Smart EQ forfour

Overview

The 2019 Smart EQ forfour was a cheeky all-electric city slicker, offering four-seat practicality in a tiny package. Perfect for nipping through congested European streets, it championed zero-emission urban mobility. While production ceased in 2019, it remains a compelling used buy for city dwellers, with prices around €8,190. Its compact dimensions and electric powertrain made it a unique proposition for those prioritizing maneuverability and eco-friendliness over long-distance cruising, making it a proper urban warrior built to conquer the concrete jungle with style.

What's New for 2019?

For 2019, the Smart EQ forfour largely carried over its package, solidifying its place under the new 'EQ' electric branding, which had replaced the "Electric Drive" moniker. This model year cemented its status as a pure electric offering for urbanites. Key features like the zippy powertrain and the crucial optional 22 kW on-board charger continued to be a major draw, capable of slashing AC charging times significantly. While not a year of dramatic overhaul, 2019 models fine-tuned the electric city car recipe, representing the final iteration before a more significant visual update came for 2020.

Design & Exterior

The 2019 Smart EQ forfour rocks a distinctive, funky two-tone design that screams city chic! Its dinky dimensions – just 3495 mm long, 1665 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1554 mm tall – make it an absolute parking champion. The signature Tridion safety cell is often highlighted in a contrasting colour, adding to its playful character. Standard models featured unique EQ design cues and specific wheel designs, setting it apart. It’s unmistakably a Smart, turning heads with its friendly face and compact, yet surprisingly characterful, four-door hatchback stance ideal for urban adventures.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the EQ forfour is surprisingly airy for its size, seating four. The cabin is funky and functional, with splashes of colour and decent materials for a city car. You get a useful 185 litres of boot space, expanding to a handy 975 litres with the rear seats folded – perfect for shopping sprees, though there's no frunk for extra bits. Tech-wise, a touchscreen infotainment system, often with smartphone integration like Android Auto or MirrorLink, was available, typically on higher trims. Climate control and electric windows add to the everyday convenience for city jaunts.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its size fool you; the EQ forfour is properly nippy around town! Its rear-mounted 60 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) delivers a punchy 160 Nm of torque instantly, making it surprisingly quick off the line. The 0-100 km/h dash takes a leisurely 12.7 seconds, but it feels much sprightlier in urban traffic thanks to that rear-wheel drive setup. Its incredibly tight turning circle makes U-turns a doddle, and the ride is reasonably comfortable for a small car. Regenerative braking helps claw back some energy, making it a fun city companion.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Smart EQ forfour is a dedicated city slicker with its 16.7 kWh usable battery, offering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 120 km. Efficiency is a respectable 7.19 km/kWh. Charging is via a Type 2 (Mennekes) port, conveniently located. Standard AC charging is at 4.6 kW, but the optional 22 kW on-board charger is a genuine game-changer, potentially refilling the battery from 10-80% in well under an hour! Crucially, there's no DC fast charging capability, reinforcing its urban mission and reliance on AC top-ups.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

For a small car, the 2019 Smart EQ forfour boasts good safety cred, notably achieving a 4-star rating from Euro NCAP. Its Tridion safety cell provides a strong core, a hallmark of Smart design. Standard safety kit included multiple airbags and stability control. While not overloaded with cutting-edge ADAS, features like crosswind assist were typically standard, providing stability in breezy conditions. Optional extras on some trims could include active brake assist (a form of forward collision warning with autonomous braking) and sometimes a basic lane keeping assist, adding an extra layer of protection.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Owners of a 2019 Smart EQ forfour generally benefited from Smart’s warranty package, which in Europe typically included a basic vehicle warranty (often 2 years/unlimited km) and a crucial electric drivetrain and battery warranty. The 16.7 kWh high-voltage battery was commonly covered for 8 years or 100,000 km against significant degradation, offering decent peace of mind. Electric vehicles like the EQ forfour usually mean lower maintenance costs compared to their petrol counterparts, with fewer moving parts. Scheduled servicing mainly involves checks, making for a relatively low-fuss ownership experience.