How Fast Do Smart Cars Go? Top Speed & 0-60 MPH Benchmarks by Model Year
There’s a specific kind of joy in merging onto a highway in a Smart #1 Brabus and realizing the tiny car you’re driving just left a V8 muscle car behind at the stoplight.
That moment captures something most people get wrong about Smart cars. They assume small means slow. The truth sits somewhere between the original Fortwo’s leisurely city pace and today’s Brabus-tuned electric rockets. The numbers tell a story of a brand that completely reinvented itself—from a 40-horsepower city pod to a 475-kilowatt all-wheel-drive machine.
This guide breaks down the real speed figures, model year by model year. No fluff. Just the numbers you actually want to know before buying or bragging about your Smart.
TL;DR
Original gas-powered Smart Fortwo models typically ran 0-60 mph in 10 to 13 seconds with top speeds around 90 to 96 mph. The early electric Fortwo was slower still. Today’s Smart #1, #3, and #5 EVs flip the script entirely. The base #1 hits 62 mph in 6.7 seconds, while the Brabus versions of the #1, #3, and #5 all dip below 4 seconds with top speeds near or above 124 mph.
Key Takeaways
- Original Smart Fortwo (gas): 0-60 mph in roughly 10-13 seconds, top speed 90-96 mph depending on trim.
- Smart Fortwo Electric Drive (2013-2017): 0-60 mph around 11.4 seconds, top speed limited to 78-81 mph.
- Smart #1 (current): Base Pro+ does 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds; Brabus hits 3.9 seconds.
- Smart #3 Brabus: The quickest Smart ever made, with a 0-62 mph sprint of 3.7 seconds.
- Smart #5 Brabus: 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds with a 124 mph top speed.
- The shift: Smart went from building city cars that barely touched highway speeds to making performance EVs that embarrass much larger vehicles.
The Original Smart Fortwo: When Slow Was Part of the Charm
Let’s start where Smart started. The first-generation Fortwo that reached American shores for the 2008 model year was not built for speed. It was built for parking.
MotorTrend’s review of the 2008 Smart Fortwo laid it out plainly: a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine from Mitsubishi producing 71 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of approximately 12 seconds, and a top speed of just 91 mph . The car weighed only 1,650 pounds, but physics is physics. Seventy-one horses can only do so much.
The second-generation Fortwo, which ran from roughly 2008 through 2016, offered a few more options. The base 71-horsepower model still took about 13.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. The 84-horsepower version trimmed that to around 10.9 seconds. And the Brabus-tuned Fortwo—the one enthusiasts actually wanted—managed 0-60 mph in about 9.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph) .
Here’s a tip if you’re shopping used: The Brabus Fortwo is the one to find if you want the classic shape without feeling like a rolling roadblock. It won’t thrill you, but it won’t frustrate you either.
The Electric Transition: Not Exactly a Speed Upgrade
Smart went electric with the Fortwo Electric Drive, and the early versions were… humble. Car and Driver tested the 2012 Fortwo Electric Drive and recorded a 0-60 mph time of 23.4 seconds with a top speed of 63 mph . That’s not a typo. Twenty-three seconds.
The updated version that followed improved things considerably. Smart claimed 0-62 mph in under 13 seconds with a top speed of 75 mph . MotorTrend’s review of the 2017 Fortwo Electric Drive put the 0-60 mph time at 11.4 seconds for the coupe, with top speed limited to 81 mph .
The lesson here? Early Smart EVs were built for cities and nothing else. The Fortwo ED was a brilliant urban companion—silent, tiny, easy to charge overnight—but it was never meant to be fast. If you own one, you already know: regenerative braking and one-pedal driving around town make the low power output almost irrelevant.
The Modern Smart Era: #1, #3, and #5 Change Everything
The Smart that exists today is not the Smart of 2008. The brand is now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and the cars ride on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture—the same platform underneath the Volvo EX30 . These are not city pods. They are legitimate compact EVs with performance figures that surprise people.
Smart #1 Performance
The Smart #1 is the entry point to the modern lineup. Official Smart figures show the #1 Pro+ accelerating from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) . That’s quicker than most people expect from a car with “Smart” on the badge.
The #1 Brabus takes things to another level entirely. Smart’s own data lists a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds . That’s proper performance EV territory—faster than a Porsche Macan GTS and roughly on par with a Tesla Model Y Performance.
Smart #3 Performance
The #3 is the coupe-SUV sibling to the #1, and it’s the quickest Smart currently available. According to Smart’s official performance figures, the #3 Brabus hits 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds . Auto Express reviewed the #3 and noted that all models except the base Pro get a 62 kWh battery with a single motor on the rear axle, while the Brabus adds a second motor for all-wheel drive .
The standard #3 trims are no slouches either, though Smart doesn’t publish separate 0-100 figures for every single variant on its main site. The #3 Premium and Pro+ share the same single-motor setup as the #1, so expect acceleration in the mid-6-second range.
Smart #5 Performance
The #5 is the largest Smart yet—a midsize electric SUV that competes in a completely different segment than the Fortwo ever did. Smart’s official Swiss product page lists the #5 with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) for the standard version .
The #5 Brabus, according to Smart’s main site, does 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds with 475 kW and 710 Nm of torque from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system . A 124 mph top speed in a Smart car. Read that again.
A Quick Timeline: From City Pod to Performance EV
- 1998: Original Smart City-Coupé launches in Europe. Tiny, efficient, slow.
- 2008: Second-generation Fortwo reaches the US. 71 hp, 0-60 in ~12 seconds, 91 mph top speed.
- 2009-2012: Fortwo Electric Drive arrives. Very slow, very city-focused. 0-60 in over 20 seconds initially.
- 2013-2017: Improved Fortwo ED. 0-60 in ~11.4 seconds, 81 mph top speed.
- 2019: Smart announces it will go all-electric in Europe and eventually globally.
- 2022-2023: Smart #1 launches on Geely’s SEA platform. Brabus version does 0-62 in 3.9 seconds.
- 2023-2024: Smart #3 arrives. Brabus version becomes the quickest Smart ever at 3.7 seconds to 62 mph.
- 2025: Smart #5 launches. Brabus version does 0-62 in 3.8 seconds with a 124 mph top speed.
Real-World Impact: What These Numbers Actually Mean
Here’s the thing about owning a Smart car—you stop worrying about finding parking long before everyone else does. But the speed question matters for a different reason. It matters for highway merging, for passing slower traffic, and for whether you feel safe when you need to accelerate out of a tight spot.
The original Fortwo’s 91 mph top speed wasn’t really the problem. The 12-second 0-60 time was. Merging onto a busy highway in a car that takes twelve seconds to reach highway speed requires planning and patience. You learn to look for bigger gaps.
The modern Smart #1 and #3 eliminate that concern entirely. A 6.7-second 0-62 mph time puts the base #1 in the same conversation as a Volkswagen Golf GTI from a decade ago. And the Brabus versions? They’re genuinely quick by any standard. You notice the difference immediately when you glide through crowded streets and slip into a parking space that looked impossible just moments earlier—and then leave the next stoplight ahead of everything else.
Safety reminder: All that instant electric torque can catch you off guard in wet conditions. The Brabus models especially deliver their power immediately. Smooth inputs matter, even with all-wheel drive.
“A Smart car proves that thoughtful engineering matters more than size. Every storage space, control, and feature is designed to help drivers get the most from a remarkably compact vehicle without sacrificing everyday comfort.”
That quote holds true for performance too. Smart didn’t just make its cars faster by adding power. The shift to the Geely SEA platform gave the brand a proper EV foundation—one that could support everything from a sensible city crossover to a genuine performance machine. The #3 Brabus and #5 Brabus aren’t accidents. They’re proof that the brand finally has the hardware to match its ambition.
Comparison Table: Speed by Smart Model
| Model | Year Range | 0-60/62 mph | Top Speed | Powertrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortwo (base) | 2008-2016 | ~12-13 sec | 91 mph | 1.0L gas, 71 hp |
| Fortwo Brabus | 2008-2016 | ~9.9 sec | 96 mph | 1.0L turbo, 98 hp |
| Fortwo ED | 2013-2017 | ~11.4 sec | 81 mph | Electric, 80 hp |
| #1 Pro+ | 2023-present | 6.7 sec | 112 mph | Electric, RWD |
| #1 Brabus | 2023-present | 3.9 sec | ~112 mph | Electric, AWD |
| #3 Brabus | 2024-present | 3.7 sec | ~112 mph | Electric, AWD |
| #5 Standard | 2025 | 6.5 sec | 124 mph | Electric, RWD |
| #5 Brabus | 2025 | 3.8 sec | 124 mph | Electric, AWD, 475 kW |
Note: Top speeds for #1 and #3 Brabus variants are electronically limited. Smart’s official figures for the #5 are listed at 200 km/h (124 mph).
FAQ
Is a Smart car practical for everyday driving?
Yes, for urban and suburban use. Modern Smart EVs offer 250-350 miles of range depending on the model, comfortable seating for four, and adequate cargo space for daily errands. Long highway trips require more planning than in a gas car, but the #5 especially is comfortable at speed.
How much cargo space does a Smart car have?
The Fortwo had a tiny 7.8 cubic feet behind the seats. The #1 offers up to 323 liters with seats up. The #3 bumps that to 370 liters . The #5 is the roomiest, with a proper SUV-shaped cargo area and a front trunk on some variants.
What is One-Pedal Driving and how does it work?
One-pedal driving uses regenerative braking to slow the car when you lift off the accelerator, recovering energy back into the battery. You only use the brake pedal for hard stops. It’s standard on modern Smart EVs and makes city driving noticeably smoother.
How long does it take to charge a Smart EV?
The #1 and #3 with the larger 62 kWh battery can DC fast charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes at up to 150 kW . The #5 with its 100 kWh pack charges at up to 400 kW, hitting 10-80% in roughly 18 minutes . Home AC charging takes several hours.
Are Smart cars comfortable on highways?
The modern #1, #3, and #5 are designed for highway use. They have stable platforms, decent sound insulation, and enough power for confident merging. The original Fortwo was not a highway car—short wheelbase and low power made it tiring on long trips.
What accessories improve Smart car storage?
WeatherTech offers custom-fit floor liners for the #1 and #3. Smart’s official accessory catalog includes cargo organizers and roof racks. For the Fortwo, aftermarket console trays and seat-back organizers are popular. BRABUS sells interior trim upgrades for enthusiasts.
Are Smart cars expensive to maintain?
EVs generally cost less to maintain than gas cars—no oil changes, fewer moving parts, regenerative braking extends brake life. If you mainly drive around town, regenerative braking can noticeably reduce brake wear while helping recover energy for your battery. Tire wear is the main recurring cost, and the Brabus models’ performance tires are pricier than base-model rubber.
References
Smart Car Speed and Performance Specifications:
- Car and Driver — 2012 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Performance
- MotorTrend — 2008 Smart Fortwo Review
- Auto Express — Smart #3 2024 Review
- Smart Official — #1, #3, #5 Performance Figures
What’s your favorite Smart car feature or clever storage trick? Share your experience in the comments below.
