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smart fortwo

12 model years from 2008 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

smart fortwo
Pictured: 2016 Smart Fortwo Passion Automatic 1.0 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2008–2019
Class
Two Seaters
Latest engines
Electric
Best MPG
35–36 combined, by year
EV range
up to 68 mi
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2008 (92)
Fewest problems
2018
Interest
17,002 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2019 fortwo in brief

The 2019 smart fortwo is a two seaters powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 106 inches long and 65 inches wide on a 74-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,050 lb.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 58 miles and takes about 3 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

The smart fortwo has 12 model years in our data, from 2008 to 2019.

Its most efficient year was 2015 at 36 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 35 to 36 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the engine (68), electrical system (43), power train (42).

Buying used? 2018 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.

2016 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 6 campaigns and 263 owner complaints.

How the 2008 fortwo compares

The 2008 smart fortwo is a two seaters offered with a 1.0L 3-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 106 inches long and 61 inches wide on a 74-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 1,852 lb (Passion 2dr Conv RWD).

About the smart fortwo

The Smart Fortwo is a two-seater city car manufactured and marketed by the Smart division of the Mercedes-Benz Group for model years 1998–2024. The car was sold across three generations — each using a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and a (generally) one-box design body shape. Much like the original Volkswagen Beetle decades earlier, the Smart car's identity is interchangeably associated with both its brand name and its model name.

From the Wikipedia article "Smart Fortwo", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2019 fortwo pros & cons

Full 2019 details →

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Short EV rangeUp to 58 miles on a charge (EPA) — plan around charging.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

fortwo changes by model year

  1. 2017
    • Longest EV range down from 68 to 58 miles
  2. 2016
    • Engine added: 0.9L 3-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 1.0L 3-cyl
    • Lightest version 243 lb heavier
  3. 2014
    • Lightest version 154 lb heavier
  4. 2013
    • New all-electric version
  5. 2012
    • No all-electric version any more
    • Lightest version 154 lb lighter
  6. 2011
    • New all-electric version

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 12 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
2019Electric58 mi106.3 in2,050 lbNot rated11
2018Electric58 mi106.3 in2,050 lbNot rated01
20170.9L 3-cyl turbo35 MPG106.3 in2,050 lbNot rated19
20160.9L 3-cyl turbo35 MPG106.3 in2,050 lbNot rated222
20151.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,984 lbNot rated111
20141.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in2,028 lbNot rated116
20131.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,742 lbNot rated017
20121.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,742 lbNot rated06
20111.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,852 lbNot rated010
20101.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,852 lbNot rated03
20091.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,852 lbNot rated175
20081.0L 3-cyl36 MPG106.3 in1,852 lbNot rated192
Best combined MPG by model year — smart fortwo
2008: 36 MPG2009: 36 MPG2010: 36 MPG2011: 36 MPG2012: 36 MPG2013: 36 MPG2014: 36 MPG2015: 36 MPG2016: 35 MPG2017: 35 MPG20082010201220142016max 36 MPG

Alternatives to the 2019 fortwo

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2019 Koenigsegg Regera11 MPGNot rated0
2019 RUF Automobile RUFTURBO12/CTR3/CTR201718 MPGNot rated0

Most common owner-reported problems

Engine68
Electrical System43
Power Train42
Unknown Or Other41
Fuel/Propulsion System25
Seat Belts20
Engine And Engine Cooling18
Structure › Body17
Owner complaints by model year — smart fortwo
2008: 922009: 752010: 32011: 102012: 62013: 172014: 162015: 112016: 222017: 92018: 12019: 1200820102012201420162018max 92
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or smart. How we calculate this →