Used smart forfour for sale

What types of used smart forfour cars are there?

As the name suggests, this is a smart car for four people – and it’s more spacious than you might think.    

The smart forfour has been on sale since 2004 and has since had some huge spec upgrades.   

Since 2007, you've been able to buy an all-electric forfour, which made perfect sense for this small city car. In 2019, smart dropped the petrol engine and sold the forfour as an electric-only model.  

– Read our smart forfour review  

Used forfour models can be found with either a petrol engine or an electric motor, meaning there are plenty of choices depending on your needs.   

The sort of person this car would appeal to is a city-dweller who needs the occasional space for three other passengers and a decent-sized boot.  

Popular smart forfour trims 

A used smart foufour can be had in a variety of different trim levels, each catering to your needs and desires. Here are the most popular: 

> smart forfour Pure – base-spec that’s very basic with just cloth seat and power steering and highlights – it’s truly the essence of a smart car 

> smart forfour Passion – mid-spec gets alloy wheels, cruise control, multifunction steering wheel and smart’s ‘Readyspace’ rear seats that offer more flexibility and adjustment 

> smart forfour Prime – the ‘fancy one’ gets a different set of alloy wheels, leather seats, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and lane-keep assist 

smart forfour history 

The smart forfour is a long-standing model which has seen many different generations over the years. It came out when smart had only been around for 10 years and has since shown the progress it’s made. 

> First-generation smart forfour (2004-2006) - this five-door supermini made the small smart car format more practical than before 

> Second-generation smart forfour (2014-2019) - the petrol ran until 2019, whereas the fully electric model continued until 2021 

What features does the smart forfour have?

Aside from its size, the forfour is the perfect car for getting around a city thanks to its incredibly tight turning circle, which even gives a London taxi a run for its money.    

Inside, the forfour features a very quirky design with a rev counter that hints at smart cars of old. There’s also a digital display in front of the driver showing the speedometer and mileage.   

To the left of the steering wheel is the touchscreen infotainment system, which sits above the climate controls and gear shifter.    

There are three different equipment packages when it comes to the forfour. The first is the Comfort Package, which includes a height-adjustable steering wheel plus heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors.    

The next step up is the Premium Equipment Line, which includes rear parking sensors, a seven-inch screen with built-in sat nav, Bluetooth and USB connectivity plus MP3 adapters.    

Topping the range is the Premium Plus package, which offers all the above plus ambient interior lighting, automatic wipers and lights, a rear-view camera and daytime running LED lights.    

Boot space is good too – the 185-litre capacity means there’s enough room for a food shop. 

Is the smart forfour reliable?

Being so closely related to Mercedes, it's no surprise the smart forfour is a dependable car.  

The model that ran from 2014-2019 is much better than the previous model, with which it shares no parts . 

With new engines and mechanical parts, the last-generation forfour is a reliable car for first-time drivers and couples (or four people as the name suggests). 

How much does the smart forfour cost to run?

There are two petrol engines and an electric motor on offer.  

The slower 1.0-litre 70hp petrol engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.  

The same goes for the slightly more powerful 0.9-litre 90hp variant.    

In the electric version, there's an electric motor powered by a 17kWh battery that produces 80hp.  

This is the better option if you will be mostly driving your used forfour around town as it produces zero tailpipe emissions.   

Smart claims this all-electric model will go 78 miles on one charge, but this may be less in real-world conditions.  

Who is the smart forfour suitable for?

A used smart forfour is ideal for couples or small families, thanks to its four seats and nippy engines/electric motors.  

If you spend most of your life in a city and could do with the added versatility of the rear seats, this is the car for you. 

Rivalling models include the Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii.