Smart EQ fortwo vs. BMW i3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Smart EQ fortwo and BMW i3 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 Smart EQ fortwo and the BMW i3.
When comparing the Smart EQ fortwo's and the BMW i3's specifications and ratings, the Smart EQ fortwo has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Smart EQ fortwo's and the BMW i3's specifications and ratings, the Smart EQ fortwo is a better car than the BMW i3.
Pricing: A used 2019 Smart EQ fortwo ranges from $7,000 to $16,968 while a used 2019 BMW i3 is priced between $15,897 to $24,072.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Smart EQ fortwo loses 42.8 percent of its value and the BMW i3 loses 66.1 percent of its value. This means the Smart EQ fortwo retains 23.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Smart EQ fortwo’s base engine makes 80 horsepower, and the BMW i3 base engine makes 168 horsepower. Both the EQ fortwo and the i3 are rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with highway ranges of 58 and 153 miles respectively. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the EQ fortwo is 3 hours (240V), while the charge time for the i3 is 5 hours (240V).
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$29,790
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$23,900 - $33,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$44,450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$40,475
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$36,500 - $44,450
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,551
Price Range:
$7,000 - $16,968
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$15,629
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$13,551 - $18,498
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$20,103
Price Range:
$15,897 - $24,072
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$23,729
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$20,103 - $27,354
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
17
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
40,922
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Smart EQ fortwo Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
6.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Smart EQ fortwo
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
13
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
6.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
6.1 - 13
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
1.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
0.6 - 4.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
218.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
4.3 - 432.6
Smart EQ fortwo Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
13 out of / 26Ranking
25 out of / 26BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
15 out of / 15Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
18 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Smart EQ fortwo Trim Levels
Not yet available
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
80 hp
Torque:
118 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.034 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
MPGe:
124 / 94 / 108
Range (city/hwy):
58 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
17.6 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
3 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
MPGe:
124 / 102 / 113
Range (city/hwy):
153 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
33 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
5 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree 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
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree 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:
39.7 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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 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:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2363 lbs
Width:
74.5 inches
Height:
61.2 inches
Length:
106.1 inches
Wheelbase:
73.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2965 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
158.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
165/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
155/70R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Midnight Blue Metallic
Brown
Autumn Brown Metallic
Gray
Titania Grey Matte
Orange
Lava Orange Metallic
Red
Red
Silver
Cool Silver Metallic
White
Moon White Matte / White
Yellow
Black-to-Yellow Metallic
Beige
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Fluid Black w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Brown
Not available
Gray
Mineral Grey w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Orange
Not available
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Silver
Not available
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Yellow
Not available
Beige
Jucaro Beige Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Tera Dark Truffle
Gray
Deka Dark / Giga Brown w/ Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth / Mega Carum Spice Grey w/ Brown Cloth Highlight
