Item: Smart EQ Fortwo
Rating: 2
Author: What Car? Team

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Smart EQ Fortwo Coupé is priced in line with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-electric">small electric</a> city car rivals&nbsp;including&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17244">Volkswagen e-Up</a>. The bigger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> costs a lot more.

What about charging times? It can charge at up to 22kW from a commercial charging point, which will take the battery from 10% to 80% in 40mins. From a home wallbox you're looking at 3.5hrs to do the same charge, or 8.5hrs from a standard three-pin plug.

We'd suggest sticking with the entry-level Exclusive trim level to keep the Fortwo good value. It comes with LED daytime driving lights, 16in alloy wheels, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and automatic climate control plus the infotainment features, parking sensors and camera.&nbsp;

If you want more gear and don’t mind spending a bit more, stepping up to Exclusive trim isn’t too much of a leap and adds full LED headlights, automatic wipers and leather seats. The Brabus Line trim upgrades the car’s look to something sportier, but&nbsp;even though the price increase isn’t huge, it’s hard for us to recommend it just for cosmetic upgrades.&nbsp;

The Fortwo hasn’t been safety tested by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/top-10-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n20301">Euro NCAP</a> since 2014, and that was in petrol guise. Back then, it received a four-star rating, which isn’t as good as the five stars (out of five) that the Zoe scored. The e-Up scored only three stars overall, but that was based on much more stringent tests carried out in 2019. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/smart">Smart</a> gives you&nbsp;automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> – a feature we consider important on a modern car – as standard on the Fortwo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The standard warranty is three years with no mileage limit. For comparison, the Zoe's lasts for five years or 100,000 miles. The Fortwo and the Zoe come with eight-year battery warranties, but Smart caps the mileage at 62,000 miles, while Renault gives you&nbsp;100,000.

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&nbsp;on a full battery charge? Officially, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/smart">Smart</a> 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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a> will officially do up to 145 miles, although you're likely to get&nbsp;less in reality.&nbsp;

What about traditional performance figures? The 80bhp electric motor, juiced up by a 17.6kWh battery, is quiet, smooth and, in typical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-electric">electric car</a> fashion, effortlessly quick from the get-go. The moment&nbsp;you put your foot down there's an instant hit of shove from the motor that makes it feel far zippier around town than its 0-62mph sprint time of 11.6sec (11.9sec in the Cabrio) suggests.&nbsp;

Even so, there are quicker rivals out there, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a> sprinting to 62mph in 9.6sec and the Mini Electric in 7.3sec. The Fortwo also feels less adept at motorway driving than those rivals, and its rate of acceleration drops&nbsp;off markedly the nearer you get to its top speed of 81mph.

Electric vehicles can feed energy back into the battery when you slow down, which is great because it recovers&nbsp;power that would otherwise be lost. Unfortunately, it can also lead to an inconsistent-feeling, grabby brake pedal. The Fortwo is not immune to that, but it's not as bad as in some cars, and you find yourself adjusting to it with time.

It drops behind its main rivals when it comes to&nbsp;handling and comfort. While the <a href="https://whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17244">Volkswagen e-Up</a> 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.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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60kW EQ

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If ever a car was destined to be electric, surely it’s the Smart EQ&nbsp;Fortwo – a tiny two-seater&nbsp;that's most at home in clogged, smogged cities.

The Fortwo lets you avoid the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/londons-ultra-low-emission-zone-everything-you-need-to-know/n15049">ultra low emissions zone</a> (ULEZ) charges in London and other cities for a start. Its famed ability to park nose-to-kerb will also appeal to anyone who's ever spent what feels like hours hunting around for a suitable space.

The UK charging infrastructure is gradually improving, so using an electric car is getting easier to manage, whether your main journeys are to get to work, go shopping&nbsp;or do the school run.&nbsp;Oh yes, and&nbsp;the Government will give you a grant to reduce&nbsp;the initial purchase cost. 

If all that sounds tickety-boo, don’t forget that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/smart">Smart</a> – which began as a collaboration between Mercedes and the Swatch&nbsp;watch people – is far from alone in offering <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-electric">small electric&nbsp;cars</a>.

Other than the even shorter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroën Ami</a>, little else matches the Fortwo's dinky proportions,&nbsp;but the closest rivals for size and price are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17244">Volkswagen e-Up</a>.&nbsp;The Fortwo comes in Coupé and&nbsp;Cabrio form, both with two seats, so if you&nbsp;need four seats, find out about its bigger sibling in our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/forfour/hatchback/review/n18072">Smart EQ Forfour review</a>.

This Smart EQ Fortwo review will help you decide which small electric city car best meets your needs, comparing it with its key rivals in all the important areas. We'll cover performance, handling, interior quality, electric range and more, and let you know whether the Fortwo's running costs are as tiny as the vehicle itself.

When you've decided which make and model of car to buy, make sure you get it for the best price by searching our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>. It's a good place to find the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/smart">Smart car deals</a>.

The steering wheel and driver's seat in the Smart EQ Fortwo have height adjustment as standard, so you can find a&nbsp;decent driving position. It's not perfect, though, because of the hard, flat chair and the lack of reach adjustment for the wheel. You'll find the same in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17244">Volkswagen e-Up</a>&nbsp;and other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-electric">small electric</a> rivals.

You sit quite high up, giving you a good view forwards, but the thick rear pillars obstruct over-the-shoulder visibility, and it's worse in the Cabrio when the roof is up. That can be a problem when you're reversing or pulling out of junctions, although you do get rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera on all versions to help you out.

The interior is solidly constructed&nbsp;with some glossy plastics set against a fabric dash. That said, you can't ignore the fact that there are also cheaper plastics and slightly low-rent switches dotted about.&nbsp;

All versions of the Fortwo come with an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. You also get&nbsp;Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring, which allows you to use your music and navigation apps on the screen. That makes up for the fact that you don’t get built-in sat-nav on any trim level.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/smart">Smart</a> has an&nbsp;app you can download to your phone and use to check your car's location, how much battery charge it has and other information.

City-Car

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

FORTWO COUPE

Small electric car has proportions that are perfect for city driving, but the poor range is limiting elsewhere

The Smart EQ Fortwo’s interior is small, but there's still enough room for a couple of tall adults to get pretty comfortable. There’s some storage space, with door pockets, two cupholders and a little glovebox.

Boot space in the Coupé is officially 260 litres, which is small, but is still a bit more than&nbsp;in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n17244">Volkswagen e-Up</a> (251 litres). The Fortwo Cabrio’s boot is much smaller, at 190 litres. Even so, both are just big enough to cram a couple of carry-on suitcases on board&nbsp;with a bit of squeezing and shoving.&nbsp;

Being the Fortwo model –&nbsp;rather than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/forfour/hatchback/review/n18072">Smart EQ Forfour</a>, which we've reviewed separately&nbsp;– there are no rear seats.

If you need a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-electric">small electric car</a> that can carry up to four passengers, check out the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> or the e-Up. For something seriously spacious for not a lot more money, there's also the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV</a>.

Premium

premium

Exclusive

exclusive

Edition Bluedawn

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BRABUS Line

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Racing Green Edition

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If you were to describe the proportions of the ultimate city car, the Smart EQ fortwo might well provide the template. Nothing with doors offers such dinky dimensions that allow you to scoot through gaps and park so freely. That aside, the fortwo's lack of refinement, practicality and, by modern standards, electric range, limits it far more than other electric city cars.

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Clever interior space </li> <li>Quiet and comfortable ride </li> <li>Good visibility </li> <li>Plenty of safety tech </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>Outstanding value for money</li></ul>

City cars are all about diminutive size and manoeuvrability because they invariably spend most of their time on our increasingly crowded urban streets.

They do need to be big enough for a couple of adults, with back seats that’ll suffice for occasional use by people – or as a dumping ground for a couple of large shopping bags – but they must also be small enough to nip in and out of traffic, and squeeze into tight parking spaces.

Out-and-out acceleration isn’t crucial, but there must be enough oomph in the lower gears to scoot into gaps that appear in the traffic. Running costs should be low, too.

Fortunately there’s never been a better line-up of city cars on offer. Kia's Picanto mixes a neat, functional interior with tidy handling and a surprisingly big boot, while the Skoda Citigo and Suzuki Celerio are cheaper and even more frugal.

City

What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top&nbsp;versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair. The Audi A5&nbsp;Cabriolet, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular A5&nbsp;– refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

For a blend of&nbsp;rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for,&nbsp;the Audi TT is a brilliant option. But the Mercedes CLA offers plenty of style and substance to match, while the Aston Martin DB11 will give you serious performance.

Coupe

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals. These cars qualify for the maximum plug-in car grant (PICG) of £3500.

The Renault Zoe is one of the most affordable options and has a surprisingly long range of between 120 and 180 miles (depending on the weather and the road type). However, the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf are more practical and more accomplished to drive, even if the latter doesn't have a particularly long range between charges.

At the other end of the scale, Tesla’s ground-up EV philosophy – and the American brand’s own network of super-fast chargers – makes the Model S a tempting choice. It has seating for up to seven, an classy interior and a long enough real-world range to make inter-city travel a real possibility.

Electric

Smart EQ Fortwo review

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Read review covering Smart EQ Fortwo boot space, size and dimensions, front and rear seat comfort by the expert What Car? test team.

The Smart EQ Fortwo’s interior is small, but there's still enough room for a couple of tall adults to get pretty comfortable. There’s some storage space, with door pockets, two cupholders and a little glovebox.,Boot space in the Coupé is officially 260 litres, which is small, but is still a bit more than in the Volkswagen e-Up (251 litres). The Fortwo Cabrio’s boot is much smaller, at 190 litres. Even so, both are just big enough to cram a couple of carry-on suitcases on board with a bit of squeezing and shoving. ,Being the Fortwo model – rather than the Smart EQ Forfour, which we've reviewed separately – there are no rear seats.If you need a small electric car that can carry up to four passengers, check out the Fiat 500, Mini Electric, Renault Zoe or the e-Up. For something seriously spacious for not a lot more money, there's also the MG ZS EV.

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