Overview & Reviews

The concept of the Smart car emerged in the early 1990s when the Swiss company Swatch, best known for its kitschy watches, sought to build an affordable city car that would fit into the smallest of parking spots and go easy on fuel. Not too long after, the company paired up with Mercedes-Benz to make the idea a reality. The car was later christened "Smart," an acronym for Swatch Mercedes Art.

The Smart Fortwo, originally dubbed the City Coupe, debuted at the 1997 Frankfurt Auto Show. Although the first generation never made it to the U.S., the tiny two-seater, which persevered through its parent company's financial troubles and an eventual buyout by Daimler-Benz, was later replaced by the slightly larger second-generation Fortwo. Not only is the reworked Fortwo newly available in the States, but an ambitious plan to launch several stand-alone dealerships in the U.S. makes it clear that the Smart brand is serious about competing in the American subcompact market. While its diminutive size and power entail certain on-road limitations, the Fortwo is a worthy candidate for urban commuters who want to maneuver through city congestion and save on gas without giving up the creature comforts of a car.

Current Smart Fortwo

At 8 feet, 10 inches long, the Smart Fortwo is a two-seat subcompact city car and is the smallest production car currently sold in North America. It comes in two body styles: the hatchback Coupe and the convertible Cabrio. The standard trim levels are Pure and the more well-equipped Passion. The Fortwo is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 71 horsepower and 68 pound-feet of torque and sends its power to the rear wheels through an automated sequential-shift manual transmission.

There's also a limited-edition model from German tuner Brabus that upgrades the Smart with sportier wheels, a stiffer suspension, aerodynamic and cosmetic body cladding, a higher-performing exhaust and heated leather seats.

Because of its Lilliputian proportions (it's more than 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper), safety is at the core of the Fortwo design. The engine is in the rear of the car to increase front crumple-zone space, and the car is built around a cage of high-strength steel known as the Tridion safety cell, which helps the Fortwo post passable if unimpressive frontal crash-test scores. Side impact protection is enhanced by the closer placement of axles to the passenger compartment, and the Smart's scores in side-impact crash testing are top-notch. And although the car might look something like a golf cart, standard safety features like side airbags, antilock brakes, stability control and traction control combine to put that comparison to rest.

Fuel economy is another welcome asset of the Smart Fortwo; its EPA rating is 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. With its 8.7-gallon gas tank, that makes for a lot of driving between fill-ups, though it's worth noting that premium gasoline is recommended.

In our initial reviews, we found the Smart Fortwo surprisingly comfortable. The interior is roomier than it might appear from the outside -- especially in the passenger seat, which is set back 6 inches for increased legroom. (It also folds flat for extra cargo space.) On the road, however, the Smart's manner is less than graceful over rough pavement. Moreover, while the car is admirably stable at high speeds for such a small vehicle, its slablike side panels and upright posture conspire to make it unsettlingly vulnerable to crosswinds.

We aren't fans of the automated manual transmission either. Gearchanges are sluggish and somewhat jerky. The Fortwo is also one of the slowest vehicles for sale today (zero to 60 mph takes 14.1 seconds) and it has a particularly hard time keeping up with traffic on the highway. Still, the Smart Fortwo is great for tooling around city streets. Buyers who aren't looking to do much more than that will probably be quite satisfied with the Smart car.

Used Smart Fortwo Models

The current (second) generation Fortwo debuted for 2008 and was the first Smart model to go on sale in the U.S. There have been no major changes since, though the Brabus trim level wasn't available for its first year.

Designed primarily for urban cities in Europe, the first-generation Smart Fortwo was originally known as the City Coupe and not sold in North America. It debuted for the 1998 model year and it came with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that was either gasoline-fueled (initially 599cc of displacement and later 698cc) or diesel-fueled (799cc). The first-generation Smart Fortwo was discontinued after the 2007 model year.

User Reviews:

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  The Corvette of economy cars - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By robert stout - January 19 - 6:46 am

  Old people have discovered this car, so it is not sold to youngsters only...People ask me if it gets 60 miles per gallon, and I respond it gets the best gas mileage of any non-hybrid sold in America...You can do a u-turn on a narrow 2 lane street,but dont try going fast over speed bumps...The Passion is loaded with standard equipment, including panorama roof,paddle shifters,auto air,electric windows/locks,and ABS/ stability control... The Smart is Amazingly roomy for two...It has enough space in back for a weeks groceries...It has style,which is lacking in other economy cars... It is a Mercedes on a beer budget...Resale value will likely challenge Corvette and most Japanese imports...

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  Its ok - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Rater - January 6 - 7:46 am

  It drives like a jeep (hard and stiff) and is slow to accelerate. The brake pedal is uncomfortable. I use it to go to work where parking is an issue. This is the only reason I bought the car. In this respect its great. I now compete with motorcycles. But in all other respects it is disappointing. Transmission is slow to shift, a/c not cold enough. Would I buy it again? Yes. Because of the parking issue I have no choice. If I didnt have to go to work and park I would not buy this car.

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  Just bought a new smart - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By smartitis - December 13 - 6:46 pm

  Just picked up my new smart car (passion) yesterday and drove it 300 miles home. How fun! It is the first smart in our little hometown. It handled well and I got 40 mpg. So far so good. It will be a car that I will use for getting back and forth to work. I own a 430S Mercedes, but the smart will be my "run around town car"

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  SMART and SAFE - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Jack - December 13 - 1:10 am

  Theres a conspiracy by some to paint the SMART as unsafe. Ive even seen a photo of a small car squashed between two semis that was falsely identified to be a SMART car. SMART cars have only 3 lug-nuts. The squashed car had FIVE lug nuts! Moron! My only complaint about my 2008 Passion SMART is the whack-a-doodle electronic interlocking systems. SMART designers please take note: Every component that makes an interlock circuit longer also makes it more prone to failure or malfunction. Just today, I couldnt get the rear window to unlock with the remote, which gave a double-beep when I pressed the appropriate button and then re-locked. Back window/tailgate had to be unlocked manually.

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  If it fits, wear it instead of a Fit. - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By scottl - November 27 - 3:00 pm

  This is definitely a unique car. It is sure to trigger love and hate among the owners. The good: great interior for such a small car. Great visibility. Mileage is better than epa if you drive it properly. Features galore, like clear roof, paddle shifters, fold flat passenger seat, storage in tailgate, heated cloth seats, heated mirrors, climate control. The bad: suspension needs more travel and needs to be stiffer. Too much roll. Too many thuds when bumps are hit. Automatic/manual trans is both the best and worst feature. I would prefer a straight manual. No spare tire. Premium radio is only so-so.

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  smart i am - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By smart i am - November 7 - 10:56 pm

  This car has proven to be much more than I expected. I have a fully loaded model and everything works great. The trick to driving is letting off of the gas so the car can change gears. Let off and it will shift automatically and very smoothly.

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  First 2000 miles - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Marty - November 7 - 5:06 pm

  I was averaging 38-40 MPG around town, the last 2 fill-ups were 42.9 & 45.6 MPG. Fun to drive, draws lots of questions. Transmission is electronically shifted 5 speed manual (no clutch pedal). It takes a few days to learn when to let it shift automatically or when to use the paddles to shift it yourself. I am totally satisfied and have recommended the car to all that ask.

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  First Impressions - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Dave S - October 27 - 2:43 pm

  After waiting almost 12 months (current wait 18 mos.), we picked up our smart ForTwo Passion coupe a couple days ago. With gas prices of $3.55 per gallon here it couldnt have come in at a better time. So far were very happy with it. Its everything we expected and more. First impressions: - Surprisingly roomy. Very comfortable. Great seats. Id drive it on a 500 mile trip. - Somewhat choppy ride due to the short wheelbase, but not too choppy. - Stable and sure-footed, even at 75 alongside 18 wheelers, but you can tell that it weights 1800 lbs. - Transmission and shifting is "different" and requires some getting used to and some new skills but its fun

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  love to be SMART - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By SMART JL - October 23 - 12:13 pm

  Ordered the car in early April 07. Was worth the wait! My car cost about 15,050 with shipping. Ive only driven 500 miles, MPG = 38-41. Parked at an NHRA race in Madison Il. and must have had 100 people ask questions and give the thumbs up-even several Illinois State troopers. The car is what it is and I love it! The shifting is hard to get use to but with a little practice it is a blast. Steering is also tricky because of the short wheelbase

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  Smarts are just smart - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By smartgriz - October 6 - 12:30 pm

  I received my Smart Cabriolet after a 12 mo. wait. It is worth every minute of the wait. Fun, fuel efficient and cute as a lady bug. The convertible feature is cool in that the top can be taken down or put up while driving at any speed. The stereo is great for such a small car. I put myself and a buddy, (both 200# plus) and accelerated 0 to 60 in two blocks, not bad for a care that gets 40 mpg in town and 50 hwy. If you have a chance to drive one, I recommend it and if you can buy one, do it. They are getting harder and harder to find.