Summary
The Smart EQ Fortwo (formerly known as the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive) was an electric city car based on the petrol Fortwo model. It was introduced in about 2015 and was in production until 2022.
It was available as a hatchback or cabriolet, which has exactly the same dimensions but with a roll-back fabric roof section.
The EQ Fortwo received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media throughout its production life, with scores ranging from poor to good. It received praise for its suitability for urban driving, agile and ease of parking. However, it was criticised for being too expensive and for having a poor battery range, making trips beyond the city too inconvenient for most people.
The Fortwo range was launched in 2014, originally as a petrol model with the EV version following shortly afterwards. A major update in 2019/20 coincided with Smart becoming an electric-only car company, but the upgraded model failed to find much favour with UK motoring journalists.
No longer on sale, the Smart EQ Fortwo has a Used Car Expert Rating of D with a score of 56%.
EQ Fortwo highlights
- Very agile for city driving
- Very cheap to run
- Will fit in almost any parking space
- Fun to drive
- Battery charging is quick
EQ Fortwo lowlights
- Expensive for its size
- Battery range is poor
- Cabin tech and comfort are poor
- Tiny boot won’t hold much
Key specifications
Body style: Small three-door hatch and cabriolet
Engines: single electric motor, battery-powered
Price when new: From £17,550 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2014
Last updated: Spring 2020
Discontinued: 2022
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“As an inner-city driver, the Smart EQ makes plenty of sense. However, those looking to travel further afield may find it a little too limited, with a range that can’t quite make longer journeys a real-world possibility.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Fortwo Electric Drive
Score: 6 / 10
“If you plan to use the tiny ForTwo as Smart intended – in a city – then the new Electric Drive model could well be the one to go for. A 100-mile range is acceptable enough for a city runabout, and an impressive 2.5-hour charging time means you won’t be hamstrung by lengthy periods plugged into the mains.”
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Autocar
Score: 5 / 10
“Lightly revised city-car can still charm, but without hardware upgrades now looks well off the EV pace.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Even if it is the cheapest electric car available in the UK, The Smart EQ Fortwo still seems somewhat pricey for what it offers. The Skoda Citigo-e iV is hardly any more expensive and comes with rear doors and seats, a better claimed 160-mile battery range and a less roly-poly drive.”
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Model reviewed: Fortwo Electric Drive
Score: 8 / 10
“Few cars we’ve driven feel so utterly fit for purpose as the Smart ForTwo and the addition of a genuinely usable electric drivetrain only amplifies its city suitability further. As a train station hack or urban road warrior, the ForTwo Electric Drive is a compelling ally.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 6.2 / 10
“If you’re a member of the small audience the Smart EQ is aimed at, you’ll find it an appealing and competent car.”
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Carwow
Score: 5 / 10
“If you’re looking for a tiny electric car that’ll take the city in its stride then the ForTwo is definitely worth a look – but only if you don’t need back seats.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: ForTwo Coupe
Score: 6 / 10
“The Smart EQ ForTwo Coupe was refreshed in 2020, and while the updated version retains all of the model’s charms, significant drawbacks also remain.”
Author: Antony Ingram
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet
Score: 6 / 10
“Choosing the Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio is a real exercise in heart over head – it makes much more sense to pick one of its larger, more practical rivals, most of which also offer a much more useful range. Our favourites include the Mini Electric and Fiat 500 – the latter is even available in convertible form, if your heart is truly set on a drop-top EV.” (Ben Custard)
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 5 / 10
“The Smart EQ ForTwo is the perfect car for city driving – compact, easy to drive and pure electric. The limited range will be an issue if you need to do longer journeys, but at least it charges quickly.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Turning the Smart Fortwo into an electric car was a good idea in principle, maximising its capabilities in the city and playing to its strengths of manoeuvrability and compactness. But the very limited range makes it even less versatile than the petrol-powered version, which was already compromised at higher speeds and in terms of its two-seat arrangement.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“As one of the cheapest routes into an electric car, the Smart EQ Fortwo is a likeable choice. Its limited range will put off many buyers, as will its restricted practicality. But for its niche audience – urbanites who lives and work in the city – it’s a strong choice.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Good EVs come in small packages, but this one is very compromised.”
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Parkers
Score: 6.6 / 10
“The electric-only Smart is immensely fun around town.”
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The Sun
“Could the Fortwo finally convert the masses to electric? Yes and no.”
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The Telegraph
Score: 8 / 10
“This generation of Smart is the best yet. It looks good, drives well and the ride, if not the finest, is adequate for such a short wheelbase. This battery electric version doesn’t suffer much from its extra 140kg; it’s brisk, fun, and the range – if not exceptional – is practical for inner cities.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: ForTwo Electric Drive
“At just under £17k, the e-Smart is cheap for a full EV, but plenty of folks will baulk at shelling out that much for a car with only two seats and a boot less roomy than your jean pockets.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“Nothing with doors offers such dinky dimensions that allow you to scoot through gaps and park so freely. That aside, the Smart EQ Fortwo’s lack of refinement, practicality and, by modern standards, electric range, limits it far more than other electric city cars.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.5 / 10
“Despite the short range, the Smart EQ Fortwo still just about makes sense for a city-only or short commuting vehicle. It’s cheap by EV standards, but not great value. However, as urban transport for one or two people, its tiny size makes it easy to park and it is great fun to drive. But it could only ever be your second car unless you never leave the city.” (James Morris)
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2014
Date expired: January 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 82%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 56%
Safety assist: 56%
No safety rating
The petrol Smart Fortwo was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a four-star rating. In 2017, the rating was extended to include the electric model, which required additional assessment to make sure it performed in the same manner as the petrol version in the event of an accident.
The Fortwo’s rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid, as it no longer meets the current criteria for a four-star 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 EQ 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
The Smart EQ Fortwo was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so if the EQ Fortwo had been tested by Green NCAP, it would probably have scored very highly.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 11
Average repair cost: £1067.84
Last updated: January 2023
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Smart Fortwo has a reliability score that’s slightly worse than average, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy.
Half of all reported problems with the Fortwo relate to its engine, with an average repair bill of about £600. Be aware of gearbox problems, however, – although rare, a fault of this nature cost one warranty claimant over £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.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of May 2024, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Smart EQ Fortwo. Check back again soon.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Smart EQ Fortwo, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW i3 | Fiat 500 Electric | Honda e | Peugeot e-208 | Renault Zoe | SEAT Mii Electric | Skoda Citigo iV | Smart EQ Fortwo | Vauxhall Corsa Electric | Volkswagen e-Up
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