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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  Mercedes Should be embarrassed! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By scott - September 6 - 1:43 am

  What a shame! Great concept - horrible car to drive. I have 5 drivers in my house and after the initial novelty period passed, no one wants to take this car. It drives so poorly. I wont drive it anymore as its jerky ride makes me wish I has an air sickness bag in the car. Gas mileage is disappointing, car is woefully underpowered and the silly transmission should cause me to get my money back under the lemon law, the dealer keeps saying that it is supposed to work the way it works. Shame on Mercedes. I feel bad that a company like them has to be affiliated with such a joke of an overpriced car. I cant wait to sell it to some hyped up fool who falls for this scam of a car!

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  Funky / Fun Gas-Sipper! - 2010 Smart fortwo
  By 1smartdriver - August 22 - 10:27 am

  Weve owned our 2008 Passion for a full year and really like it. We have a minivan for the times extra space is needed. Weve driven it on 2000 mile trips and are glad we added cruise control. 40 mpg + The only negatives we see- it gets moved moderately in high winds, nothing dangerous. Plus it has a somewhat harsh suspension. Other than that its a fun car to drive- great handling. We feel very secure knowing it has a world-class Mercedes safe design i.e. advanced electronic emergency handling/braking systems and a roll cage like a sports car. If youre considering a micro car PLEASE ignore the idiots who cant see beyond their "OMG its too small to be safe" mentality and test drive it!

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  Great car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By jessebkaye - August 12 - 2:41 am

  I just downsized from a huge full size sedan to the fortwo and I couldnt be happier. It may be a bit utilitarian in its features but its worth saving $500 a month in gas, is easy to find a space and helps keep life simple. Well worth the purchase, despite the funny looks people give. Im 62 and its surprisingly spacious.

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  Passion ForTwo - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Jonathon - August 1 - 9:33 am

  Im on day three and am absolutely loving driving my passion coupe. I like that its roomy, pretty comfortable and just a lot of fun. It turns head and sparks conversations all over the place and its been great to meet people that would simply go about their business if I was in my Impala (another wonderful car!)

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  I love it!!! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Rick3bears - July 25 - 10:40 am

  I drive 102 miles daily on my commute. Backroads and Interstate. My little bumblebee (yellow and black) takes it all in stride. I buzz along the interstate at 75+ with no problems and tootle down the backroads in fine style. I have talked to dozens of people about the car, given away a dozen brochures and extolled the virtues of Smart driving to anyone who would listen. Im a big guy 63" 250 and have plenty of room.

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  the best vehicle i have ever BOUGHT - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By GEORGE - July 12 - 3:13 am

  I am 6 ft 4 inches tall and 290 lbs and the room in the car is fabulous the handling is fantastic in ten days I have had about 30 people stop and ask to sit or see the inside they can not beleive it is so comfortable thank you George brown

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  Love my car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Jaq - July 11 - 4:03 pm

  The car is fun to drive, handles well in the corners and in traffic it is very nimble. Interior is comfortable and when you keep in mind what the car is designed for it meets all the criteria very well. Fuel economy is basically how well you control the right foot. Need to adjust to limited space.

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  81 yr. old Driver LOVES it!! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Chris - July 11 - 12:16 pm

  My 81 yr. old Mom & I bought this used with only 50 miles, so it was basically new. Original owner lived in the city & bought it for his 17 yr. old. After only a few weeks, she didnt feel safe driving it. We feel very safe. We live in a Rural area, & have driven on the Interstates. We LOVE it! As others have said, get use to having people wait outside in the parking lot to see whos driving it & asking questions. The first time driving, Mom got 2 thumbs up from guys working on the road. The automanual shifting is indeed there with the jerking motion, but after driving for awhile now, we hardly notice it anymore. Cant wait to put the top down. Love the heated seats.

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  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Murkey - June 20 - 3:26 pm

  This car is fun and versatile to drive. You can drive it in the automated (transmission) or the manual mode. It drives much better in the manual mode and you have more control over the acceleration level and shifting into gears. You can’t compare this car to a traditional sedan, which is what many reviewers try to do. This car is in a league by itself. There is plenty of room for 2 average size people and it makes getting around and parking in an urban area much easier than any other car.

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  Gouged by dealer of love car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Lexe Payne - June 4 - 12:10 am

  I find out after the fact that the dealer misrepresented the cost of accessories and pocketed a lot of extra money. The car is wonderful to drive and is extremely comfortable and easy to get in and out of. The quality of the car is extremely good considering the cost. It is the old VW bug mentality with a 20th century need for speed and room and comfort.