Specifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Body style | engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | chassis_cab | — | Automatic | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2019 | chassis_cab | — | Automatic | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2018 | chassis_cab | — | — | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2017 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 0.9, Fuel type: Premium | Manual/Standard | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 0.9 | Premium |
| 2016 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 0.9, Fuel type: Premium | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 0.9 | Premium |
| 2015 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 1.0, Fuel type: Premium | Automatic (AM5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 1.0 | Premium |
| 2014 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 1.0, Fuel type: Premium | Automatic (AM5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 1.0 | Premium |
| 2013 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 1.0, Fuel type: Premium | Automatic (AM5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 1.0 | Premium |
| 2012 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 1.0, Fuel type: Premium | Automatic (AM5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 1.0 | Premium |
| 2011 | chassis_cab | Cylinders: 3, Displacement: 1.0, Fuel type: Premium | Automatic (AM5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 3 | 1.0 | Premium |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | Steering location | Seat rows | GVWR | Axles | Wheels | Entertainment system | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | bodyAndInterior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | — | — | — | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 1 |
| 2019 | 2 | — | — | — | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | CD + Stereo | 73.7 | 15 | 15 | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Entertainment system: CD + Stereo, Seat rows: 1 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | — | — | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | — | 73.7 | 15 | 15 | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 1 |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | 190 | 6.7 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | — | 73.7 | — | — | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 1 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | 220 | 7.8 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | 2 | 2 | 143 | 7.8 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | nhtsaSafetyRatings | abs | esc | tractionControl | autoBrake | rearCamera | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | tpms | forwardCollisionWarning | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | adas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, autoBrake: standard, rearCamera: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2019 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | — | — | — | — | — | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: optional, rearCamera: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2018 | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, autoBrake: standard, rearCamera: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2017 | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2017 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2017 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, autoBrake: standard, rearCamera: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | tpms: standard |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | tpms: standard |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | tpms: standard |
| 2012 | Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2012 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2012 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | tpms: standard |
| 2011 | Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2011 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2011 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | — |
Model year reports
2020
NewestThe 2020 smart Fortwo presents an exceptionally clean record with zero recalls or complaints logged by NHTSA.
2019
The 2019 smart Fortwo presents a unique urban mobility solution, but its reliability is marked by a significant safety recall concerning the high-voltage battery.
2018
The 2018 smart Fortwo presents a generally good reliability record with zero recalls or complaints logged.
2017
The 2017 smart Fortwo offers average reliability, but buyers must confirm the steering knuckle recall has been completed.
2016
The 2016 smart Fortwo offers average reliability, but a critical parking brake recall warrants close inspection.
2015
The 2015 smart Fortwo presents a good reliability profile with zero recalls and complaints, but a significant TSB count suggests minor issues warrant attention.
2014
The 2014 smart Fortwo offers excellent fuel economy and a compact footprint, but its "Average" reliability verdict, driven by a high TSB count and lack of complaint data, warrants careful inspection.
2013
The 2013 smart Fortwo presents a unique proposition for urban dwellers, offering remarkable fuel efficiency and a tiny footprint.
2012
The 2012 smart Fortwo presents a unique proposition for urban dwellers, offering excellent fuel economy and a compact footprint.
2011
The 2011 smart Fortwo presents an average reliability profile.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the smart Fortwo?
Carfocal currently has 10 published Fortwo reports, covering 2011 through 2020. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2020 smart Fortwo presents an exceptionally clean record with zero recalls or complaints logged by NHTSA.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
Is the smart Fortwo reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every smart Fortwo. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2020 smart fortwo presents an exceptionally clean record with zero recalls or complaints logged by nhtsa. and the 2020 smart fortwo's value proposition is strong for those prioritizing urban practicality and exceptional initial reliability. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
10 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the smart Fortwo?
Carfocal answers common-problem questions in the year-specific reports. Published guides currently cover 2011 through 2020.
Problem patterns will populate as repair-prediction coverage expands.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 10
- Years tracked
- 10
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints
