Tank Ledger

smart fortwo coupe MPG by year — every rating on record

The smart fortwo coupe has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 10 model years, from 2008 to 2017. Across those years its best rated version returned 36 mpg (2008) and its thirstiest returned 34 mpg (2016). The EPA record holds 12 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

36best combined mpg (2008)
34worst combined mpg (2016)
35latest year best (2017)
12configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2008136 mpg36 mpg#2 of 46 (98th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2009136 mpg36 mpg#2 of 41 (98th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2010136 mpg36 mpg#2 of 35 (97th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2011136 mpg36 mpg#5 of 42 (90th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2012136 mpg36 mpg#3 of 44 (95th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2013136 mpg36 mpg#5 of 43 (90th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2014136 mpg36 mpg#5 of 58 (93th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2015136 mpg36 mpg#5 of 60 (93th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2016235 mpg34 mpg#4 of 54 (94th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2017235 mpg34 mpg#4 of 47 (93th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The smart fortwo coupe placed highest in 2008 at #2 of 46, and lowest in 2011 at #5 of 42. It spent 10 of its 10 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 12 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20170.9L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged313934338.28.8$2,3002578/10
20170.9L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) PremiumSIDI, turbocharged333935328.68.5$2,2002488/10
20160.9L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged313934338.28.8$2,3002558/10
20160.9L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) PremiumSIDI, turbocharged333935328.68.5$2,2002468/10
20151.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl343836319.48.3$2,1502448/10
20141.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl343836319.48.3$2,1502439/10
20131.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl343836319.48.3$2,1502449/10
20121.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl343836319.48.3$2,150246.86111111111111n/a
20111.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl333936319.48.3$2,150246.86111111111111n/a
20101.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl334136319.48.3$2,150246.86111111111111n/a
20091.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl334136319.48.3$2,150246.86111111111111n/a
20081.0L 3-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium1.0L 3-cyl334136319.48.3$2,150246.86111111111111n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2015 → 201636 → 35 mpg-1 mpg329 gal

What fortwo coupe fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2017 smart fortwo coupe burns 329 to 338 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$986$1,015$29
$3.50/gal$1,150$1,184$34
$4.00/gal$1,314$1,353$39

EPA’s own estimate for the 2017 model year is $2,200 to $2,300 a year in fuel, or $250 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 35 mpg the smart fortwo coupe is 17 mpg better the median, which is worth about $1,086 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other smart nameplates

Every smart model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.