carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $17,380–$22,890 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2017 Smart Forfour earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Performance at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.4/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.8/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.6/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $17,380–$22,890, 27 MPG, seating 4, the Smart Forfour sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.5/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2017 Smart Forfour, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and reliability and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Smart Forfour ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $17,380 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 37%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Across the Forfour model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $18,700 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.8/10 | $18,040 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $17,380 | |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $16,720 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $16,060 | Read review → |
We rate the 2017 Smart Forfour's reliability 6.4/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 11% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2017 Smart Forfour starts at $17,380 and ranges up to $22,890 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Smart models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
