Loading comparison
Abarth 500e vs Smart EQ fortwo
Selected trimHatchbackChange trim164 mi · 42.2 kWh · £27,995
Selected trimStandard · 2017-2484 mi · 17.6 kWh · £23,850
At a glance
In this comparison, Abarth 500e stays competitive across the board, while the Smart EQ fortwo leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Smart EQ fortwo if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart EQ fortwo wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
Abarth
4.4
Smart
5.2
Motorway RangeSmart
Abarth
3.1
Smart
3.9
FamilySmart
Abarth
0.8
Smart
3.9
ChargingSmart
Abarth
3.3
Smart
9.5
Cost Per MileSmart
Abarth
4.2
Smart
8.7
City Driving
Abarth
9.6
Smart
9.8
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Abarth 500e
Hatchback
- 80 miles more WLTP range
- 85 kW faster rapid charging
- 54 kW more power
- 4.6s quicker 0-62 mph
- 2 more seats
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £27,995 | £23,850 (better) |
| Official range | 164 miles (better) | 84 miles |
| Boot space | 185 L | 260 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 35 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 11.6 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Abarth 500e
Smart EQ fortwo
Length
Abarth 500e3,673mm
Smart EQ fortwo2,695mm-978mm
Width
Abarth 500e1,683mm
Smart EQ fortwo1,663mm-20mm
Height
Abarth 500e1,518mm-37mm
Smart EQ fortwo1,555mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,673 mm | 2,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,683 mm | 1,663 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,900 mm | 1,893 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,518 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m | 7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 717 mm spare | 737 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 (better) | 2 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 1 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 185 L | 260 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 550 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Abarth 500e
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 3,673 mm, shorter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.4 m turning circle, tighter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our database.
Smart EQ fortwo
- At 2,695 mm, shorter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 6.95 m turning circle, tighter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,663 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Abarth 500e Hatchback |  Smart EQ fortwo Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.67m | 2.69m-978mm |
| Width | 1.68m | 1.66m-20mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.90m | 1.89m-7mm |
| Height | 1.52m | 1.55m+37mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.32m | 1.87m-449mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 100mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 185L | 260L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 550L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 (better) | 2 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m | 6.95m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,085kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh (better) | 17.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 164 mi (better) | 84 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 85kW (better) | 0kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,995 | £23,850 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £24,245 (-£3,750) | £23,850 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2017–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 164 miles (better) | 84 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 137 miles (better) | 70 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 35 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 85 kW (better) | 0 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 42.2 kWh (better) | 16.7 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 11.6 sec |
| Power | 114 kW (better) | 60 kW |
| Torque | 235 Nm (better) | 160 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Abarth 500e
Hatchback
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart EQ fortwo
Base
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Smart EQ fortwo Base
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant82%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users56%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 100,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Abarth 500e
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart EQ fortwo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Abarth 500e worth the extra £4,145 over the Smart EQ fortwo?
The Abarth 500e costs £4,145 more than the Smart EQ fortwo. For that premium it adds 80 miles more WLTP range, 85 kW faster peak rapid charging and 54 kW more power. The Smart EQ fortwo is not just cheaper - it also offers 75 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Smart EQ fortwo comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Abarth 500e or the Smart EQ fortwo?
The Smart EQ fortwo is £4,145 cheaper to buy. The Smart EQ fortwo is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 a year versus £176 for the Abarth 500e, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Smart EQ fortwo comes out roughly £4,305 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 137 miles for the Abarth 500e and 70 miles for the Smart EQ fortwo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Abarth 500e goes roughly 67 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Abarth 500e or the Smart EQ fortwo?
The two are within 20 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 737 mm of total clearance for the Smart EQ fortwo and about 717 mm of total clearance for the Abarth 500e. The Smart EQ fortwo also turns in a 2.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Abarth 500e comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo rank among the best city EVsWhere the Abarth 500e and Smart EQ fortwo rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .