Smart EQ Fortwo review

Right, let’s answer that burning question right from the off: how many miles of range will you get out of a Smart EQ Fortwo on a full battery charge? Officially, Smart says 81 miles, but in reality you’ll struggle to match that, even if you stick to where it’s most efficient: in town.

We managed just 59 miles in our Real Range tests, which replicate real-world driving on a mix of roads. To give you some context, the Mini Electric will officially do up to 145 miles, although you're likely to get less in reality. 

It drops behind its main rivals when it comes to handling and comfort. While the Volkswagen e-Up manages bumps better than even some more expensive cars, the Fortwo jiggles and jostles around over pretty much every imperfection the road throws up.

This is more an annoyance than a significant fault, but you’ll definitely notice the lack of comfort over sharp speed bumps. It does feel more settled the faster you go, though.

The e-Up also exhibits greater dynamism along twisty roads, with more direct steering and less body lean, but the ForTwo pulls things back with its nimbleness in town. Its light steering and ultra-compact proportions allow it to nip through the smallest of gaps easily and slot into the tightest parking spaces. In the city, then, it’s hard to beat.

All electric cars offer near-silent acceleration due to their whispering electric motors, but as you pick up speed in the Fortwo, that’s all undone by the shrill wind noise, especially from around the roof of the Cabrio model. There's plenty of road noise, too.