2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Road Test and Review

2017 smart electric exterior profile1 ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

The 2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive is the battery-powered version of the car that makes other subcompacts look big. This is a 2-seater that’s just under nine feet long. For comparison, the 4-door 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is nearly 14 feet long. Closing the 2-piece tailgate and then walking around to the Smart's door takes some getting used to, because it’s just a short step away. These tiny dimensions have an upside in the city, where Smart says its Fortwo Electric Drive makes the most sense. It can squeeze into parking spaces the rest of us would have to drive past. And the turning circle is exceptionally tight at 22.8 feet, making maneuverability a strong asset. Let’s go into some more virtues—and maybe some vices.

Pricing

The 2017 smart fortwo electric drive goes on sale in the spring of 2017. Official pricing will be announced nearer launch time, but expect something in the ballpark of $25,000. Anyone interested in leasing could be thinking in terms of $140 a month. Smart intends to sell it in all 50 states, not just the usual regions where zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) are favored. Remember there’s currently a federal tax credit of up to $7500 when buying a car using alternative fuel. Certain states also offer rebates, plus solo use of the HOV lane and parking spaces. Automatic climate control, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth and multi-function cruise control buttons on the steering wheel are all standard. There are three trim levels: Pure, Passion, and Prime.

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Design

The 2017 Smart Electric is a clever piece of packaging; there’s really nothing else that looks like it. This generation is wider than its predecessor, bringing a little more interior space and a wider track (the distance between the wheels at each axle) for greater stability. Most smart cars have a two-tone color scheme that highlights the steel safety cell (more on that in the Safety section). The company also offers a extensive palette of exterior colors. Design isn’t just about looks, it’s also about intent and use. The previous-generation Smart was named the “most environment-friendly car in the USA” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. This generation is no less efficient in its production methods.

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Comfort and Cargo

Headroom is generous, legroom is more than adequate, and chances are most occupants won’t be nudging elbows. The driving position of the 2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive is quite upright and set somewhat high, which is good for outward vision. If the range is 75 miles, then the seats are perfectly comfortable for that distance. The passenger seat can also fold flat for a little extra help in the hauling department. Behind the seats and above the engine bay is eight cubic feet of cargo space. This EV version rides better than the internal-combustion model. Perhaps it's the battery pack’s weight and placement, but there’s a comfort to the suspension. It doesn’t have the occasional jitteriness that afflicts the Fortwo fitted with a gasoline engine.

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Features and Controls

There’s no real learning curve involved, beyond making sure there’s sufficient juice left in the battery to reach the charging station (there’s an extra dial near the left A-pillar displaying vital battery information). It’s just a question of putting the shift lever into D and driving off. Naturally, there’s an app. It can display how the charging is going, or indeed how much charge is left. And while the car is plugged in, the cabin can be pre-heated or pre-cooled.

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Safety

The particular thing about Smart cars—gasoline or electric—is this: They have a Tridion safety cell, an exoskeleton of sorts made of high-strength steel. We’ve seen the results of some deliberate crashes and this tiny car handles them extremely well. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did some crash-testing on the gasoline-powered 2016 Fortwo and gave the car its top rating of Good in side and moderate front overlap impacts. The braking system has discs at the front and drums at the back. Eight airbags are standard, and the traction control system includes a feature called Crosswind Assist which lightly brakes individual wheels to keep the Fortwo going staight instead of being blown off course.

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Engines and Fuel Economy

An electric motor developing 80 horsepower and 118 lb.-ft. of torque drives the rear wheels for a range of around 75 miles. The Environmental Protection Agency has a method of working out “miles per gallon equivalent” and the Fortwo Electric Drive is rated at 134 MPGe in the city and 102 MPGe on the highway. Using a 240-volt charger, it takes about 2.5 hours to reach an 80 percent charge. The battery pack is temperature-controlled by liquid, and the whole thing is made by Accumotive, which—like the Smart brand—is owned by Daimler, who feels confident enough to warranty it for eight years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

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Performance

Some electric vehicles—the BMW i3, for example—have a one-pedal driving approach, meaning that it’s not always necessary to hit the brake pedal when slowing down. Just ease off the accelerator and the regenerative braking system (which feeds energy back into the battery) provides enough retardation. Getting used to it is quick and easy. Although this Smart has regenerative braking, the one-pedal idea isn’t so pronounced. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems like a missed opportunity to optimize range. Otherwise, the 2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive car doesn’t exactly sprint so much as make a keen trot from standstill to 60 mph, which happens in 11.2 seconds. That’s still sprightly enough for some city cut-and-thrust.

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Final Thoughts

Despite the brand name, the Fortwo doesn’t appear that smart. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt has an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles, so the Smart's 75-mile scope seems to belong to the early days of electric vehicles. The super-compact dimensions and relatively light weight really ought to have a more positive impact. But naturally, that diminutive size means it can’t accommodate a larger battery pack. Like most electric vehicles, the 2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive makes a good second car. Or perhaps some right-on eco-friendly parents can get one for their college kid, safe in the knowledge that he or she won’t be speeding or having a car full of rowdy friends.

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