New Smart #2: nearly €20,000 for two seats, why choose it over a Twingo?
- Published on 13/10/2026 14:02
Smart returns to small cars with the #2 electric. A charming return to its roots, but hard to defend against four-seat city cars. All this for that?
After wandering into the SUV lane, Smart is back on the city road. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the #2 reconnects with its purpose: a tiny, clever, and recognizable car. But is it too late?
An heir to the Fortwo that embraces its two seats
At 2.746 meters, with wheels at all four corners, a two-tone bodywork, and a two-part tailgate, this new Smart truly embodies its heritage. Two seats, strictly, and a turning diameter of 6.95 meters: its purpose is clear. However, the #2 is nearly 25 centimeters longer than the original 1998 Smart. A detail? Not really. With its 2.50 meters, the original could slide perpendicular to other cars where configuration and parking rules allowed. A concrete promise that justified sacrificing the rear bench. These additional centimeters compromise that cleverness: the #2 regains the silhouette of its ancestor but not all of its urban ingenuity.
On the technical side, the program includes: a rear motor of 60 kW, a 35.8 kWh LFP battery, and a targeted range of 290 kilometers WLTP. Smart announces twenty minutes to charge from 10 to 80%. To put this in perspective: that’s about 25 kWh recovered. Capped at 65 kW, the charging remains modest for considering long trips.
Twingo, Leapmotor T03: two more seats, really more cumbersome?
Starting at €19,990, the question mainly concerns versatility. The Leapmotor T03 transports four people in 3.62 meters, with generous equipment. Even the electric Fiat 500 retains four seats in 3.63 meters.
And above all, there’s the Renault Twingo. Its 3.79 meters represent about 1.04 meters more. A significant gap in tight parking spots, without turning every urban trip into an expedition. In return: four seats, five doors, and up to 360 liters of real trunk space, with the rear seats moved forward, compared to 305 liters of Tetris-style storage for the Smart. An undeniably useful extra bit of storage.
Between the two, the hearts of French buyers may hesitate. Reason might quickly tip the scales. The #2 regains the Smart spirit, but must convince that its compactness warrants so many concessions. Because nostalgia doesn’t always transport anyone in the back.
ALSO READ: 10 cars to see at the 2026 Auto Show
You might be interestedin this article:
This page is translated from the original post "Nouvelle Smart #2 : près de 20 000 € pour deux places, pourquoi la préférer à une Twingo ?" in French.
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
Recent articles