How Many Miles Per Gallon Does A Smart Car Get? | Real MPG

A gas Smart car usually gets 34–36 mpg combined, while electric Smart models are rated around 102–108 MPGe.

Smart car fuel economy depends on the model year, body style, transmission, and whether the car runs on gasoline or electricity. For most U.S. shoppers, the number that matters is the gas-powered Smart Fortwo. Those models usually sit in the mid-30s for combined mpg, with city ratings in the low-to-mid 30s and highway ratings near 38–39 mpg.

That sounds strong, but the full story is a little more layered. A Smart car is tiny, light, and easy to park, yet it doesn’t always beat larger hybrids. The tradeoff is simple: you get a short, nimble two-seat car, but not Prius-level fuel savings.

How Many Miles Per Gallon Does A Smart Car Get? By Model Type

The gasoline Smart Fortwo is the one most people mean when they ask about miles per gallon. In EPA listings, late gas models commonly land at 35 mpg combined with the automatic and 34 mpg combined with the manual. The older 2015 gas coupe and cabriolet can reach 36 mpg combined.

Electric Smart cars don’t use gallons of gasoline, so they’re rated in MPGe. That number lets shoppers compare electric energy use against gas cars. A 2017 Smart Fortwo electric drive coupe is rated at 108 MPGe combined, while the 2017 electric convertible is rated at 102 MPGe combined.

Here’s the clean way to read the numbers:

• Gas Smart Fortwo: about 34–36 mpg combined.
• Electric Smart Fortwo: about 102–108 MPGe combined.
• Best gas use case: city driving with short trips and easy parking.
• Best electric use case: local errands with home charging.

Why The MPG Number Changes

Two Smart cars can look almost the same and still return different fuel numbers. The transmission matters. The roof style matters. The test year matters too, since EPA methods and model updates can shift the rating.

Fuel type also changes the answer. Gas Smart cars need premium gasoline in many late Fortwo listings. Electric Smart cars skip gasoline and are judged by electricity use, battery range, and MPGe.

The EPA says fuel economy estimates come from vehicle testing done at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory and from automaker test data submitted to EPA. That matters because the label number is controlled data, not a random dealer claim. You can read the EPA’s note on cars used for fuel economy testing for the testing source behind those ratings.

Smart Car MPG Comparison Table

The table below pulls together the numbers shoppers ask about most. Use it to match the car you’re viewing with the rating that fits its model year and powertrain.

Smart Model	EPA Rating	Best Reading Of The Number
2017 Smart Fortwo Coupe, Gas Automatic	35 mpg combined, 33 city, 39 highway	Common late gas model rating; strong for city use, modest beside hybrids.
2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe, Gas Automatic	35 mpg combined, 33 city, 39 highway	Same main rating as the 2017 automatic gas coupe.
2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe, Gas Manual	34 mpg combined, 31 city, 39 highway	Manual gives the same highway figure but lower city mpg.
2015 Smart Fortwo Coupe, Gas Automatic	36 mpg combined, 34 city, 38 highway	Slightly better combined rating than the later turbo gas coupe.
2015 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet, Gas Automatic	36 mpg combined, 34 city, 38 highway	Open-top gas model with a strong combined rating.
2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Coupe	108 MPGe combined, 124 city, 94 highway	Best energy-use rating here, but range is limited.
2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Convertible	102 MPGe combined, 112 city, 91 highway	Lower than the electric coupe, still far above gas mpg by MPGe.
2016 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Coupe	107 MPGe combined, 122 city, 93 highway	Close to the 2017 electric coupe, with short-distance strength.

Gas Smart Car MPG In Daily Driving

Real driving can land above or below the EPA number. Short trips, cold starts, low tire pressure, and hard acceleration can pull mpg down. Smooth starts, steady speeds, and correct tire pressure can help the car stay near its rating.

The gas Smart Fortwo is happiest in tight streets. It’s easy to fit into small parking spots, and its light weight helps in stop-and-go traffic. On the highway, the small engine works harder, so the car may not feel as relaxed as a larger compact.

Premium gasoline also changes the cost math. A 35 mpg car that needs premium can cost more per mile than a regular-gas car with a lower mpg rating. So don’t judge the Smart Fortwo by mpg alone. Fuel price, trip length, insurance, maintenance, and tire wear all belong in the buying choice.

City Trips

In city use, the Smart car’s size is the real draw. The fuel rating is good, and the parking benefit can be better than the fuel savings. If your week is filled with short errands, narrow streets, and packed lots, the Fortwo makes sense.

Highway Trips

On longer highway runs, the rating stays decent, but comfort and range matter more. A late gas Fortwo automatic has a listed total range of about 304 miles in the 2017 EPA entry. That’s usable, but the car’s small cabin and short wheelbase can make longer drives feel busy.

Smart Car Fuel Economy And Running Costs

The EPA’s Smart listings are useful because they show more than mpg. They also list gallons used per 100 miles, yearly fuel cost estimates, tailpipe CO2, and total range. The FuelEconomy.gov Smart model listings are the cleanest place to compare gas and electric versions side by side.

Gallons per 100 miles can be clearer than mpg when comparing costs. A 35 mpg gas Smart uses about 2.9 gallons per 100 miles. That makes fuel spending easy to estimate: multiply your local premium fuel price by 2.9 for each 100 miles.

Driving Pattern	Likely MPG Result	What It Means For Buyers
Short city errands	Near city rating if driven gently	Good fit if parking and low fuel use both matter.
Mixed local driving	Near combined rating	Expect mid-30s mpg from most gas Fortwo models.
Highway commuting	Near 38–39 mpg in steady traffic	Fuel use is fine, but cabin comfort may decide the deal.
Cold weather trips	Lower than label rating	Short trips with heat running can cut efficiency.
Electric local driving	High MPGe, range limited	Works best with easy charging and short daily miles.

Is A Smart Car Good On Gas?

Yes, a gas Smart car is good on gas, but it isn’t the fuel-saving champ many people expect from its size. The best gas ratings sit around 36 mpg combined, and late gas coupes sit around 35 mpg combined. That’s solid, yet many compact hybrids beat it while offering more seats and cargo room.

The Smart Fortwo still has a clear place. It’s small, simple to park, and cheap to fuel when driven locally. If you want a two-seat city car, the fuel economy is a plus. If you want the lowest fuel cost per mile, a used hybrid or an electric car with more range may beat it.

How To Get Better Mileage From A Smart Car

Small cars react quickly to driving habits. A few plain changes can help your Smart Fortwo stay close to its rated mpg.

• Keep tires inflated to the door-jamb pressure label.
• Use the fuel grade listed for your exact model.
• Remove heavy cargo you don’t need.
• Accelerate smoothly instead of jumping from every light.
• Plan errands in one loop so the engine warms once.
• Fix dragging brakes, bad sensors, and old spark plugs before they waste fuel.

For electric Smart owners, the same idea applies in a different way. Gentle acceleration, moderate cabin heat, and steady speeds help preserve range. If your daily drive fits inside the rated range with room to spare, the electric Fortwo can be cheap to run.

The Verdict On Smart Car MPG

A gas Smart car gets about 34–36 mpg combined, with many late Fortwo coupes rated at 35 mpg combined. City ratings usually sit around 31–34 mpg, and highway ratings usually sit around 38–39 mpg. Electric Smart models are rated much higher in MPGe, often 102–108 MPGe combined, but their driving range is short compared with newer electric cars.

The right pick depends on your routine. For tight city parking and short daily driving, a Smart car can be a clever little fuel saver. For long drives, family use, or the lowest fuel cost across thousands of miles, compare it against small hybrids and newer EVs before buying.