Smart ForTwo

Smart ForTwo at a glance

The ForTwo is a two-seat microcar built around a steel safety structure called the Tridion cell. Its body is a small two-door hatchback, which Smart calls a coupé, and each generation also had a cabrio. The name simply means "for two".

The brand grew out of a Swatch idea and was then run by Daimler, so the car is often grouped with German cars, although it was built in France (see our history of Smart). Hambach built 1,946,191 ForTwos up to January 2018; orders stopped in April 2023.

Smart ForTwo generations compared

Smart built three ForTwo generations. Daimler's internal codes are C450, C451 and C453 for the coupé and A450, A451 and A453 for the cabrio; some sources use W450, W451 and W453 instead.

First generation: C450 (1998–2007)

The original car, coded MC01 in some sources, was launched at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. It was about 2.5 m (98 in) long and weighed about 770 kg (1,698 lb). A facelift followed in 2002–2003, and the windscreen-less Crossblade roadster was built in a run of about 2,000 cars. Early cars now sit among the classic cars of the 1990s.

Second generation: C451 (2007–2014)

The second ForTwo was shown in Bologna in December 2006 and reached US showrooms in January 2008. At 2,690 mm (105.9 in) it was 195–200 mm longer than the first car, and it gained Mitsubishi three-cylinder petrol engines. A facelift shown in Geneva in 2012 updated the exterior for the 2013 model year.

Third generation: C453 (2014–2024)

The third generation was presented in Berlin on 16 July 2014 and went on sale on 22 November 2014. It was developed with Renault and shares much of its engineering with the Twingo III, including Renault-built petrol engines. Length stayed the same, but width grew to 1,660 mm (65.4 in), and 75% of the Tridion cell is high-strength steel. Orders for the 71 PS and 90 PS petrol versions closed on 31 March 2019, leaving only the electric car.

ForTwo engines, transmissions and performance

Every ForTwo uses a rear-mounted three-cylinder engine or an electric motor, and each generation brought new engines and gearboxes.

• C450: a 599 cc turbo petrol with 33 kW (45 PS) or 45 kW (61 PS), replaced after the facelift by a 698 cc unit with 37 kW (50 PS) or 45 kW (61 PS). From January 2000 a 799 cc CDI diesel offered 30 kW (41 PS). A six-speed Getrag automated manual had no clutch pedal, and top speed was limited to 135 km/h (84 mph).
• C451: the 999 cc Mitsubishi 3B2 with 45 kW (61 PS), 52 kW (71 PS) or, as a turbo, 62 kW (84 PS); the CDI gave 33–40 kW (45–54 PS). The Getrag gearbox now had five speeds. The turbo reached 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 9.9 seconds and 145 km/h (90 mph).
• C453: a 1.0-litre with 45 kW (61 PS) or 52 kW (71 PS) and a 0.9-litre turbo with 66 kW (90 PS), all Euro 6. Buyers chose a five-speed manual or the six-speed twinamic dual-clutch gearbox.

The second generation's "mhd" (micro hybrid drive) is a start-stop system with a belt-driven starter-generator, not a hybrid. It cut CO2 emissions from 112 to 103 g/km.

Brabus versions

Brabus tuned every generation: a 0.7-litre with 55 kW (75 PS) in 2003, a 1.0 turbo with 72 kW (98 PS) and later 75 kW (102 PS) in the C451, and a 0.9 turbo with 80 kW (109 PS) from July 2016. The 2017 Brabus Ultimate 125 had 92 kW (125 PS) and was limited to 125 cars.

Electric drive and EQ fortwo

About 2,100 second-generation electric drive cars were built from late 2009. The ED 3, sold from mid-2012 to August 2015, had a 17.6 kWh battery, and ADAC measured 13.04 kWh/100 km; about 90% of buyers leased the battery. The third-generation ED4 of March 2017 was renamed EQ fortwo in March 2018 and gained an optional 22 kW onboard charger that May.

Key specifications: EQ fortwo (third generation)

The EQ fortwo was the final ForTwo, built until 2024.

The two range figures come from different test cycles and cannot be compared directly.

ForTwo dimensions, interior space and boot

The ForTwo has no rear seat, so all the space goes to two occupants and the boot. The C453 carries a payload of 270 kg (595 lb) and turns in 6.95 m kerb to kerb (7.30 m between walls), which is the car's real advantage in town. The C451 weighed 780–820 kg (1,720–1,808 lb).

ForTwo fuel economy and running costs

All official figures below were measured on the older NEDC cycle.

We found no dated, sourced running-cost data for the ForTwo, so we do not quote service prices.

Trims and equipment

Trim names such as "passion" changed often, so check equipment car by car. Dated launch prices give a sense of the range: the C453 started at €10,895 in November 2014, the 80 kW (109 PS) Brabus at €19,170 in July 2016 and the ED4 at €21,940 in March 2017.

Safety ratings by year

Each result applies only to the generation and year tested.

The 2014 rating also covers the cabrio and electric drive; the tested car lacked automatic emergency braking.

ForTwo reliability and common problems by generation

The newest data comes from German TÜV inspections, published by AUTO BILD on 6 August 2026 for the C451 and C453 together.

Common findings were misaligned low beams, weakening rear lights and footbrake complaints. The C451 showed brake-line issues; the C453 had worn discs and worn suspension link mountings at five to nine years. Oil loss appears mainly on 11-year-old cars. For the C450, What Car cites owner reports of gearbox faults and steering joints needing attention, without a survey year.

Rivals: how the Smart ForTwo compares

UK reviewers such as Carbuyer measure the ForTwo against the four-seat Volkswagen up!; the Toyota Aygo and Citroën C1 are other alternatives. They offer rear seats, while the ForTwo is much shorter and turns tighter. Its closest relative is the Renault Twingo III. Browse all Smart models, including the four-seat forfour.