Used smart forfour cars for sale

The smart ForFour was first introduced in 2004 as a more practical alternative to the brand's iconic two-seater, the ForTwo. Returning in 2014 after an eight-year hiatus, the Mk2 edition shares its rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive architecture with the Renault Twingo. Offering a unique blend of compact dimensions and increased practicality, the ForFour is a strong competitor in the crowded city car market, rivalling vehicles like the Škoda Citigo, Hyundai i10 and the Toyota Aygo.

The broad array of trim levels and options means there’s a variant to suit everyone. Even the base trim, the passion, comes well equipped with features like automatic climate control, a leather steering wheel and cruise control. Higher-end models like the prime offer additional luxuries such as a retracting fabric roof and leather seats. The brand has also introduced a range of limited-edition models with unique features and styling.

smart ForFour updates and facelifts

Thanks to its distinctive design and rich array of customisation options, including a choice of 40 colours, the ForFour enjoys great popularity among urban motorists. Plus, its compact dimensions make parking and manoeuvring around the city effortless. The model is perfect for first-time motorists and those seeking an easy-to-drive runaround. The ForFour was awarded City Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year awards in 2016 thanks to its drivability, style and low running costs.

The first-generation smart ForFour was on the market for a two-year period. It returned in its more familiar guise – the Mk2 edition – in 2014. This re-introduction of the ForFour saw a number of major updates, with a refreshed and distinctive design based on its ForTwo sibling.

The vehicle also came equipped with a choice of two three-cylinder petrol engines: a 1.0-litre unit producing 70bhp and a turbocharged 0.9-litre engine with 90bhp. smart ended the production of new ForFour models in 2019, introducing the all-electric EQ ForFour as a replacement.

Practicality and style of the car

When it comes to boot space, the ForFour offers 185 litres with all seats in place. This is similar to the 196 litres provided by the Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1 and plenty of room for a grocery shop or gym bag. The rear seats can be manipulated in multiple ways to provide extra space when required. You can either flip down the seat bottoms for storing taller items or fold the seat backs forward to reveal a flat load area of 975 litres.

Additionally, the front passenger seat folds down, extending the flat load bay to a length of 2.2 metres. The ForFour's practicality doesn't end there. Underneath the rear seats, you'll find additional storage space, perfect for smaller items or emergency supplies.

Running costs

The smart ForFour is an economical choice for those looking to keep running costs low. It falls into insurance groups 2–12 out of 50, making it comparable to other city cars in terms of premiums. As such it’s a comparatively low-cost option for many motorists.

Depending on the trim and age of the vehicle, annual road tax will vary. Some models manufactured before April 2017 are completely exempt from road tax, while those produced thereafter incur the standard annual fee of £180.

How a used smart ForFour drives

The smart ForFour offers a unique driving experience, especially in city environments. The model is built on a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture which gives the vehicle a compact design and excellent turning circle, making parking and navigating narrow city streets a breeze for the driver.

The smart ForFour comes with two engine options. The first is the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 70bhp and 91Nm of torque. Available with manual or twin-clutch automatic transmission, it reaches 62mph from a standstill in 16.9 seconds, and returns a combined fuel economy of between 54.3 and 67.3mpg.

For a little more power and responsiveness, choose the turbocharged 0.9-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. With an output of 90bhp and 135Nm of torque, it can take you from 0-62mph in as little as 10.5 seconds, depending on your choice of manual or automatic gearbox. It also offers a similar fuel efficiency to its sibling, returning between 52.3 to 65.7mpg on the combined cycle.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2014 - 2019

Engine	Official WLTP MPG
0.9	47.9 mpg
0.9 Automatic	47.9 mpg
1.0 71	43.5 mpg
1.0 71 Automatic	43.5 mpg

Features you can expect in a smart ForFour

Interior

Choose a smart ForFour and you'll find that it offers a unique blend of practicality and style, particularly suited for city driving. The car's layout is key to its generous interior space, making it less cramped than its predecessor and on par with others in its class. What’s more, the rear doors open almost at right angles, making it easier to get children into car seats or to load shopping.

The smart ForFour is designed with convenience in mind. The intelligent rear-engine layout allows for a spacious rear seating area that is ideally suited to children and teens but can accommodate two adults on shorter journeys. The interior is adorned with bold colours and high-quality materials such as soft-touch plastics, giving it a distinctive look. The dashboard features gauges and displays that are reminiscent of those found in larger models from smart’s parent company, Mercedes-Benz. What’s more, the leather-wrapped steering wheel adds a touch of luxury and also provides a comfortable grip for the driver.

Storage in the smart ForFour includes a useful drawer under the gear lever, where snacks or loose change can be stored out of sight. There’s also a glovebox and reasonably sized door bins as well as a pair of cup holders. For longer journeys, there’s a removable storage box that sits between the rear seats. This provides stowage for drinks and other items.

The infotainment system in the smart ForFour is particularly noteworthy. The touchscreen interface, which is another shared component with the Renault Twingo, serves as the central hub for various functions. It offers essential infotainment features such as Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and music streaming, as well as USB and Aux ports for additional media options. The system is user-friendly, with intuitive menus and responsive touch controls, making it easy to navigate through various settings and options.

Technology

When it comes to driving technology, the smart ForFour is a standout performer, offering a range of features that cater to modern-day conveniences and connectivity. You'll find a host of standard features that elevate the driving experience, with automatic climate control ensuring a comfortable cabin environment, adapting to external conditions without requiring manual adjustments. Cruise control is another standard feature, helping to make long motorway drives more relaxing by maintaining a constant speed without manual intervention.

As you move up the trim levels, additional technological features become available. For instance, the prime trim offers a panoramic sunroof that can be electronically controlled, providing an open-air experience at the touch of a button. The top-tier proxy trim, meanwhile, takes technology to the next level. Features like advanced navigation options and smartphone integration enable you to seamlessly connect your device and access apps, maps and more. This trim also offers the ‘smart Audio-System’ for an enhanced acoustic experience.

Safety

The smart ForFour is designed with safety as a priority. Awarded a four-star Euro NCAP rating in 2014, it includes front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control as standard. The way it’s constructed also makes it very good at absorbing the force of any impacts.

Adult and child occupant protection scored 78% and 77% respectively – very similar to the Peugeot 108 and 2014 Hyundai i10. Choose the prime trim and you’ll also get lane-keeping assistance, which helps to prevent you from straying off course on the motorway.

Trims available on the smart ForFour

smart ForFour passion

passion variants come equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, hand-adjustable side mirrors, a removable rear storage compartment and a multifunction steering wheel. You’ll also get a 12-volt power outlet, automatic climate control, keyless central locking and power-operated windows. In addition to a colour display for instruments, there’s an audio setup that supports Aux, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity. Additional features include stop/start technology, crosswind stabilisation, cruise control with speed limiter, hill start assistance, dual ISOFIX anchor points, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

smart ForFour prime

Upgrading to the prime trim brings in a panoramic sunroof, a different 15-inch alloy wheel design, a holder for sunglasses, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and lane keeping assistance.

smart ForFour proxy

The top-of-the-line proxy trim further enhances the package with 16-inch alloy wheels, pedals finished in brushed stainless steel, a 10mm reduced ride height, and a chrome-plated exhaust tip.

Search our stock of used smart ForFour cars for sale.