BMW 535I vs Smart fortwo

The fortwo costs less to run, by the official figures: about $10 a year less in the US.

Smart fortwo

Side by side

Specs are for each car's newest version. The better figure is in green.

BMW 535ISmart fortwo

A typical year's fuel

United States
$1,689
$1,679 (better)
New Zealand
$2,186
$2,173 (better)
Australia
$1,811
$1,804 (better)
United Kingdom
£1,328
£1,320 (better)

Official figures

Uses
35 mpg
35 mpg (better)
Also
6.8 L/100km
6.7 L/100km (better)
On a full tank
–
259 miles

Space

Seats
–
2
Length
–
2,695 mm

Engine

Engine
–
1.0 L 3-cylinder petrol
Power
–
52 kW
Torque
–
91 Nm
Gearbox
–
5-speed manual
Drive
–
RWD

A typical year: New Zealand 11,000 km (Ministry of Transport's average for a light vehicle); Australia 11,100 km (ABS Survey of Motor Vehicle Use average); United Kingdom 11,265 km (DfT National Travel Survey average of about 7,000 miles); United States 21,726 km (FHWA average of about 13,500 miles). Real costs depend on how and where you drive. Work out a particular trip.

535I or fortwo?

Which is cheaper to run, the BMW 535I or the Smart fortwo?

The Smart fortwo: about $10 a year less in the US than the BMW 535I at today's average prices and a typical year's driving.

Which uses less fuel, the BMW 535I or the Smart fortwo?

The Smart fortwo, at 6.7 L/100km (42 mpg UK, 35 mpg US) to the BMW 535I's 6.8 L/100km (42 mpg UK, 35 mpg US), by their latest official figures.

Each on its own

Other comparisons

What will the drive cost?

Roadtrip works out the fuel or charging cost of any drive for your exact car, finds the cheapest stations on the way, and splits it between everyone in the car.

Rated 4.7 by drivers · 700,000 downloads

The Roadtrip app showing a drive into London that costs £4.81 each, with fuel prices along the way