Smart Forfour (04-06) - Review

Review by Ben Wall on
Last Updated: 22 July 2009
The Forfour is the only model from Smart with more than two seats, making it a realistic choice as a small family car. The five-door hatch has a similarly youthful feel to the compact Fortwo helped by bold styling both inside and out. If you're after something that stands out then it's a good choice. There's decent space for those travelling in the back and it's cheap to run too with a range of economical engines. It was never a big seller and Smart dropped it after only two years on sale, so finding one can be a problem as it's not a common sight on the used market. The base-level models are quite sparse inside and the smaller engines can be hard work, but the cdi diesels offer better performance while there's also a high performance Brabus version.
3 out of 5

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2 out of 5

Buying used

If you're after a Forfour, then finding one could be a challenge. It was never a huge seller when new - hence why Smart dropped it after just two years on sale - and as a result it's a fairly rare sight on the second hand market. The 1.1-litre model is best avoided unless you're only driving in town - the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre are better and still very economical. The Purestyle was a special edition model, but was designed as a cheap, entry-level variant, so don't be fooled into thinking it's particularly 'special'. Pure and Pulse are the standard basic models while Passion is the top of the range and well kitted out. Smart dealers are worth a look via the company's approved used scheme.

  • Boot/Load Space Smart Forfour (04-06)
  • Interior Smart Forfour (04-06)

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See 15 used Smart Forfours for sale, starting at £2,745

1.5 out of 5

Selling

This is Smart's least recognised model, so you could struggle to sell to a buyer who is more familiar with cars like the Toyota Yaris or Ford Fiesta. But for those looking for something a little different it could be perfect. All the engines offer low running costs while its funky image should appeal to younger drivers. The Brabus is very quick, but you could struggle to find a buyer, as it's relatively unknown compared to more recognisable performance badges such as ST or VXR.