Used smart EQ fortwo coupe: Buyer's Guide
The smart EQ fortwo coupe is the ultimate city car, engineered with a singular focus on mastering the urban environment. It's a fun, stylish, and eco-friendly way to travel, offering a 'go-kart' like sense of agility that makes driving in town a joy. With its unrivalled ability to park in the tightest of spaces thanks to a tiny 6.95-metre turning circle, the EQ fortwo is the definitive solution for stress-free city living.
Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Popular Trims
Prime: A great value starting point, with stylish 15-inch alloy wheels, heated seats, and the essential 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The smaller wheels on this trim also provide the most comfortable ride.
Prime Premium: This is the sweet spot of the range, adding a useful rear-view camera which, combined with the tiny turning circle, makes this the ultimate parking machine. It also adds a centre armrest and height-adjustable driver's seat.
Prime Premium Plus: The ultimate style choice, this flagship model adds a panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with light, full LED headlights, and cool ambient lighting for a more premium feel.
Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Popular Engines
60kW Electric Motor: Recommendation: The only powertrain offered, the 60kW (82hp) motor is perfectly matched to the car's urban mission. Its 160Nm of instant torque is the key to its nippy, responsive character in city traffic, making it feel quick away from the lights.
Running Costs:
Exceptionally low. The small 17.6kWh battery is very cheap to charge at home, and as a pure EV, the car is exempt from all road tax and city emissions charges.
Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Practicality
The smart EQ fortwo's practicality is a direct function of its genius, purpose-built design.
Park Anywhere: The car's tiny 2.7m length is its superpower. It can famously park 'nose-to-kerb' in spaces that are simply impossible for other cars.
Surprisingly Roomy: Although it's strictly a two-seater, the space for the driver and passenger is excellent, with plenty of head and elbow room making the cabin feel open and uncramped.
City-Sised Boot: The 260-litre boot is perfectly shaped for the daily challenges of city life, easily swallowing a weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags.
Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Key Features
Key Features:
A class-of-one 6.95-metre turning circle for incredible agility.
A silent, zero-emission electric powertrain.
The iconic and high-strength Tridion safety cell.
A short, 2.7m overall length for easy parking.
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Desirable Options:
The optional 22kW on-board charger is a must-have feature, as it cuts the 10-80% charge time at a public AC charger to just 40 minutes.
The rear-view camera, included on Prime Premium trims and above.
The Winter Pack, which includes extra insulation for better efficiency and comfort in colder climates.
Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Reliability Rating
The smart EQ fortwo has a simple electric powertrain with fewer moving parts than a petrol car, which should aid long-term reliability. However, some owner surveys show mixed results.
What to Check on a Test Drive:
Battery Health: On a fully charged car, check that the predicted range is in line with the official figure of around 84 miles. Significant deviation could indicate battery degradation.
Charging System: If possible, plug the car into a charger to ensure it communicates correctly, and check the charging cable and port for any signs of damage.
Infotainment System: Test the touchscreen thoroughly for responsiveness, as laggy systems have been reported. Connect your phone to ensure Apple CarPlay or Android Auto works smoothly.
Recall History: For 2017 models, check that the recall for a potential fault with the steering knuckle has been completed.
Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Safety Rating
The smart fortwo's 4-star Euro NCAP rating from 2014 was a strong result for such a small car, thanks to its innovative Tridion safety cell. While this rating has now expired, the car's core safety concept remains.
The car's high-strength steel chassis provides a rigid safety cage for occupants.
Crosswind Assist is a standard feature that automatically improves high-speed stability in gusty conditions.
It lacks the modern active driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, found on newer electric cars.
Awards for the Used smart EQ fortwo coupe
The smart fortwo's revolutionary design has been recognised globally as a landmark in urban mobility. Its significance is underlined by its inclusion in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Who is the Used smart EQ fortwo coupe Best For?
The pragmatic urban commuter who has access to home charging and a predictable, short daily journey.
Style-conscious city dwellers who want a fun, fashionable, and eco-friendly car for local trips.
Anyone who needs a second car purely for city-based errands and who prioritises ease of parking above all else.
Key Alternatives to Consider:
Renault Zoe: A more conventional electric supermini that offers a far greater range and five seats, but lacks the smart's unique parking ability.
Fiat 500e: A stylish and modern electric city car that also has a longer range, but is larger and less manoeuvrable than the fortwo.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Used smart EQ fortwo coupe
What is the real-world range of the smart EQ fortwo coupe?
The smart EQ fortwo coupe is designed as a dedicated city car, and its electric range is best suited for urban journeys.
Official WLTP Range: The car has an official WLTP combined range of up to 84 miles.
Real-World Estimate: In real-world driving conditions, you can expect a range of between 65 and 80 miles, depending on factors like temperature, speed, and use of features like heating.
City Driving: This range is more than sufficient for typical daily commutes and running errands within a city environment.
How long does it take to charge the smart EQ fortwo coupe at home?
Charging times for the smart EQ fortwo coupe are straightforward, with the quickest method being a dedicated home wallbox.
Home Wallbox (7kW): Using a 7kW home wallbox, a full charge from 0-100% will take approximately 3 hours.
Optional 22kW Charger: Some models were available with an optional 22kW on-board charger. If you have access to a public 22kW charger, this can charge the battery from 10-80% in just 40 minutes.
Standard 3-Pin Plug: Using a standard 120V home socket is the slowest method and can take up to 16.5 hours for a full charge.
Does the smart EQ fortwo coupe have DC fast charging?
No, the smart EQ fortwo coupe is not equipped with DC fast charging capability.
AC Charging Only: The car relies exclusively on AC charging via its Type 2 charging port.
Fastest Charge: The fastest available charging is via a 22kW AC public charger, which requires the car to be fitted with the optional 22kW on-board charger.
City Focus: The charging options are designed to suit the car's primary purpose as a city vehicle, where overnight home charging or top-ups at destinations are the most common scenarios.
How small is the turning circle on a smart EQ fortwo coupe?
The smart EQ fortwo coupe has a famously small turning circle, which is one of its greatest assets in the city.
Measurement: The turning circle is just 6.95 metres from kerb-to-kerb.
Unrivalled Agility: This is smaller than almost any other car on the road and allows the smart to perform U-turns in spaces where other cars would need a three-point turn.
Easy Parking: This incredible manoeuvrability makes parking in tight parallel or bay spaces exceptionally easy.
Is the smart EQ fortwo coupe exempt from road tax (VED)?
Yes, as a pure electric vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions, the smart EQ fortwo coupe is exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
VED Band: The car qualifies for VED Band A, which is reserved for zero-emission vehicles.
Cost Saving: This means you will not have to pay any annual road tax, contributing to the car's very low running costs.
Future Changes: It is worth noting that VED rules for electric vehicles are set to change from 2025, but for now, the car remains tax-free.
What is the Tridion safety cell on the smart EQ fortwo coupe?
The Tridion safety cell is the visible, high-strength steel frame that forms the core of the smart EQ fortwo coupe's structure and is a key part of its design and safety.
Core Structure: It acts as a rigid safety cage around the occupants, designed to absorb impact energy and protect the passenger compartment in a collision.
Distinctive Design: The Tridion cell is often finished in a contrasting colour to the main body panels, creating smart's signature two-tone look.
Proven Safety: This design was a key factor in the car achieving a solid 4-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was tested.
Can you fit a weekly shop in the smart EQ fortwo coupe's boot?
Yes, despite its tiny exterior dimensions, the boot of the smart EQ fortwo coupe is surprisingly practical for city living.
Boot Space: The boot offers 260 litres of luggage capacity.
Practical Shape: This is large enough to accommodate a couple of carry-on suitcases or a standard weekly grocery shop for one or two people.
No Intrusion: Because the battery is located under the floor, it does not intrude into the boot space, meaning you get to use the full 260 litres.
Does the smart EQ fortwo coupe have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, the smart EQ fortwo coupe comes with smartphone integration as a standard feature, which is a huge benefit given the quality of the native infotainment system.
Standard Feature: Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, allowing you to bypass the car's own system.
Easy to Use: Simply plug in your smartphone to access your own apps, such as Google Maps, Waze, or Spotify, directly on the car's 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen.
Best Experience: Using these systems provides a much better and more familiar user experience for navigation and media than the car's standard software.
Is the smart EQ fortwo coupe comfortable on the motorway?
The smart EQ fortwo coupe is a dedicated city car and is not designed for, nor is it comfortable on, long motorway journeys.
Firm Ride: The short wheelbase and stiff suspension, which make the car feel agile in town, can lead to a jiggly and uncomfortable ride at higher speeds.
Cabin Noise: The cabin is not well insulated from road and wind noise, which can become tiring on the motorway.
Limited Range: The car's real-world range of around 70 miles and lack of fast charging make it unsuitable for long-distance travel between cities.
