The Smart Fortwo does 35.8 mpg combined (33.4 city, 39.1 highway), which works out to about $1,073 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1L 3-cyl does 36 mpg while 0.9L 3-cyl does 35 — a difference of $30 a year. Against other 3-cyl cars it sits above the average of 32.3 mpg.
Every Smart Fortwo engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Smart Fortwo ranges from 36 down to 35 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $30 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
The Smart Fortwo burns a gallon every 35.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 335 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.089 |
| Fuel per year | $1,073 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,365 |
| Against other 3-cyl cars | −$116 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,160 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Smart Fortwo gives up 5.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 39.1 out there against 33.4 in town, a 17% drop worth $168 a year. 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 | 33.4 mpg | $1,150 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 39.1 mpg | $982 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (17%) | Typical for its type |
How the Fortwo changed over the years
The Fortwo peaked in 2015 at 36 mpg (34 city, 38 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2017 at 35 — 1 mpg apart, or $30 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2017 car does 35. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 33 / 38 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2016 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2015 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2014 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2013 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2012 | 34 / 38 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2011 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 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.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Smart Fortwo — 2 engines across 2008–2017. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,160. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Smart Fortwo get?
35.8 mpg combined on average — 33.4 in the city and 39.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2017.
How much does a Smart Fortwo cost in fuel per year?
About $1,073 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,365 over five years, or 0.089 dollars a mile.
Which Fortwo engine is the most economical?
The 1L 3-cyl at 36 mpg, against 35 for the 0.9L 3-cyl — a difference of about $30 a year.
Is the Fortwo good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 3-cyl cars it sits above the average of 32.3 mpg, computed across 151 ratings.
Are these real-world Fortwo figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Smart Fortwo is $2,160 against the $1,073 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 36 and 35 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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