Smart EQ forfour

Overview

The 2019 Smart EQ forfour was the brand's quirky four-door, four-seat electric city car, offering a unique solution for urbanites before it was discontinued after this model year. Think of it as the fortwo's slightly more practical sibling, designed purely for zipping around town with zero tailpipe emissions. Its tiny dimensions and electric punch make it a standout for navigating congested streets. As this specific model wasn't officially sold stateside, US pricing isn't available, making it a very rare sight and a true import oddity if found.

What's New for 2019?

For its final model year in this iteration, the 2019 Smart EQ forfour largely carried over its established electric charm. The 'EQ' branding, signifying Mercedes-Benz's electric family, was still relatively fresh, emphasizing its all-electric nature. There weren't major shake-ups for this specific 'forfour' trim in 2019; it represented the refined version of Smart's four-seat EV recipe before a facelift arrived for subsequent model years. It was all about offering a proven, compact electric package tailor-made for the city grind, focusing on its core strengths rather than new gimmicks.

Design & Exterior

The 2019 Smart EQ forfour rocks the brand's unmistakable, almost cartoonishly friendly design, simply stretched to fit those extra rear doors. Measuring a super-compact 137.6 inches long, 65.6 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 61.2 inches tall, it’s an absolute doddle to park in the tightest spots. The signature Tridion safety cell, often in a contrasting hue, shouts Smart from a mile off, giving it a cool two-tone vibe. It's less of a car and more of a style statement on wheels, perfect for those who want to stand out.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Hop inside the EQ forfour, and you’re greeted by a surprisingly bright and funky cabin, designed to maximize every inch. Materials are mostly durable plastics, but fun fabric choices and clever design touches prevent it from feeling drab. It genuinely seats four, though adults in the back won't want to embark on a road trip. For tech, expect the essentials for urban driving. Luggage-wise, you get 6.5 cubic feet in the boot, expanding to a very usable 34.4 cubic feet with the seats down – impressive for its size! No frunk, though.

Performance & Driving Experience

This little electric warrior is way more fun than its specs suggest! The rear-mounted 60 kW (around 80 hp) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor delivers 118 lb-ft of instant torque to the rear wheels, making it properly zippy for city sprints. Nought to 60 mph takes a modest 12.2 seconds, but it’s the immediate shove off the line that counts in traffic. Its turning circle is ridiculously tight, letting you pirouette where others dither. Ride is comfy enough for bumpy city streets, and regenerative braking helps you eke out extra miles.

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2019 Smart EQ forfour is built for urban adventures, packing a 16.7 kWh usable battery. Green Cars Compare calculates its real-world range at a city-friendly 75 miles, returning an efficient 4.49 mi/kWh. When it's time to plug in, the standard 7.2 kW AC on-board charger will get you from empty to full in roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. The provided data for this trim doesn't specify DC fast charging capability. While EU models use a Type 2 (Mennekes) port, a US version would likely feature a J1772 connector.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

For a tiny tot, the EQ forfour didn't skimp too badly on safety, achieving a respectable 4-star rating from Euro NCAP. US-specific NHTSA or IIHS scores aren't on the books as it wasn't sold here. Standard kit often included essentials like multiple airbags and the clever Crosswind Assist, which is a real boon in something this light and tall. Some versions might have had Active Brake Assist to help avoid urban prangs. Don't expect a suite of self-driving aids; its focus is on nimble, driver-involved city safety.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

If the EQ forfour had made it to US shores, you'd typically anticipate a basic vehicle warranty around 3-4 years or 36,000-50,000 miles. The crucial battery pack would likely be covered for about 8 years/100,000 miles against major degradation. One of the big EV perks is reduced maintenance – no messy oil changes! Think tires, brakes, and occasional coolant checks. These electric Smarts were generally sound for city duties, though finding a mechanic with EV know-how would be important for any non-routine work.