BMW i3 vs. Smart fortwo
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and Smart fortwo contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i3 and the Smart fortwo.
When comparing the BMW i3's and the Smart fortwo's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Smart fortwo has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the Smart fortwo's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 is a better car than the Smart fortwo.
Pricing: A used 2017 BMW i3 ranges from $8,999 to $17,317 while a used 2017 Smart fortwo is priced between $7,474 to $15,568.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the Smart fortwo base engine makes 89 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 176 miles. The fortwo is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 339 miles.This gives the BMW i3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Smart fortwo the advantage in maximum range. The i3 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the fortwo uses premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
48300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
46150
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
44100 - 48300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
14650
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13695
Price Range:
8999 - 17317
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
15497
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
13695 - 16762
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
21
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
61953
# Good or Great Deals:
9
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
11866
Price Range:
7474 - 15568
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
52389
# Good or Great Deals:
1
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Smart fortwo Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
1.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.0
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Smart fortwo
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.001
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.631082985877476
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
6.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.7 - 6.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.3261757352042445
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 37Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 37Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 27Ranking
17 out of / 27Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
20 out of / 37Ranking
27 out of / 37Ranking
27 out of / 27Ranking
37 out of / 37Smart fortwo Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW i3 Trim Levels
94 Ah
Smart fortwo Trim Levels
passion, prime, proxy, pure
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
89 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
100 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.045 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
0.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
2
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
36 / 33 / 35
Range (city/hwy):
183 / 176 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
0.9 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
31 / 39 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
270 / 339 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.2 inches
Cargo Space:
9.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.2 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
48 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3234 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
157.4 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
1984 lbs
Width:
74.5 inches
Height:
61.2 inches
Length:
106.1 inches
Wheelbase:
73.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
155/70R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 4.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
155/60R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Fluid Black w/ Highlight BMW i Blue
Blue
Protonic Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gray
Mineral Grey w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Silver
Ionic Silver Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Platinum Silver w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Brown
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Midnight Blue Metallic
Gray
Titania Grey Matte
Silver
Cool Silver Metallic
White
Moon White Matte / White
Brown
Hazel Brown Metallic
Orange
Lava Orange Metallic
Red
Red
Yellow
Black-to-Yellow Metallic
Interior Colors
Brown
Tera Dalbergia Brown
Gray
Deka Dark / Giga Cassia / Mega Carum Spice Grey
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
