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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  This Much Fun Should Be Illegal - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smart Enuf - May 31 - 9:23 pm

  Ive had many cars but never one this fun. Its a hoot to drive, the build quality is excellent, and the mileage is unmatched. Ive waited for this car since the mid-90s, and it was well worth the wait!

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  smart fortwo passion - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Brutus Buckeye - May 24 - 8:30 am

  Driving this car is a lot of fun and you get lots of inquisitive looks! There are only about 20 in the whole state so far so it is turning a lot of heads. For such a small car it has a decent ride and a bit of pep!

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  Ordering Number Two - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smart in Indy - May 22 - 9:03 pm

  Gas mileage better than estimated 50 plus on highway. Good timing to cut gas expenses. Great fun! Easy to drive! Lots of attention and questions! Everyone comments that there is much more room than they thought! Makes me smile every day I drive! 33 SMART cars racing around the Indy 500 track!

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  motor light up - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By roberto - May 17 - 6:13 pm

  The car is fun and economical but I have had the car for 38 days and I have to send five time to the dealer for problems about the motor light up all the time. It is economical and saves gas but you have to spend more time in the dealer. They have to put a record for that or the smart is not ready for U.S.A.

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  Fun runabout! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By risean - May 15 - 5:06 am

  I find that I get over 40 MPG I have 24,000 miles on the car now and love it. It parks anywhere and I havent had a lick of trouble with it. The car is amazingly stable on the highway and has plenty of space for two and a weekends worth of gear and supplies. I love it and would buy another one.

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  This is such a cool car~! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By D. Martin - May 13 - 10:10 am

  I am a college student who wanted an inexpensive car to get to and from school. This car is so fun to drive, especially with the top rolled down. It gets many stares and many questions. I love everything about it! Obviously this car isnt for everyone. Some people need trucks for work, but for many people like me, this two-seater is perfect. It holds everything I need for my classes and squeezes into tight places when Im on the hunt for parking. My family owns a Mini Cooper S, and although it leaves the Smart in the dust performance wise, the Smart, for me anyway, is much more entertaining to drive due to its unique character. Dont expect to be an Indy 500 racer in this car.

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  Great Little Car! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Dennis Mau - May 1 - 2:46 pm

  This is one of the best cars I have ever owned! I am getting 40 to 45 MPG going back and forth to work which is part city and part highway driving. On the highway I am getting 45 to 50 MPG. So the actual mileage if you drive it moderately in automatic mode is much better than the EPA estimates. The car does not feel as small as it is. Very comfortable in all types of weather. Heater and A/C work great. In fact it heats up and cools down much better than regular size cars because there isnt much space to heat and cool! Will easily run 90 MPH on the highway and very smooth and stable at that speed. Handles very good around corners also. Very agile in city traffic. Like driving a go-kart!

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  WORLDS FINEST GO CART WITH AC AND AIR BAGS - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By brabus4two - March 24 - 11:01 am

  I picked it up in Vegas in 2012 with only 6100mi. and went straight to the strip that evening with the top down and the Biggest Smile on my face! This Brabus stole the show from the worlds finest automobiles as everyone was looking and pointing! This car satisfies my desire for a car, a motorcycle, and a Go Cart...The transmission is "different" relax and let it do its job while you do yours Smiling...Want to go faster then use the paddle shifter! And those who say AC is weak need Freon, it was 113 and I had to turn it down and windows are not tinted! After a year I still havent hit 7,000mi yet...I love the car so much I cant bare to put miles on it...So I treat myself now and then

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  Honest Car - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Greg - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I own a red and black 09 Cabriolet with nearly 30,000 miles on the engine. Overall, I like the car very much. It is an honest car; honest in what it is designed to do and honest in its appeal to drivers who want sensible fun. Granted, it is not a fast car and I usually take my time to get up to highway speed. That being said, most of the lag is in the transmission so once in 5th gear the car easily dominates in traffic. The ride is stiff, not unlike a MINI Cooper and handling is crisp with perhaps a hint of its weight in the steering. The interior is brightly decorated but feels cheap for its price class. Even so, the car is very sturdy on the road, the important parts being solid as rocks.

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  WHEN ECONOMY MEETS FUN! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By jroadster - January 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing, it is fun to drive. I feel very safe when I am in this car, also the acceleration is better than you think. The quality for a car of this price is EXCELLENT, it feels rock solid and has go-kart-like steering. I can do 60mph and turn hard, feels like BMW designed the steering. This car is put together well for its price it does not feel cheap at all. It does not roll or tilt when driven hard, makes me feel good and excited to drive this baby!!!