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
87kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
94kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 400kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Nissan ARIYA features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the smart #5 gets a 13-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Nissan ARIYA stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the smart #5. The smart #5 counters with panoramic roof, V2L, Sennheiser audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Nissan ARIYA uses a Electric producing 160kW and 300Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8 seconds.
The smart #5 counters with its electric setup making 475kW and 710Nm, paired to its gearbox driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.
The smart #5 has the clear power advantage at 475kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the smart #5 is 4.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 63kWh (Nissan ARIYA) vs 100kWh (smart #5), giving WLTP ranges of 385km and 539km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (Nissan ARIYA) vs 400kW (smart #5).
Space & Comfort
The Nissan ARIYA measures 4,595mm long on a 2,775mm wheelbase, 100mm shorter than the smart #5 at 4,695mm (2,900mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the smart #5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 466L in the Nissan ARIYA and 630L in the smart #5, giving the smart #5 a 164L advantage.
For towing, the smart #5 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 850kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.5m
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan ARIYA) vs 5 years (smart #5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan ARIYA if: You or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the smart #5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer smart's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The smart #5 takes 9 of 9 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the smart #5 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan ARIYA and smart #5?
The Nissan ARIYA is the cheapest at $55,840 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The smart #5 has the most range at 539km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The smart #5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 400kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Nissan ARIYA holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for smart #5, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The smart #5 has the largest boot at 630L.
Which can tow the most?
The smart #5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The smart #5 makes the most power at 475kW. The smart #5 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.8s.
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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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