Smart Forfour EQ Electric

Twice the accommodation of the Smart ForTwo, still a city-friendly package

Introduction

The Smart ForTwo has been beloved of city dwellers and hipsters for over twenty years now, and today’s range is exclusively battery powered. But what happens when those millennials meet, marry and produce offspring? Step forward the Smart ForFour; it takes up a little more road space but offers a lot more interior space. ​

The new smart forfour can be discovered at smart of Southend, smart of Ipswich and smart of Lakeside.

Smart New Car Range

Performance

All the Smart EQ models are powered by the same 82hp/60kW electric motor and 17.6kWh battery. Maximum range is between 71.4 and 80.7 miles which is fine for city use or local journeys (more range would require a larger battery and a bigger body to house it) and the battery itself is guaranteed for 8 years or 62,500 miles. 0-62mph takes 12.7 seconds and the instant response off the line makes the Smart EQ ForFour feel eager and snappy in urban streets. A 22kW fast charger will boost the battery charge from 10% up to 80% in less than 40 minutes, while a home charger will do the same in around 3 hours and 18 minutes.​

Design

The Smart ForTwo is unmistakable, being just 2.7 metres long by 1.55 metres tall. Extending the wheelbase to give the ForFour four doors and a second row of seats creates a more conventional-looking hatchback, but still with that familiar Smart ‘face’. A design update in 2020 included a smoother bonnet, larger grille and new lights, along with different wheel designs.​​

The interior features a new centre console, including new cupholders and a place for smartphones, and the quality of the materials is excellent. Boot space is 185 litres, but you can flip the rear seat bases up to create a little more storage or even fold both seats down entirely for larger items. ​​

Technology

The Smart EQ ForFour is available in four trim levels; Passion Advanced, Pulse Premium, Prime Exclusive and the flagship Edition One. All feature a 3.5” TFT colour display for instrumentation and the Smart Media-System including navigation, high resolution 7-inch multitouch display, Charge Spot Finder, Bluetooth® Android Auto, Mirror Link®3 and DAB digital radio. ​​

The Smart EQ control app connects your smartphone to the Smart and allows you to pre-warm or cool the interior remotely, check on the state of charge or look for the nearest charging station. The Pulse Premium trim level adds a rear view camera and Prime Exclusive has all this plus full LED headlights, pre-installation for an iPad and heated front seats. ​​

Safety​

The ForFour’s standard safety systems include ABS anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, Active Brake Assist, Crosswind Assist and Hill Start Assist as well as the ESP Electronic Stability Program. The battery is set in a robust underbody frame and the Tridon safety cell that surrounds the occupants is made of 75% high-strength steels.​

Verdict

Electric power and city streets are an obvious match – no pollution, quiet running, plenty of zip away from traffic lights and a clear environmental conscience. The Smart EQ ForFour shares the style and the technology of the iconic ForTwo and makes it an even more versatile proposition thanks to those two extra seats in the back.