Has our current favourite small electric SUV, the Smart #1, met its match in new rivals from Hyundai and Peugeot? Let’s find out
Smart #1 Premium List price £38,950 Target Price £38,950 Our current favourite small electric SUV combines a smart, spacious interior with punchy performance, a competitive range and fast charging capability
Head on over to the What Car? website and you can find a list of the longest-range electric vehicles (EVs) on sale. All of these models can officially travel for at least 300 miles between charges – but they’re also all very pricey.
The Hyundai Kona Electric may not qualify for that top 10 list in 2024, but it remains one of the very few sub-£40k EVs to offer an official range of 300 miles plus. Equipped with the larger of the two batteries on offer (now with a 65.4kWh usable capacity), the latest iteration’s official range is an impressive 319 miles. The new model also promises to resolve some of the original’s shortcomings (which included an unsettled ride and a small boot) and adds lots of new features – including an optional heated charging port flap to stop it from freezing shut in the winter.
That long range gives the Kona a strong weapon to wield in the battle against its rivals, chief of which is the Smart #1. With a shorter but still competitive official range of 273 miles, plus punchy performance, a smart interior, surprising practicality and faster charging capability than most rivals, the #1 is the car to beat here.
Our final contender is the stylish Peugeot e-2008. As part of a recent update, it now offers a smidge more power and a marginally bigger battery than before, while all versions now get the larger, 10.0in touchscreen infotainment system previously reserved for higher-spec models. Like the Kona, the e-2008 is being tested in its entry-level trim, while the #1 is in Premium spec – all of which are our recommended choices.
DRIVING
Performance, ride, handling, refinement Wit
