With a tiny passenger compartment, limited cargo room and underwhelming performance, the Smart Fortwo is never going to be a mainstream vehicle. But considering it can fit into almost any parking space and turn on a dime, it undoubtedly has niche appeal for consumers living in dense urban areas. Well, now that niche is even smaller. Smart has discontinued the gasoline-powered model from the current lineup, leaving only the Fortwo Electric Drive version.

On the upside, we think the Electric offers the better driving of the two. It doesn't have the gas model's rough-shifting transmission, and it benefits from the electric motor's instant torque and smooth acceleration. However, the Electric is more expensive than the old gas model, and its maximum range of 58 miles is considerably less than any other EV's.

All of this piles on to the Fortwo's existing problems such as a punishing ride and a low-rent cabin. We strongly recommend checking out other EVs in this price bracket for their better range, greater utility and higher emphasis on passenger comfort.

smart fortwo models

The 2018 Smart Fortwo Electric is a pint-size city car with seating for two (get it?) and a surprising amount of passenger space inside. The Fortwo Coupe is sold in three trims — Pure, Passion and Prime — while the Fortwo Cabrio (convertible) is available in Passion and Prime levels. There isn't a huge price differential between the trims, but the starting MSRP for this stylish two-door EV is quite high. As with many cars produced by parent company Mercedes-Benz, there are a number of available features packages and stand-alone options.

The Fortwo Electric's 17.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 60-kW motor (80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque) drive the rear wheels directly. The EPA estimates that the Smart Fortwo Electric can travel up to 58 miles before it runs out of juice and takes three hours to charge an empty battery using a 240-volt power supply.

The Fortwo Coupe's base Pure trim includes 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, power windows, a rearview camera, a driver information display, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a two-speaker sound system with an auxiliary input and a USB port.

Also standard is the ability for iOS and select Android smartphone users to download a free Cross Connect app that controls phone, audio, internet streaming radio, vehicle information and a navigation system.

The Passion trim adds alloy wheels, heated and power-adjustable mirrors, contrasting interior upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, an additional storage compartment in the center console, and a retractable cargo cover.

The Prime further dresses up the Smart with foglights, cornering lights, a panoramic glass roof, automatic headlights and wipers, leather upholstery, heated seats and interior ambient lighting.

Several options packages are available for the Smart Fortwo Electric. The Cold Weather package adds heated seats and additional cabin insulation, and the new Sport package (Passion and Prime only) dresses up the Fortwo with 16-inch alloy wheels and stainless steel pedals. The 10th Anniversary Edition pack is similar to the Sport, but the wheels are of a different design and certain exterior elements are painted blue. There's also the Smart Media System bundle, which combines a 7-inch touchscreen, a navigation system and Android Auto functionality. It can be ordered with or without a six-speaker JBL audio system.

Individual options include rear parking sensors, a forward collision warning system, imitation leather (premium vinyl) upholstery, a center armrest, and a phone cradle that positions your smartphone in the middle of the dash so it can function as a touchscreen controller.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our first drive of the 2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Prime, as well as the full rating of the gasoline-powered 2016 Smart Fortwo Proxy (turbo 0.9L inline-3 | 6-speed automatic | FWD), which is no longer available.

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Smart Fortwo lineup has received some revisions, including the deletion of the gasoline-powered Fortwo model starting this year. Our findings from the gas-powered version carry over to the EV model, as well.

Scorecard

Overall	undefined / 5

Driving

Driving a tiny and lightweight car is intrinsically fun. The Fortwo also benefits from the electric motor's instant torque, and it feels quite peppy when you first start to accelerate. But it runs out of steam past about 40 mph. Handling abilities are low.

Comfort

You might assume the Fortwo gets dinged on comfort due to its smallness, but size doesn't factor in here. Seat comfort is compromised for aesthetics, and the suspension is much too stiff to provide any peace over rough city roads.

Seat comfort

The cushions offer decent padding but have minimal lateral and lumbar support.

Ride comfort

With an extra-short wheelbase, large road bumps are an adventure. Hit them with some speed, and you'd leave your seat if you weren't strapped to it. The ride is continuously busy because of the stiff suspension tuning.

Noise & vibration

Levels of road and tire noise are mostly quelled, but the Fortwo's flat front nose pushes air like a mini bulldozer, which makes it sound windy outside at all times. In the cabriolet, noise is even more apparent.

Interior

Some cost-saving measures, such as the nonadjustable cupholders molded into the hard plastic center console, are laughably obvious. But there are some redeeming qualities to the Fortwo's interior, such as generous passenger leg- and headroom and a cabin design that looks modern and fun.

Ease of use

The stereo is basic but easy to use. The climate controls are also straightforward and are done up in a creative and stylish fashion. Simple does work.

Getting in/getting out

Wide door openings and a low step-in make this tiny car surprisingly easy to get into. However, the doors are long, which might hamper your ability to easily open them in tighter parking spaces.

Roominess

The Fortwo creates a mirage of roominess inside. The steering column doesn't telescope, but the high roof and useful amount of seat travel mean 6-foot-tall drivers will fit relatively comfortably. But when another 6-footer climbs into the passenger seat, you realize how narrow the car really is.

Visibility

The thin front roof pillars and a big windshield provide good forward visibility, but the rearview mirror is narrow and thick rear roof pillars create big blind spots. The Cabrio's tiny rear window makes it even harder to see out back — good thing a rearview camera is standard for 2018.

Quality

With the exception of the seats and headliner, not one surface in the cabin is soft to the touch. A chic and trendy-looking interior design makes the hard plastic appear less cheap, but it's hard to pick out anything of real quality in this cabin.

Convertible top

The convertible top opens or closes in about 12 seconds (with two pushes of a button). Two roof pillars then manually unlatch and stow away in the trunk. It's a bit of a process to get into full top-down mode, but few of the Smart's competitors can even pull off that trick.

Utility

You don't buy a Smart expecting much in the way of storage solutions, but the Fortwo does the best with what it's got. The pull-out drawer from the center console is clever, as are the storage nets behind the seats. The bottom edge of the soft top folds up to increase the cargo opening.

Small-item storage

There are two small central cupholders and a decent-size holder in each door. There's a net behind the seats that will carry light items just fine. A small tray slides out from the central console on the passenger side, which is good for keys, coins and other small things.

Cargo space

The passenger seat cleverly folds flat for longer cargo items, but 9.2 cubic feet of trunk space is nothing special. The Cabrio's cargo area measures 8.9 cubic feet, decreasing to 6.7 cubes when the top is rolled down. Only small convertible sports cars offer less.

Technology

The free Cross Connect app that turns your phone into an audio and navigation controller is an innovative way to integrate touchscreen controls with the basic radio setup. The 7-inch touchscreen is a worthy upgrade.

Consumer reviews

There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 smart fortwo.

Features & Specs

electric drive passion 2dr Hatchback features & specs
electric drive passion 2dr Hatchback electric DD
MPG	124 city / 94 hwy
	Seats 2
	1-speed direct drive
	Electric
	N/A

electric drive prime 2dr Hatchback features & specs
electric drive prime 2dr Hatchback electric DD
MPG	124 city / 94 hwy
	Seats 2
	1-speed direct drive
	Electric
	N/A

electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback features & specs
electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback electric DD
MPG	124 city / 94 hwy
	Seats 2
	1-speed direct drive
	Electric
	N/A

See all Used 2018 smart fortwo features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the fortwo models:

Proximity Warning Function: Helps avoid collisions by alerting the driver if the Fortwo is approaching the car in front too quickly.
Rear Park Assist: Uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver when the Fortwo approaches an object while backing up.
Crosswind Assist: Detects if the Fortwo is being pushed around in its lane by strong crosswinds and applies brakes to keep it straight.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test	Good
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test	Good

FAQ

Is the smart fortwo a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2018 fortwo both on the road and at the track. You probably care about smart fortwo energy consumption, so it's important to know that the fortwo gets an EPA-estimated 108 mpg-e. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the fortwo has 7.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a smart fortwo. Learn more

Is the smart fortwo reliable?

To determine whether the smart fortwo is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the fortwo. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the fortwo's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2018 smart fortwo a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2018 smart fortwo is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2018 fortwo is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2018 smart fortwo?

The least-expensive 2018 smart fortwo is the 2018 smart fortwo electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,800.

Other versions include:

electric drive passion 2dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $25,290
electric drive prime 2dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $26,640
electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $23,800

Learn more

What are the different models of smart fortwo?

If you're interested in the smart fortwo, the next question is, which fortwo model is right for you? fortwo variants include electric drive passion 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), electric drive prime 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), and electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback (electric DD). For a full list of fortwo models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

More about the 2018 smart fortwo

Ever cruised around the city looking for parking, dreaming of a car that could fit into all those little spots you had to pass up? Here it is: the Smart Fortwo Electric. Did some inconsiderate pickup driver park over the line? No problem. Did an idiot in a Bimmer leave only half a spot between his back bumper and the car behind? With the Fortwo, that spot is yours. The 2018 Smart Fortwo Electric makes other minicars look as big as old-school Cadillacs, and if you have to drive in a crowded city, you'll find no better runabout.

Unfortunately, once you head out of the city, the disadvantages begin to pile up. The Smart Fortwo Electric has a hard ride, it accelerates slowly at highway speeds, and the blind spots are huge. Even worse, you won't be going very far since the maximum electric range is a paltry 58 miles.

Freshly redesigned just two years ago, the latest Fortwo is powered by a 17.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 60-kW motor, making 80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline-powered version has been dropped for 2018, leaving the Fortwo Electric Coupe and Cabrio (convertible) the only models in Smart's stable. That's not necessarily a bad thing — we think the Electric is the superior variant — but its price is pretty high and you can't fill up at a corner gas station.

The Smart Fortwo has a turning circle of just 22.8 feet, which means it can pull a U-turn on all but the narrowest of alleys. With its high center of gravity and narrow tires, the Smart isn't a great handler, and the ride is abnormally stiff. Short-wheelbase cars generally have a choppy ride, but the Fortwo takes this to a new level: Large bumps have the potential to toss you out of the seat if you aren't strapped in (which, considering the lack of seat comfort, might not be the worst thing).

At least the Fortwo offers decent room; with only two seats, there's plenty of space. The interior design is stylish and well laid out, but the materials feel chintzy. There's no padding on the door armrests, and a center armrest is an extra-cost option. Trunk space is limited to 8.9 cubic feet in the coupe and 8.7 cubes in the Cabrio.

Smart sells the Fortwo Electric Coupe in Pure, Passion and Prime, while the Cabrio is available in Passion and Prime models only. The Pure is a bare-bones grocery-getter, the Passion adds some creature comforts, and the Prime includes luxury features that help detract from the Fortwo's low-rent cabin. Let Edmunds help find the perfect 2018 Smart Fortwo for you.

Used 2018 smart fortwo Overview

The Used 2018 smart fortwo is offered in the following submodels: fortwo Hatchback, fortwo Convertible. Available styles include electric drive passion 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), electric drive prime 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), electric drive passion 2dr Convertible (electric DD), electric drive prime 2dr Convertible (electric DD), and electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback (electric DD).

What do people think of the 2018 smart fortwo?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 smart fortwo and all its trim types. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 fortwo.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 smart fortwo and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 fortwo featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What's a good price for a New 2018 smart fortwo?

Which 2018 smart fortwos are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 smart fortwo for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 smart fortwo.

Can't find a new 2018 smart fortwos you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a new smart fortwo for sale - 10 great deals out of 24 listings starting at $20,683.

Find a new smart for sale - 12 great deals out of 20 listings starting at $11,960.

Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.

Should I lease or buy a 2018 smart fortwo?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Check out smart lease specials

Used 2018 smart fortwo

Which fortwo does Edmunds recommend?

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating