Of the two engines, it’s the higher-powered 90hp one that you’ll need for the lowest Smart ForTwo fuel costs. You’re looking at claimed fuel economy of up to 49.6mpg on the combined cycle if you manage to replicate Smart’s figures. Lower-powered cars with the 71hp engine are rated at up to a claimed 48.7mpg.

It’s worth noting too that thanks to low-power engines and lots of safety kit, the ForTwo shouldn’t cost the earth to insure either, making it a great first car.

Servicing costs are low too, and Smart offers various plans to further increase transparency in this respect.

The best Smart ForTwo emissions come from the 71hp engine teamed with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, emitting 110g/km, although the range-topping 90hp version isn’t far behind at 114g/km of CO2. Note that these figures will increase by 1g/km if you opt for the Prime, Prime Premium or Prime Premium Plus trims, instead of the standard Urbanshadow. 

If an automatic Smart isn’t what your after then you will have to take a CO2 penalty, the five-speed manual versions emitting 4g/km more than their dual-clutch auto’ equivalents. 

If you fancy emitting no CO2 at all from your Smart, the ForTwo electric is powered solely by an electric motor, meaning 0g/km.

We’re not too worried about Smart ForTwo reliability. The car seems to be built fairly well and there aren’t any cabin rattles to annoy or concern you.

Since Smart is owned by Mercedes, it’s fair to assume some of the firm’s build quality transfers over to the ForTwo.

The engines are Renault items, and seem to have fared well in other cars so far with no reported problems. The French firm has done a lot in recent years to try and dispel unreliability stories, and so far it seems to be paying off.