Smart Car MPG – What Kind of Gas Mileage Can You Expect?
Smart Car is a unique brand of city vehicle that is as small and affordable as possible while still being fuel efficient.
You will be hard pressed to find a more maneuverable small car, especially in the American market. Despite its considerable size, it is surprisingly spacious once inside.
How much fuel consumption can you really expect from a Smart Car? No Smart is sold with high fuel economy, but the answer depends on the engine option you choose and the environment in which you usually drive.
Smart Equipment
The Smart ForTwo was sold in the United States for 10 years, starting with the 2008 model year. Due to sluggish demand, Smart withdrew from the American market in 2018.
Although you can no longer purchase new Smart cars in the United States, Smart continues to support all vehicles sold and also has service centers for vehicle maintenance.
The Smart ForTwo offered in the United States is available with several powertrain options. Each of these values results in different fuel consumption figures.
Smart Fortwo Gasoline Engine
In the US, two engine options were offered: a 70 horsepower three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine and an 89 horsepower three-cylinder turbo engine.
These figures don’t seem like much, but they’re reasonable for a car that weighs just under a ton (about 2,000 pounds, depending on the model year). The EPA rated the turbo engine’s fuel economy at 34 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
Strangely, the EPA estimate for the naturally aspirated engine on the highway is slightly higher. The EPA rates the naturally aspirated engine at 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. As they say, your consumption may vary.
Smart Fortwo EV
The first Smart EV hit the market in 2011 as part of a test program in some major US cities. In 2018, only the electric version was available in the US market.
The electric motor produces 80 horsepower and a respectable 118 ft-lbs of torque, giving the Smart EV an MPGe rating of 124 in the city and 94 on the highway. The electric car has a range of 70-80 miles, but Smart claimed it could get up to 90 miles on a good day.
Fuel Efficiency Tips for Smart Cars
This site is a great resource for maximizing the fuel economy of your Smart Car. Some of these fuel economy tips also apply to other gasoline-powered vehicles.
1) Check your tire pressure
Tire pressure has a noticeable effect on fuel economy. Generally, lower pressure increases rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. For best overall results, follow the tire pressure recommendations listed on the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual. We recommend checking your tire pressure at least every time you fill up your gas tank.
2) Use Premium Fuel
Gasoline engine models can maximize fuel economy by using premium fuel. In fact, premium fuel can get up to 3 MPG more fuel compared to regular gasoline.
This is likely because the ECU can advance the ignition timing to produce more power and more efficient combustion on each power stroke. Note: Your vehicle must be specifically tuned to use premium fuel. If your owner’s manual does not specify premium fuel, you probably won’t benefit from it. Consult your user manual for more information.
3) Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead
One of the best ways to save fuel (or extend the range of your electric vehicle) is to accelerate carefully. Look far ahead on the road and be careful not to brake any more than necessary. If you’re stuck in stop-and-go traffic, keep a safe distance. Try to maintain a steady speed, even if it’s just a few miles per hour. Maintaining your speed is more fuel-efficient than accelerating. If you drive an electric vehicle, try to use regenerative braking only when it’s safe to do so.
4) Limit accessory use
Cranking up the stereo or turning up the air conditioner is fun, but did you know that these accessories can actually drain your energy? If you could forego these luxuries, you’d probably get slightly better gas mileage.
Are Smart cars safe? The Smart ForTwo received a good overall rating from the IIHS, earning a “Good” in most categories and an “Average” or better rating overall (for the 2008 model year).
But there’s no escaping the harsh laws of physics. A head-on collision with a semi-truck on the highway is unlikely to end well for a Smart driver.
Smart Car Alternatives
Tesla Model 3 MPG
With a range of 322 miles for the long-range version, the Tesla Model 3 is one of the electric cars that can go the furthest on a single charge. Switching to the Tesla Model S gives you a slightly longer range and a slightly larger vehicle, but it costs significantly more. The Tesla Model 3 has an MPGe rating of 148 in the city and 132 on the highway.
Toyota Corolla MPG
If you’re looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient car, the Toyota Corolla is not a bad choice. The 2.0L gasoline engine available in the XSE trim delivers 31 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, while the Hybrid trim delivers an impressive fuel economy of 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway.
Honda Civic MPG
The Honda Civic has a very refined powertrain with its 1.5 L turbocharged engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) on the upper trim levels. This power plant yields an impressive 32 city, 42 highway and is the one to buy from their lineup if you want to maximize both power and fuel economy in a standard gasoline engine.
Mazda Mazda3
If you’re looking for a driver’s car in a practical economy package, the Mazda3 is it. Although its fuel economy numbers are slightly lower than the competition at 27 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, Mazda built the car from the ground up to be comfortable to drive and fun to toss around corners.