Smart Fortwo EQ: versions, prices, and range of the compact

What a journey since 1997 for the small city car that is soon to bid farewell. Now exclusively produced as an electric vehicle, it remains a joy to handle and its running costs are reasonable.

The concept of the micro-city car emerged in Europe in the late 1990s as a solution to reduce the footprint of cars in the city. Whether for its compact size and ease of parking (at a time when cars are becoming increasingly bulky), or to minimize environmental impact with smaller engines that emit less CO2 and therefore consume less.

Inspired by the trend of Japanese Midgets or Keijidōsha and Kei Cars, the Smart Citycoupé and later Fortwo quickly established themselves in our landscape thanks to their very favorable space-to-size ratio, good crash-test safety, and very low operational costs.

Dimensions and Style of the Smart Fortwo EQ

Only three generations of Smart Fortwo have been released since 1997, which speaks volumes about the longevity of the micro-city car, which has always capitalized on trends. Gone are the almond-shaped lights of the current generation, sold since 2014 and restyled in 2019. The Smart Fortwo “3” features more square headlights, both front and rear, by the way. With its wheels on all four corners and a quite muscular profile, it appears larger than it actually is. It measures just 2.69 meters in length, which is a record value on the French market. However, as attractive as it is, it neglects body protections for strictly urban use. So beware of scratches!

Inside, the style is minimalist, but the slightly driver-oriented dashboard offers simple yet flawless ergonomics. We enjoy the sporty steering wheel, Mercedes-style vents, and good control layout. Like previous models, the interior is spacious, even for tall adults. The trunk remains quite minimal but is enough for a few errands.

Motor and Battery of the Smart Fortwo EQ

The Smart Fortwo EQ shares its technical platform with the current Renault Twingo E-Tech electric, but it is powered by a German electric motor. Using synchronous technology, the electric motor develops 82 hp and 160 Nm of torque, more than sufficient to move the 1,095 kg of this charming car. From the first few turns of the wheel, we are impressed by the lively mechanics, especially during start-ups with throttle on the floor. The absence of a CVT transmission like in older thermal versions means it is free from jerks and allows smooth accelerations and revs, provided you do not activate eco mode, which too much restricts the Smart’s performance.

At the time of its development, the manufacturer lacked ambition for its battery capacity, which is limited to only 17.6 kWh.

Range and Charging of the Electric Smart

Obviously, with a 17.6 kWh battery, the Smart Fortwo EQ is not designed for highway cruising. Not at all. It also tops out at 130 km/h on the speedometer, so one must plan ahead for overtaking. But also anticipate trips. Our measurements barely allowed us to exceed 100 km of range in mixed cycle, which is quite modest in 2023. An average of up to 120 km in city driving, but it drops to 75 km on the highway!

The small battery is paired with a small charger, with a maximum power of only 4.6 kW. It will take about 4 hours to fully recharge, which is better than the nearly 8 hours required on a standard 220 V socket. Optional 22 kW fast charging cable (€1,000) will reduce this charging time to 40 minutes to go from 10% to 80%.

Price and Equipment of the Smart EQ Fortwo

The Smart Fortwo EQ is available in two versions in the French market: Coupé Passion from €28,351.20 and Coupé Prime from €30,250.80.

Here are the details of the Passion trim equipment: 15″ alloy wheels, fabric upholstery, height-adjustable driver’s seat, leather multifunction steering wheel, leather gear lever, rear parking assist, radio…

Here are the details of the Prime trim equipment: 16″ alloy wheels, leather upholstery, LED headlights, panoramic roof, fog lights, heated seats…

Technical Data Sheet of the Smart Fortwo EQ

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