Smart #1 vs Smart Fortwo: Old vs New Smart Cars—A Tale of Two Eras
There’s a moment when you park a modern Smart #1 next to a classic Fortwo and realize you’re looking at two completely different philosophies separated by a quarter-century of automotive evolution.
One is a tiny two-seater built for threading European alleyways. The other is a five-seat electric crossover packed with tech and enough power to embarrass a hot hatch. They share a badge, but that’s about where the similarities end. Let’s break down exactly how these two generations compare.
The Quick Version
The original Smart Fortwo was a 2.5-meter city microcar with minimal power and a single purpose: urban parking. The new Smart #1 is a 4.3-meter electric SUV with up to 422 horsepower, seating for five, and enough range for weekend getaways. They represent a complete brand reinvention under Geely ownership.
Size: The Growth Is Staggering
Here’s the headline figure: the Smart #1 is roughly 1.5 meters (or 60 inches) longer than the Fortwo . That’s more than the height of an average person. Let that sink in.
| Dimension | Smart Fortwo (Classic) | Smart #1 (Modern) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | ~2.7 meters (106 inches) | ~4.3 meters (168 inches) |
| Width | ~1.56 meters (61 inches) | ~1.82 meters (72 inches) |
| Wheelbase | ~1.87 meters (73.5 inches) | 2.75 meters (108 inches) |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
The original Fortwo measured just 2.5 meters from bumper to bumper—you could park two of them end-to-end in a single space . The #1, by contrast, is roughly the size of a VW Polo . It’s not a small car anymore.
Power and Performance: From Toad to Rocket
The Fortwo wasn’t built for speed. Early models made between 45 and 61 horsepower from a tiny 600cc engine, and hitting 60 mph took about 18 seconds . Later gas versions bumped that to around 70 hp, but it was never quick .
The Smart #1 is a different beast entirely. The entry-level version packs 268 horsepower and sprints from 0-62 mph in just 6.7 seconds . In testing, some outlets clocked it even faster at 5.8 seconds .
And then there’s the Brabus version.
The Smart #1 Brabus produces 422 horsepower and 543 Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in a blistering 3.9 seconds . That’s supercar territory from a car that used to be a running joke for its lack of pace. It’s more than 14 times the power of the original Fortwo .
Range and Charging
The Fortwo Electric Drive (the later EV version) had a modest 74 hp and a range of about 87 miles. It was fine for city errands but not much else .
The Smart #1, built on Geely’s SEA platform (the same one used by Volvo’s EX30), offers up to 440 km (273 miles) of WLTP range from its 66 kWh battery . It also supports DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, getting from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes . That’s proper road-trip capability.
The Business Case for the Change
Why the complete reinvention? The original Smart concept was noble but financially disastrous. Between 1998 and 2013, Mercedes is estimated to have lost roughly $6,100 on every Smart car it sold . The brand was bleeding money.
In 2019, Mercedes formed a 50/50 joint venture with Chinese automaker Geely . The result? Larger, more profitable electric vehicles built on Geely’s scalable architecture. The #1, #3, and #5 are the first fruits of this partnership. They’re not quirky city cars anymore—they’re premium compact SUVs designed to compete with the Volvo EX30 and Hyundai Kona Electric.
Practicality: Two People vs. Five People
The Fortwo was famously impractical beyond city duties. It seated two people, offered minimal cargo space, and had a turning circle so tight (just 3.5 meters) it could turn around in a phone booth .
The #1 seats five adults, has a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and luggage space that expands from 273 to 411 litres with the rear seats slid forward . It’s a genuinely usable family car.
Tech and Interior
Forget the Fortwo’s basic interior. The Smart #1 comes loaded with modern tech—a large central touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity, and advanced driver-assistance systems. It’s a thoroughly modern EV cabin.
The Verdict: Which One Wins?
These two cars are almost impossible to compare directly because they serve entirely different purposes.
Buy a used Smart Fortwo if:
- You need the absolute smallest car for city parking
- You’re on a tight budget
- You want the quirky, original Smart character
- Range and practicality aren’t priorities
Buy a new Smart #1 if:
- You need a practical, everyday EV for a family
- You want strong performance and decent range
- Modern tech and safety features matter to you
- You have a larger budget (the #1 starts around $55,000 in some markets)
The Smart Fortwo was a niche vehicle for a specific urban lifestyle. The Smart #1 is a mainstream competitor in the crowded compact EV market. One is a historical curiosity; the other is the future of the brand.
What’s your take on Smart’s transformation—genius reinvention or loss of the brand’s soul? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
References
Smart Model Comparison Sources:
- MotorTrend – Smart #5 Brabus First Drive & Brand History
- Carsales – Smart #1 2026 Pricing & Specifications
- Oto – Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Specifications
- What Car? – Smart #1 Used Review & Performance Data
- Edmunds – 2012 Smart Fortwo Specifications
- Irish Independent – Smart #1 Review & Range Tests
