Smart EQ forfour

Overview

The 2022 Smart EQ forfour was the all-electric, four-door city slicker from Mercedes-backed Smart, marking its final year before discontinuation. Designed purely for urban jungles, its tiny footprint and electric pep made it a unique proposition. While never officially sold new in the US, meaning no standard MSRP or used market prices exist here, its appeal was its sheer maneuverability and zero-emission city driving. Think of it as a nimble electric pod for navigating tight city streets, offering a surprisingly fun, albeit short-ranged, electric experience for four.

What's New for 2022?

For 2022, the Smart EQ forfour was essentially a carry-over model, representing the final chapter for this iteration of Smart's electric four-seater. The big news was that this was its swan song year, as Smart globally had already transitioned to an all-electric brand. So, no major new tech or design overhauls for this cheeky EV in its last year; it was more about consolidating its position as a compact urban EV before Smart's future direction under Geely's joint ownership took shape with newer models. It remained focused on its core city-car mission.

Design & Exterior

Rocking that classic, unmistakably Smart design language, the EQ forfour is a masterclass in compact packaging. It’s short, narrow, and tall, making it a king in tight urban spaces. Dimensions are a diminutive 137.6 inches long, 65.6 inches wide (no mirrors), and 61.2 inches high. The exposed Tridion safety cell, often in a contrasting color, gives it a funky, two-tone look that stands out. Small wheels pushed to the corners and minimal overhangs scream 'city car!' It’s not aggressive, but rather cheeky and clever, perfect for zipping through traffic with a smile.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the EQ forfour, it's a surprisingly airy and characterful cabin for its size, though materials are what you'd expect for a budget city EV – functional and durable. It seats four, but rear passengers better be good friends or on a short hop! Cargo-wise, you get a tiny 6.5 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a more useful 34.4 cubic feet with seats down. No frunk here, unfortunately. Infotainment typically centered around a touchscreen, likely with smartphone integration like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, keeping things simple for the urban warrior.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect Tesla-like launches, but the EQ forfour is zippy where it counts! Its rear-mounted 60 kW (around 80 hp) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor delivers 118 lb-ft of instant torque, making it surprisingly nippy off the line in city traffic. Nought to 60 mph takes a leisurely 12.2 seconds, with a top speed of 81 mph. Being rear-wheel drive, it’s got an insanely tight turning circle – you can practically U-turn on a dime! The ride is tuned for city bumps, and regenerative braking helps claw back some precious energy.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Smart EQ forfour packs a modest 16.7 kWh usable battery, translating to a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of about 70 miles – strictly for city duties. Efficiency is decent at 4.19 mi/kWh. For charging, it primarily relies on AC. The standard 7.2 kW on-board charger can juice it up from empty in around 2.3 hours. It uses a Type 2 (Mennekes) port, common in Europe; US users would need an adapter. Dedicated DC fast charging as known in the US (CCS Type 1) wasn't a standard feature for this little urbanite.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While not tested by the NHTSA due to its non-US market status, the 2022 Smart EQ forfour scored a respectable 4 stars in Euro NCAP tests. For a city car, it came with some decent safety kit. Active Brake Assist (forward collision warning with braking) was often standard, and Crosswind Assist helped keep it stable. You might find features like a reversing camera on some models. However, advanced driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control or comprehensive lane-keeping were generally not part of its more basic, city-focused package.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Since the Smart EQ forfour wasn't officially sold new in the US, any specific US warranty wouldn't apply. In Europe, it typically came with a 2-year vehicle warranty and an 8-year/62,000-mile (approx. 100,000 km) warranty for the battery, covering degradation. Powertrain components would fall under these. Maintenance on these EVs is generally minimal – fewer moving parts means less to go wrong. For a US import, warranty and support would be a significant consideration, relying on specialist care rather than official dealer networks.