Smart EQ Fortwo - TopCarNews

Smart EQ Fortwo (2015 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Smart EQ Fortwo (formerly known as the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive) is an electric city car based on the petrol Fortwo model. It is available as a hatchback or cabriolet, which has exactly the same dimensions but with a removable roof section.

The EQ Fortwo has received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media, with scores ranging from poor to good. It has received praise for its suitability for urban driving, being agile and easy to park. However, it has been criticised for being expensive and having a poor range, making trips beyond the city impossible to undertake.

The current-generation Fortwo was launched in 2014, and a major update in 2019/20 also coincided with Smart becoming an electric-only car company. However, the upgraded model has failed to find much favour with UK motoring journalists, with its Expert Rating hitting a new low of 44% in December 2021.

EQ Fourtwo highlights

Agile and easy to park
Cheap running costs
Improved interior trim
Fun to drive
Battery charging is quick

EQ Fourtwo lowlights

Expensive for its size
Battery range is nothing special
On-board tech does not impress
Polarising exterior design
Small amount of boot space

Key specifications

Body style: Small three-door hatch and cabrioletEngines: single electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £17,550 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2014Last updated: Spring 2020
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Smart EQ Fortwo (2020 onwards)

Smart EQ Fortwo (2015-2019)

Smart EQ Fortwo (2020 onwards)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test 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.”
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Fortwo Electric DriveScore: 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.”
Read review

Autocar

Score: 5 / 10“Lightly revised city-car can still charm, but without hardware upgrades now looks well off the EV pace.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 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.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Fortwo Electric DriveScore: 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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“The Smart EQ ForTwo Coupe was refreshed in 2020, and while the updated version retains all of the model’s charms, the significant drawbacks also remain.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 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.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Good EVs come in small packages, but this one is very compromised.”
Read review

Parkers

Score: 6.6 / 10“The electric-only Smart is immensely fun around town.”
Read review

The Sun

“Could the Fortwo finally convert the masses to electric? Yes and no.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 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.”
Read review

Which?

“There are many likeable things about the Smart EQ Fortwo – such as its ultra-compact size, manoeuvrability and peppiness in town – but in practical terms it’s a challenge to live with.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The petrol Smart Fortwo was tested by Euro NCAP way 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 th eevent 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.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Smart EQ Fourtwo has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

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 the EQ Fortwo is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Similar cars

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

Buy or lease a Smart EQ Fourtwo

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new or used Smart EQ Fourtwo, The Car Expert’s partners have thousands of cars to choose from

Buy a car online from your sofa.
We’ll deliver it.

We only have the best used cars for sale from selected dealers.

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.

The UK’s automotive search engine. All the cars in one place.

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing.

Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing.

We Finance Any Car provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Motorly provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Keyword: Smart EQ Fortwo