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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  2008 smart passion coupe - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By CHudacko - August 31 - 1:20 pm

  What a fun car to drive & to own, people are always asking questions about it whenever we stop to fill up or to go shopping. And while driving there are folks waving and giving thumbs up and smiling at us. I cant think of any car that I have owned in the past that has drawn this much attention, its just so much fun and a ball to drive at that.

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  We own 2! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Rayline - August 30 - 8:16 am

  We ordered one, got an "orphan" 2 days after they came out in Jan 2008. Loved it so much that we kept the one that we ordered also. Drove them both from TX to CA and had no problems with hills, dust storms, rain or gas. Could drive to one pump, fit and fill both with one bill! Can travel easily at 80-85 mph and have had it to 93. Can park anywhere. Problems with speed or hills are the driver-not the car. Great gas mileage, and great safety features. Also love the heated seats. Have taken it to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and love it in traffic. Its a blast!

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  Cant beat the fun - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Rmichael - August 27 - 7:13 pm

  This is a great car, fun to drive, a pleasure to fill up (once and a while) at the pump, and a pleasure to own. Its very roomy inside, it fits me perfectly. It drives like a manual trans even in automatic and I love it.

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  Smart is for Smart people - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By John Salazar - July 10 - 12:33 pm

  I have driven this car for 2 years, local and cross country. The speed and mileage is second to none for the size. I recommend this fun and notable car for people who are anxious to enjoy and pleasurable and comfortable driving event every time they drive..

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  Great little car!!! - 2012 Smart fortwo
  By frugaldave1298 - July 9 - 8:17 pm

  Got this as a commuter car for my wifes 13 mile commute. Only 400 miles so far, but last 2 fill ups have netted 43mpg (mostly hwy) and 39 (50/50). The good thing about these mpg numbers coming from someone who has had both a 2001 Honda INsight and 2007 Civic Hybrid...is that you DONT have to try to get good mpg in this car. It just happens =) We have the Passion coupe with the wide wheels. Really though, this is a great 2nd car. You can drive it when you need to to save on gas and easier parking...and save your larger car for use only when needed. It makes perfect sense. Yeah, the transmission is a little funky, but youre used to it in no time, never feel underpowered, etc.

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  Words Cannot Describe How Much I hate this car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ihatemysmart - June 26 - 2:16 am

  Since I have owned this car, the battery died within the first year, random pieces of plastic have fallen off, it has had numerous transmission "software" problems that have left me stranded and ready to walk away from it, the engine blew at 23,000 miles, AND NOW it has yet ANOTHER transmission problem that the service department cant figure out -- I cant get it to shift out of Park when it is cold! THIS IS A PROBLEM! I tell everyone I see when I am at the dealership, I tell everyone that ever asks me about it. The guy in the parts department even agreed with me: "Yeah, I have never heard of a car having that many problems in that combination."

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  Dont buy a 2008 dealer buyback = LEMON - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Cindy - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Really disappointed with this car. Yes its fun to drive, great to put the top down, and yes its cute- however when I went to trade it in- it turns out that a dealer buy back = LEMON in the car world. Thus- hideous trade in value. Shame on you Annapolis Smart- Mercedes. Buy back = Lemon- run dont walk from the 2008- check the title history, if you see dealer buy back look elsewhere unless you plan on keeping it forever.

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  Great City Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ekaJ - June 6 - 5:36 pm

  This car is a great city car parking in place where other drivers wouldnt dream of parking. It is fun to drive and drives great in the city. It isnt as much fun on the highway. It may look small but you forget that you are in a car that small when you are sitting in it. Overall the car is great.

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  Another planet altogether - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smartgabester - June 3 - 3:03 am

  Very fun to drive, thrifty, excellent conversation item.The ride is a bit choppy and slow, and the transmission is fickle.I always look forward to driving it, and I consistently get 40mpg.It runs fine in 89 octane MIDGRADE, spiked with 5-10$ of 92 octane premium per tankful. Defective radio, changed under warranty within 5 min. by the dealer. The gas gauge has been a bit whimsical, but worked its own bugs out (healed itself). Catalytic converter hot air pump failed: another 5 min. stop at the dealer for a replacement. The drivers side mirror fuzzes a bit. The starter lock has a personality. Tinny speakers too.

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  Love it So Much, I named it Smarty Jones .... - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Beth - June 3 - 12:50 am

  Drive it and then decide for yourself. I did and once driven knew it was the car for me. It can be parked almost anywhere, gets about 40 mpg city/hwy. Fuel efficient and lots of fun to drive!