Smart Fortwo Review: Compact City Car With Electric Option

The Smart Fortwo has long been synonymous with urban mobility, offering a unique solution for drivers navigating congested streets and tight parking spots. Its diminutive size and clever engineering make it a standout choice for city life, though it comes with trade-offs for those venturing beyond metropolitan areas. This review delves into its design, performance, features, and real-world usability, drawing from expert insights across multiple generations.

Design and Dimensions: Built for the Urban Jungle

At just over 2.7 meters long, the Smart Fortwo boasts an incredibly compact footprint that allows it to slip into parking spaces half the size of those needed by conventional cars. This short wheelbase combined with a narrow width makes it exceptionally maneuverable, turning heads and easing the daily parking grind in crowded lots.

The rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout places the powertrain under the trunk floor, optimizing interior space for two passengers. Recent models have gained slight width for better shoulder room, allowing two adults to sit comfortably side by side without feeling cramped. Available as a coupe or cabriolet, the drop-top version adds open-air fun, particularly appealing for short city jaunts.

• Length: Approximately 106 inches, ideal for perpendicular parking.
• Turning circle: One of the tightest in its class, enhancing agility in tight spots.
• Customization: Options like heated seats, ambient lighting, and premium audio elevate its quirky appeal.

While the exterior screams individuality with bold colors and plastic body panels, the interior uses innovative touches like smartphone integration for infotainment, keeping costs down while staying modern.

Powertrains: From Turbo Petrol to Electric Efficiency

The Fortwo offers a range of engines suited to its lightweight chassis. The standard turbocharged 0.9-liter three-cylinder produces 89 horsepower, delivering peppy low-speed acceleration perfect for stop-start traffic. Paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT), it provides responsive shifts, a vast improvement over earlier automated manuals plagued by lag.

Electric variants, like the EQ model, feature an 82bhp motor with instant torque for smooth city launches. Its 17.2kWh battery yields a modest real-world range, prioritizing urban use over long hauls. Fuel economy for petrol models hovers around 36-39 mpg on premium fuel, respectable but not class-leading given the car’s size.

The DCT shines in traffic, shifting cleanly in auto mode or responding quickly to manual inputs, though the turbo engine can feel laggy at low revs. Electric models excel in silence and smoothness, making them ideal for zero-emission zones.

Driving Experience: Agile but Firm

In city environments, the Fortwo feels like a go-kart—nimble steering and a tiny turning radius make it playful and precise. Rear-wheel drive adds balance, with the short wheelbase enabling sharp maneuvers. However, the ride is often criticized as harsh over bumps, transmitting road imperfections into the cabin.

Handling is responsive for urban dodging, but clumsy on highways where wind noise and vibrations from the three-cylinder engine become noticeable. Blind spots are large, especially in the cabriolet, demanding careful use of mirrors. Overall, it’s a likable companion for short trips, less so for extended drives.

Practicality and Interior Comfort

Space is tailored for two: front seats offer decent support, but rear visibility suffers. Cargo capacity is limited, with the rear engine encroaching on trunk space—practical for groceries but not family hauls. Material quality has improved in later generations, though some plastics feel cheap.

Infotainment borrows from Renault siblings, featuring a central touchscreen with smartphone mirroring for navigation and media. Switchgear is intuitive, and options like JBL audio enhance the experience. Safety features include stability control and multiple airbags, though crash test ratings reflect its lightweight build.

Running Costs and Ownership

Low purchase prices and cheap insurance appeal to urbanites, with electric models benefiting from grants and low running costs. Maintenance is straightforward due to shared platforms with Renault, but premium fuel requirements for petrol variants add up. Resale values hold decently for a niche car.

• Pros for costs: Excellent parking reduces fines; electric efficiency cuts fuel bills.
• Cons: Limited range may require frequent charging; parts availability varies by region.

Smart Fortwo vs. Competitors

Compared to rivals like the Fiat 500 or Mini Cooper, the Fortwo prioritizes parking over all-round ability. It’s smaller than the Renault Twingo (its platform twin) and more specialized than larger city cars.

The Fortwo wins for sheer compactness but lags in refinement.

Electric Fortwo: A Green Urban Option

The EQ variant addresses emissions with rear-drive fun and a turning circle that’s unbeatable. Acceleration to 30mph is swift, suiting stoplights, but range limits it to daily commutes—around 80 miles in mixed use. As the only electric cabriolet, it’s a niche gem for eco-conscious city drivers.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

• Pros: Unmatched parking prowess, fun city handling, innovative features, electric efficiency.
• Cons: Harsh ride, limited range/space, average materials, highway struggles.

Is the Smart Fortwo Right for You?

If your drives are under 50 miles daily in a city, the Fortwo delivers joy and practicality. For families or road-trippers, look elsewhere. Later models (2016+) refined the formula, making it a solid pick for urban rebels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Smart Fortwo good for parking?

Yes, its tiny size and tight turning circle make it the best in class for tight spaces.

How fuel-efficient is the petrol Fortwo?

Expect 36-39 mpg overall, though it requires premium fuel.

What’s the range of the electric model?

Real-world range is about 80 miles, ideal for city use.

Is the ride comfortable?

It’s firm and jittery on rough roads, better suited to smooth urban surfaces.

Can it handle highways?

It’s capable but noisy and less stable at speed.