2016 Smart Fortwo Review

4.8

Key Specs

Avg. Price on CARFAX

$10,548

Original Base Price

$14,650

MPG Range
32 city / 39 hwy
Standard Powertrain
89 hp, 0.9-Liter, I3
Standard Seating
2 Passengers
Standard Drivetrain
RWD
Max Cargo Space
N/A
NHTSA Safety Rating
N/A

Insights

Reliability & Repair Costs
Likelihood of Repairs19%
Est. Annual Cost of Repairs$260/yr
What's for Sale?
Listings With No Accidents Reported53%
Listings With Only One Owner Reported13%

2016 Smart Fortwo Overview

Pros

  • City-friendly dimensions
  • Impressive fuel economy

Cons

  • Harsh ride
  • Sluggish acceleration

Expert Review

ByWarren Clarke

Is the 2016 Smart Fortwo Right for You?

What Is It & Who Is It For?

The 2016 Smart Fortwo is a subcompact two-door hatchback that seats two people, available with either a gas or an electric powertrain. The Fortwo is geared toward drivers seeking a very small car that’s easy to maneuver and park in the city.

What Makes It Unique?

The Fortwo stands out as one of the smallest cars in its class. Its tiny footprint allows it to fit into parking spaces too small for other cars in the segment, but that comes at the expense of cargo space and passenger capacity. The Fortwo seats just two, while rival models seat up to five. Smart’s pint-sized hauler also has a lot less room for cargo than competing cars.

Fortwo vs. Other Smart Models

Smart’s product range consists of just one vehicle: the Fortwo.

Smart Fortwo vs. Competition

People choose subcompact cars for their budget-friendly pricing and frugal fuel economy. The Fortwo competes with these rivals:

  • Kia Rio: Stylish cabin and agreeable handling.
  • Nissan Versa: One of the most upscale cabins in the class.
  • Mini Cooper: A nimble and athletic performer.

Is the 2016 Model Year Right for You?

Changes for 2016

  • Gas version is fully redesigned (no changes for electric Fortwo)

2016 Smart Fortwo vs. Older Fortwos

The gas-powered 2016 Fortwo marks the introduction of the car’s third generation. That means older versions of this car will differ from the 2016 Fortwo in design and feature content. The electric Fortwo is part of a generation that debuted with the 2013 model. Any 2013-2015 electric Fortwo will be broadly similar to the 2016 model, so you could save money by purchasing one of these used cars.

You can find a used Smart Fortwo with Carfax’s used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the Fortwo from other model years

Which 2016 Smart Fortwo Trim Is the Best Value?

Original MSRP:

  • Pure: $14,650
  • Passion: $16,140
  • Prime: $17,490
  • Proxy: $18,480
  • Electric Base: $25,000

The Pure trim will be an ideal choice for many shoppers. It comes with 15-inch wheels, cruise control, power windows, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a two-speaker stereo, and LED daytime running lights.

Find a used Smart Fortwo Pure

If you want an electrified version of the Fortwo, the Electric Base is the sole trim available. It comes with a panoramic sunroof, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

2016 Smart Fortwo Safety Features

Key Standard Features

  • All the safety features required by federal law, such as airbags and stability control.

Key Optional Features

2016 Smart fortwo Trim Configurations

Reliability & Repair Costs for the 2016 Smart Fortwo

Overall Annual Repair Estimate
VehicleLikelihood of RepairsEst. Cost of Repairs
2016 Smart Fortwo19%$260

Based on average and expected mileage for 2016 Sub Compact Car.

Annual Repair Cost Details

Likelihood of RepairsEst. Cost of Repairs
Vehicle Repairs
Brakes10%$260
Electrical System2%$160
Heating and Cooling<1%$500
Powertrain6%$300
Steering & Suspension1%$220

This is the estimated average cost of repairs. Repairs are separate from regular maintenance, such as oil changes. Some repairs may be under warranty.

Last updated: October 17, 2023

Find a Used 2016 Smart Fortwo

Shop by Model Year

2016 Smart Fortwo Safety

IIHS Crash-Test Ratings

IIHS tests evaluate two aspects of safety: crashworthiness — how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash — andcrash avoidance and mitigation — technology that can prevent a crash or lessen its severity.

Crashworthiness

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

N/A

Small Overlap Front - Passenger Side

N/A

Moderate Overlap Front

Good

Side Impact

Good

Roof Strength

N/A

Head Restraints and Seats

N/A
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation

Front Crash Prevention

with optional equipment

Basic

Headlights

N/A
Seat Belts & Child Restraints

Latch

N/A

Ratings only apply to the model tested. Date of manufacture and optional safety equipment can affect results. For full details visitiihs.org.

2016 Smart Fortwo Safety Features

  • Child seat anchors LATCH system
  • Crumple zones front, rear
  • Front Driver Airbags Standard
  • Front Passenger Airbags Standard
  • Side Impact Airbags Standard
  • Side Curtain Airbags Standard
  • Brake Assist Standard
  • Electronic Stability Control Standard
  • Daytime Running Lights Standard
  • Anti-lock brakes Four Wheel Standard

User Reviews for the 2016 Smart Fortwo

Overall Rating

4.8
62 Reviews
5 Star

83.9%

4 Star

12.9%

3 Star

1.6%

2 Star

0%

1 Star

1.6%

  • Interior
    4.8
  • Exterior
    4.8
  • Performance
    4.9
  • Family
    3.6
  • Cost
    4.7
1 - 5 of 62 reviews
Write a Review
5/5
by GreetVB on

Great little car

Surprisingly roomy inside! As reported by the many passengers that rode with me over the years.

4/5
by Pee~Tar&Feather on

Around Town Travel

Great Car roads in this area a bit rough for such a small vehicle.

5/5
by Driver of Zippy and Skippy on

Have gotten up to 51mpg highway brown 29-42 city

They NEVER should have stopped making the 2016-17 gasoline models. Parking is FUN seriously, getting gas is FUN. It takes premium and the most I’ve ever spent at the pump is $35 plus I’m not standing outside for more than 4 minutes filling it up. Mine has the Nav system which is a big plus. The back is big enough to hold groceries for 4 for the week. The interior fits a 6’3 stout man just fine. Obviously being a 2 seater, you can’t take everyone. But that can be a blessing as well. People will look, and ask questions, I’ve taken relatives and strangers for rides to show off the turning radius as well as its 0-50 capabilities. Compared to current car prices a used 2016-2017 gas Smart is a very wise choice. When I bought my first one, I was cautious and hoping it wouldn’t disappoint. I drove ot 151 miles home from the dealership, yes 151 miles, filled it up…just about 3 gallons. Then after 3-4 months I kept watching prices worried that I paid too much, but the price was still rising as gas prices did also. I saw another with 8,200 original miles and snagged it up. So for 30k I have 2 cars good to low miles on them getting almost twice the mpg of most vehicles, no parking headaches, no gas station blues, and piece of mind on their reliability and safety. Biggest mechanical worries were the battery ( 6 years old) and a bypass valve which is kind of a warranty replacement. Also the cup holders won’t fit the fatter US bottles and cans Advice: look at price, and strangely enough, the former Canadian units get 3 mpg more than the US units.

5/5
by Pearl's Golf Cart! on

All the ladies at Lake Ashton Gof Club are jealous!

Such fun to drive, both in our community and on the open road. To top it off, Larry had a sign made that says "Pearl's Golf Cart"! Does everything I want from a car - gets me to my volunteer job, Dr appointments, and to my Bridge and MahJongg games. Forsure, the other love in my life.

5/5
by BusyBee23 on

Great gas mileage, plenty of leg/head room

Routine maintenance. Plenty of room for comfortable ride. Great gas mileage and able to park anywhere. Cargo space holds more than expected.

1 - 5 of 62 reviews

2016 Smart Fortwo Pricing

The data below is updated daily, based on used car inventory for sale on CARFAX.

Original MSRP $14,650 - $18,480
Avg. Price on CARFAX $11,073
Avg. CARFAX Value $10,548

2016 Smart Fortwo Pricing By Trim

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Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Smart Fortwo

What is the average combined fuel economy for the 2016 Smart Fortwo?
The 2016 Smart Fortwo gets a combined 35 mpg.