The Smart Fortwo does 64.1 mpg combined (68.5 city, 60.6 highway), which works out to about $599 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 104.4 mpg while 0.9L 3-cyl does 35 — a difference of $729 a year. Against other 3-cyl cars it sits above the average of 34.1 mpg.
Every Smart Fortwo engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 118.6 / 91.3 | 2011–2018 | $368 | |
| 1L 3-cyl | 33.5 / 39.3 | 2008–2015 | $1,067 | |
| 0.9L 3-cyl | 33 / 38.5 | 2016–2017 | $1,097 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.050 |
| Fuel per year | $599 |
| Fuel over five years | $2,995 |
| Against other 3-cyl cars | −$527 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,571 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 68.5 mpg | $561 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 60.6 mpg | $634 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-7.9 mpg (-12%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Fortwo changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 124 / 94 | 1 | $356 | |
| 2017 | 78.5 / 66 | 2 | $537 | |
| 2016 | 77.5 / 66 | 2 | $541 | |
| 2015 | 78 / 65.5 | 2 | $537 | |
| 2014 | 78 / 65.5 | 2 | $537 | |
| 2013 | 78 / 65.5 | 2 | $537 | |
| 2012 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2011 | 63.5 / 59 | 2 | $624 | |
| 2010 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2009 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2008 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Smart Fortwo get?
64.1 mpg combined on average — 68.5 in the city and 60.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2018.
How much does a Smart Fortwo cost in fuel per year?
About $599 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $2,995 over five years, or 0.050 dollars a mile.
Which Fortwo engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 104.4 mpg, against 35 for the 0.9L 3-cyl — a difference of about $729 a year.
Is the Fortwo good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 3-cyl cars it sits above the average of 34.1 mpg, computed across 245 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.