smart forfour cars

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 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, and as of 2020, every model the company sells is fully electric.  

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.  

Trim levels include the Pure, Passion, Prime, Prime Premium, Prime Premium Sport and Brabus Xclusive.

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. 

– Read our Smart ForFour review

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 is even competitive against a London taxi.   

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, of which it shares no parts with it.

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 around 55 miles on one charge.   

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.