2018 smart fortwo
Pros
- A short wheelbase and narrow width make the Fortwo easy to park
- Acceleration is quick and immediate at low speeds
- Boasts a fun and distinctive interior design
- Using a smartphone as the primary infotainment screen is innovative
Cons
- Interior materials quality is pretty poor
- Large rear blind spots, especially with the convertible
- Pitiful range makes it nearly impossible to use for long trips
- Uncomfortable ride quality on rough roads and over bumps
2018 smart fortwo pricing
in Ashburn, VAWhich fortwo does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
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.
Trim levels & features
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.
Driving
Comfort
2Seat comfort
2Ride comfort
1Noise & vibration
2Interior
2.5Ease of use
3Getting in/getting out
3Roominess
3Visibility
Quality
2Convertible top
3Utility
3.5Small-item storage
3.5Cargo space
3Technology
Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 smart fortwo.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite fortwo safety features:
- 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.
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See your car's valueEver 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.
2018 smart fortwo Overview
The 2018 smart fortwo is offered in the following submodels: , . Available styles include electric drive passion 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), electric drive prime 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), electric drive pure 2dr Hatchback (electric DD), electric drive prime 2dr Convertible (electric DD), and electric drive passion 2dr Convertible (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. 0 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.
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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.
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2018 smart fortwo Information
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