Volkswagen ID.4 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.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
smart #5: not on sale yet, so smart hasn't published 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.
$59,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$58,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Volkswagen ID.4 & smart #5
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Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen ID.4 starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the smart #5 opens at $58,900. That makes the smart #5 the more affordable entry point by $1,090.
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 $65,989 and $64,790 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.
Recalls on our record
Volkswagen ID.4
None open on our record
smart #5
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
77kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW 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 Volkswagen ID.4 features a 12.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 5.3-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 Volkswagen ID.4 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the smart #5. The smart #5 counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Volkswagen ID.4 gets cloth upholstery while the smart #5 offers man-made leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Volkswagen ID.4 and 2-zone in the smart #5.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen ID.4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 545Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds.
The smart #5 counters with its electric setup making 267kW and 373Nm, paired to its gearbox driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The smart #5 has the clear power advantage at 267kW vs 210kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the smart #5 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 77kWh (Volkswagen ID.4) vs 100kWh (smart #5), giving WLTP ranges of 544km and 590km. DC fast charging peaks at 175kW (Volkswagen ID.4) vs 400kW (smart #5).
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen ID.4 measures 4,585mm long on a 2,766mm wheelbase, 110mm 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 543L in the Volkswagen ID.4 and 630L in the smart #5, giving the smart #5 a 87L advantage.
For towing, the smart #5 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.3m to 11.2m
Based on 10.3m 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 (Volkswagen ID.4) vs 5 years (smart #5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen ID.4 if: You or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the smart #5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer smart's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Volkswagen ID.4: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 73
The Volkswagen ID.4 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 73), taking 0 of 9 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Volkswagen ID.4 ahead by 23), energy efficiency (smart #5 ahead by 18), reliability (Volkswagen ID.4 ahead by 12). 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, Volkswagen ID.4 and smart #5?
The smart #5 is the cheapest at $58,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen ID.4 by $1,090.
Which has the longest driving range?
The smart #5 has the most range at 590km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The smart #5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 400kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Volkswagen ID.4 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 with the seats up (1,530L with the seats folded).
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 267kW. The smart #5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.5s.
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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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