Summary


The Smart Fortwo was a small three-door city car that was available in hatchback and cabriolet body styles. This model is the third and final generation of the petrol-powered Fortwo, which was discontinued after the Smart brand became electric-only in 2018.

This page covers both the Fortwo coupé (actually a hatchback) and cabriolet, powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine. We have a separate page for the EQ Fortwo, which is the electric equivalent and now the only version of the Fortwo still on sale.

The Fortwo received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media during its time on sale, with scores ranging from poor to great. It received praise for its suitability for urban driving, being agile and easy to park, but reviewers generally agreed that it wasn’t all that comfortable to drive, and that it struggled on longer journeys outside the city limits.

Which? commented that the Fortwo did provide quite a fun driving experience around town, but that it was also “uncomfortable, loud, unstable at motorway speeds, and sparsely equipped for the price.”

Auto Trader‘s Jon Quirk agreed that the Smart Fortwo was quite expensive when compared to more practical city car rivals like the Volkswagen Up, while James Dennison of Parkers asserted that the larger Smart Forfour was the better value-for-money package.

No longer on sale, the petrol-powered Smart Fortwo holds an Expert Rating of 46%, based on 39 reviews published by British motoring outlets.

Fortwo highlights

  • Fuel efficient engines
  • Nimble handling suited to urban driving
  • Easy to drive and park
  • Cute exterior styling

Fortwo lowlights

  • Underpowered entry-level engine
  • Rivals were more affordable to buy
  • Out of its depth on the motorway
  • Firm ride comfort

Key specifications


Body style: Small three-door hatch and cabriolet
Engines:
petrol
Price when new:
From £9,875 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2014
Last updated: Spring 2017
Discontinued: Spring 2018



Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Adult protection: 82%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 56%
Safety assist: 56%

No safety rating

The Smart Fortwo was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Smart Fortwo to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

No longer on sale, the Smart Fortwo has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

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Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Smart Fortwo has a lower-than-average reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both this third-generation model, as well as the previous petrol-powered Fortwo versions, however it is currently based on a small number of vehicles.

The average repair cost is very high for such a small and inexpensive car, at more than £1,100. That’s obviously a lot more than the cost of a used car warrranty, which is worth bearing in mind.

The most common problems with the Fortwo relate to its engine, with an average repair bill of around £750. Be aware of gearbox problems – they can really set you back. Although rare, a gearbox fault could lead to a repair bill of more than £3,000.

If you’re looking at a used Smart Fortwo, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Smart Fortwo has received.

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Smart Fortwo, you might also be interested in these alternatives.

Citroën C1 | Fiat 500 | Fiat Panda | Hyundai i10 | Kia Picanto | Peugeot 108 | SEAT Mii | Skoda Citigo | Toyota Aygo


More news, reviews and information about the Smart Fortwo at The Car Expert

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