Smart #2 Buying Guide: Why This Compact City EV Should Be Your Next Urban Car

Smart #2: The Compact City EV Most Urban Drivers Should Buy

The Smart #2 is a two-seat compact city EV designed as a dedicated urban commuter vehicle, combining a tiny footprint, around 300 km city car range, and rapid charging to meet the needs of drivers who prioritise easy parking and daily efficiency over high performance. If you live in a dense city and want one small electric car that makes everyday commuting painless, the Smart #2 is the clear recommendation. It returns to Smart’s roots as the electric successor to the famed Fortwo, keeping stubby proportions while updating the design and safety package. Built on a bespoke Electric Compact Architecture with a redeveloped tridion safety cell for improved crash protection, it focuses on simple, usable engineering rather than show-car gimmicks. With its two-seat layout and emphasis on “uncompromised urban capability”, this is the compact city EV to choose if you care more about tight‑street agility than big‑motor power.

Design, Size, and Everyday Usability in the City

If you care about slipping into spaces other cars avoid, the Smart #2’s tiny footprint is the main reason to buy it. At around 2792 mm long, it will reclaim its position as the shortest electric car on sale, undercutting the Fiat 500e by almost a metre. Anything smaller tends to be a quadricycle, so the #2 hits a sweet spot between true car status and scooter-sized convenience. It has been designed as a compact urban commuter with seating for two, so you get a city-focused layout instead of compromised rear seats you rarely use. The redeveloped tridion safety cell brings crash protection that’s rare in such a short car, and the turning circle of 6.95 m makes tight manoeuvres and narrow streets feel effortless. In short, this is the compact city EV that fits spaces and lifestyles other electric cars cannot.

Range, Charging and Daily Urban Commuter Use

For typical urban commuting, the Smart #2’s city car range and charging hardware are more than enough. Under the floor sits a 35.7 kWh LFP battery targeted to achieve about 300 km on the WLTP cycle, equivalent to around 186 miles. That means you can handle a week of short trips without constantly hunting for chargers. When you do plug in, DC fast charging from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes keeps stops brief. According to one early specification summary, the car’s TZ160XS00A motor delivers 60 kW (80 hp), giving brisk urban performance without chasing headline acceleration figures. Vehicle‑to‑load capability lets you draw power from the battery for external devices, adding useful flexibility for work, leisure, or emergencies. If your driving is mostly in town, this urban commuter vehicle has all the electric range and charging speed you need.

Launch Timing and Market Position as an Affordable Electric Car

Smart is clearly positioning the #2 as an accessible, compact city EV rather than a premium small electric SUV, and that’s exactly why it deserves your shortlist. The model has been revealed in murals across major cities ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, where full details will be confirmed. The brand calls its goal “uncompromised urban capability”, and the two‑seat configuration plus tiny footprint show that the focus is on budget‑friendly daily use, not expensive performance hardware. In UK dealerships, it will become the smallest electric car option on the market, reclaiming the role once held by the Fortwo. With Smart returning to its roots after a run of larger crossovers, the #2 is aimed at drivers who want an affordable electric car that keeps monthly running costs low and avoids the bulk and complexity of bigger EVs.

Buy if / Skip if

• Buy the Smart #2 if you want a compact city EV with the shortest mainstream electric car footprint for easy parking and tight streets.
• Skip the Smart #2 if you need more than two seats or regular long‑distance motorway capability from your next car.
• Buy the Smart #2 if your driving is mostly urban commuting and a WLTP range of around 300 km meets your daily needs.
• Skip the Smart #2 if you prioritise high performance outputs over a 60 kW motor tuned for city use.
• Buy the Smart #2 if you value fast DC charging from 10–80% in under 20 minutes and handy vehicle‑to‑load power for devices.
• Skip the Smart #2 if you want a larger small electric SUV–style body with more storage and rear passenger space.