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Smart Forfour

2005 Forfour Brabus: a turbocharged 174 hp surprise, capable of 221 km/h.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 33 sources

Also called

  • anti-smartUsed in a 2005 Brabus review because its turbocharged engine challenged Smart's slow, economical image.2

At a glance

0100200
60–174 hpPower
01020
6.9–15.9 s0–100 km/h
0125250
130–221 km/hTop speed
0150300
91–230 N·mTorque
07501,500
965–1,200 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.17101112

Engine
W454: 1.1–1.5 L gas I3/I4, 1.5 L diesel I3; W453: 0.9–1.0 L I3/EV1
Layout
W454: front-engine FWD; W453: rear-engine/motor RWD19
Gearbox
W454: 5-speed manual/6-speed AMT; W453 gas: 5-speed manual/6-speed twinamic DCT1
Built at
W454: NedCar, Born, Netherlands; W453: Revoz, Novo Mesto, Slovenia17
Units built
Second generation: 248,8561

The story

2004: Smart's first four-seater arrives20042005: Brabus: 174 hp and 221 km/h20052006: The Colt-based original bows out20062014: Returns after an eight-year break20142016: W453 Brabus: 40% shorter gearing20162018: Electric Drive trades its name for EQ20182019: Smart pulls the plug on gasoline20192021: Production ends for the EQ Forfour2021 Smart tridion4 concept: 2001Smart Forfour (W454): 2004–2006W454Smart Fourjoy concept: 2013Smart Forfour (W453): 2014–2021W453 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones13121321
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2001Smart tridion4 concept
2004–2006Smart Forfour (W454)
2013Smart Fourjoy concept
2014–2021Smart Forfour (W453)
2004Smart's first four-seater arrives
2005Brabus: 174 hp and 221 km/h
2006The Colt-based original bows out
2014Returns after an eight-year break
2016W453 Brabus: 40% shorter gearing
2018Electric Drive trades its name for EQ
2019Smart pulls the plug on gasoline
2021Production ends for the EQ Forfour
  1. 2004

    Smart's first four-seater arrives

    The original Forfour targets buyers seeking premium features in a small car, with stability control and four disc brakes standard at launch.3

  2. 2005

    Brabus: 174 hp and 221 km/h

    A turbocharged Mitsubishi engine takes the first-generation Brabus from 0–100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.1

  3. 2006

    The Colt-based original bows out

    Slow sales bring production of the original Forfour, built on Mitsubishi Colt hardware, to a halt.1

  4. 2014

    Returns after an eight-year break

    The Renault Twingo-based, rear-drive revival has standard Crosswind Assist. Euro NCAP: four stars; adult 78%, child 77%, pedestrian 65%, safety assist 56%.145

  5. 2016

    W453 Brabus: 40% shorter gearing

    The rear-engined Brabus uses a 0.9 L turbo triple making 107 hp; its six-speed dual-clutch ratios are 40% shorter than the standard Forfour's.16

  6. 2018

    Electric Drive trades its name for EQ

    The electric Forfour is renamed EQ; 2017–2019 models offer a 7 kW onboard charger, with a 22 kW upgrade.78

  7. 2019

    Smart pulls the plug on gasoline

    Gasoline production ends. For 2020, the updated EQ gets standard 22 kW charging, with 10–80% possible in as little as 40 minutes.19

  8. 2021

    Production ends for the EQ Forfour

    Electric Forfour production stops, ending the second generation.1

Every generation

  • Smart Forfour
    W4542004–2006
  • Smart Fourjoy concept
    Smart Fourjoy concept2013
  • Smart Forfour
    W4532014–2021
  • Smart #1
    Smart #1

Power over the years

From 67 hp to 174 hp in 1 year.

050100150200 2004200620082010201220142016 hp 2004 · 67 hp · W454 1.5 cdi entry model2004 · 74 hp · W454 1.12004 · 94 hp · W454 1.3 / 1.5 cdi2004 · 107 hp · W454 1.52004 · 120 hp · W454 edition sportstyle2005 · 63 hp · W454 Pure entry model2005 · 174 hp · W454 Brabus2014 · 70 hp · W453 1.02014 · 89 hp · W453 0.9 turbo2015 · 60 hp · W453 1.0 entry model2016 · 107 hp · W453 Brabus 174 hp W454 Brabus 67 hp W454 1.5 cdi entry model
1713
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200467W454 1.5 cdi entry model
200474W454 1.1
200494W454 1.3 / 1.5 cdi
2004107W454 1.5
2004120W454 edition sportstyle
200563W454 Pure entry model
2005174W454 Brabus
201470W453 1.0
201489W453 0.9 turbo
201560W453 1.0 entry model
2016107W453 Brabus

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    W454 Pure / Pulse / Passion / Purestyle / Coolstyle

    2004–2006

  • Special

    W453 Night Sky

  • W453 Brabus Sport

    Special

    W453 Brabus Sport

  • W453 Crosstown Edition

    Special

    W453 Crosstown Edition

    2017

  • W454 Brabus

    Performance

    W454 Brabus

    2005–2006

    174 hp

  • Limited

    W453 Edition 1

    2014

  • Limited

    W454 blackbasic Welcome Edition

    2004

    74 hp

  • Limited

    W454 edition sportstyle

    2004

    120 hp

  • Limited

    W454 HUGO Hugo Boss special edition

    2004

    5 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • W454: paired headlights, two hood vents and a contrasting Tridion frame.112
  • W454: rear light clusters contain three circular elements.112
  • W453: Fortwo-like styling with four side doors.120

Year by year

  1. 2004–2006

    Early W454 Pulse used steel wheels; a later equipment update brought new alloy designs to Pulse and Passion.1213

  2. 2017

    Electric Drive arrives with 'electric drive' lettering at the front and rear.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Smart Forfour
    Forfour
    Photo of a Smart Fortwo
    Smart Fortwo

    Smart Fortwo

    Second generation: the Forfour has four side doors and is 80 cm longer than the two-door Fortwo.1720

Against its rivals

  • SEAT Mii by Mango

    Forfour vs SEAT Mii by Mango

    Price as tested lower is better

    Forfour14,295 £
    SEAT Mii by Mango12,510 £
    10
  • Renault Twingo Dynamique SCe 70

    Forfour vs Renault Twingo Dynamique SCe 70

    On-the-road price lower is better

    Forfour12,315 £
    Renault Twingo Dynamique SCe 7010,995 £
    10
  • Renault Twingo GT

    Forfour vs Renault Twingo GT

    Base price lower is better

    Forfour16,940 £
    Renault Twingo GT13,755 £
    6

Prices

Value today $5.1K–$9.6K2829

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $5,130–$9,585 2004 · $14,276 · Swiss blackbasic; ~CHF1=$0.812005 · $31,295 · UK Brabus; ~GBP1=$1.822014 · $15,168 · Poland base; ~PLN1=$0.322015 · $18,842 · UK Prime base; ~GBP1=$1.532017 · $21,853 · UK Brabus base; ~GBP1=$1.292020 · $22,125 · UK EQ base, grant; ~GBP1=$1.28 2025 · $5,130 · 2015 Night Sky Prime, 64,490 mi (~USD), Ewbank's (hammer)2025 · $9,585 · 2016 Passion Premium auto, 1,608 mi (~USD), Ewbank's (hammer)2026 · $2,310 · 2004 Forfour 1.3, 108,834 km; hammer price, Alcopa Auction Nancy $9.6K Ewbank's (hammer), 2025
235691026282933
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2004Price when new$14,276Swiss blackbasic; ~CHF1=$0.81
2005Price when new$31,295UK Brabus; ~GBP1=$1.82
2014Price when new$15,168Poland base; ~PLN1=$0.32
2015Price when new$18,842UK Prime base; ~GBP1=$1.53
2017Price when new$21,853UK Brabus base; ~GBP1=$1.29
2020Price when new$22,125UK EQ base, grant; ~GBP1=$1.28
2025Auction sale$5,1302015 Night Sky Prime, 64,490 mi (~USD), Ewbank's (hammer)
2025Auction sale$9,5852016 Passion Premium auto, 1,608 mi (~USD), Ewbank's (hammer)
2026Auction sale$2,3102004 Forfour 1.3, 108,834 km; hammer price, Alcopa Auction Nancy
2026Value today$5,130–$9,585

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “912 Forfours in one prize draw”
    • “Pulic's 600–800 hp hill-climb special”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. Smart Forfour - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2005 smart forfour BRABUS review | Car Reviews | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  3. Der smart forfour kommt in die smart center: Marktstart des neuen Viersitzers von smart | Presseportal presseportal.ch
  4. Smart ForFour hatchback (2014-2019) - Reliability & safety | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  5. Na starcie: nowa generacja smarta od 46 600 zł media.mercedes-benz.pl
  6. Smart Brabus Forfour review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
  7. Smart forfour: Lohnt sich ein gebrauchter Smart forfour? - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  8. Smart EQ ForFour (2017-2019) range, battery and charging | DrivingElectric drivingelectric.com
  9. New Smart EQ ForFour 2020 review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  10. Smart ForFour vs Renault Twingo and SEAT Mii | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  11. La nouvelle génération : révolutionnaire, numérique, urbaine media.mercedes-benz.be
  12. Smart Forfour (W454) - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  13. modellhistorie forfour smart-club.de
  14. smart ForFour (2004-2006) — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  15. Smart ForFour hatchback (2014-2019) - Interior & comfort | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  16. Smart Forfour Crosstown Edition : rêve de mercatique - L'argus largus.fr
  17. Smart ForFour Edition 1 revealed | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  18. smart forfour edition sportstyle: Des performances accrues et un équipement enrichi pour encore plus de plaisir de conduire media.mercedes-benz.be
  19. smart forfour BRABUS SBR (2006) | El forfour más potente - km77.com km77.com
  20. SMART FORTWO, PASSION AND REASON - Auto&Design autodesignmagazine.com
  21. Frankfurt 2013: Smart Forfour sa vracia. Zatiaľ ako štúdia Fourjoy - Novinky - Auto - pravda.sk pravda.sk
  22. This Smart ForFour Is An Unlikely But Brilliant 600bhp+ Racer | Video | CarThrottle carthrottle.com
  23. EHC: STEFANOVSKI AND PULIC RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS | Federation Internationale de l'Automobile fia.com
  24. Esselunga supermarket and Mercedes give away 912 cars in record-breaking prize draw in Italy | Guinness World Records guinnessworldrecords.com
  25. IGCD.net: smart forfour in SpotRacers igcd.net
  26. Smart Forfour Brabus | evo evo.co.uk
  27. Alles past in de nieuwe smart forfour media.mercedes-benz.be
  28. LOT:3029 | 2015 Smart Forfour 1.0cc Petrol Night Sky Prime. Regist... ewbankauctions.co.uk
  29. LOT:4012 | 2016 Smart FORFOUR 900cc Passion Premium Petrol Automati... ewbankauctions.co.uk
  30. 2005 Smart Forfour Brabus No reserve artcurial.com
  31. Used Smart Forfour Buying Guide, Recalls and UK Numbers carpeep.co.uk
  32. 252 used Smart forfour for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk
  33. SMART - SMART FORFOUR 1.3 - ES - Mise en service…, adjugé 2 100 € adjuge.io
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • carenthusiast.com
  • presseportal.ch
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • media.mercedes-benz.pl
  • evo.co.uk
  • autobild.de
  • drivingelectric.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • media.mercedes-benz.be
  • it.wikipedia.org
  • smart-club.de
  • newcarnet.co.uk
  • largus.fr

Photo credits

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