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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  My Red Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By smartcar2 - July 10 - 10:43 am

  Every place we go every one wants to know all about the Smart car. While i was at Disney World security was called to say that a golf car was on the road.When security came to me they said we were the talk of Disney World. My passion for two runs very good and i take Fl Turnpike, I 75 and have no complaints.

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  Never a better car - 2010 Smart fortwo
  By padi176715 - June 20 - 3:35 pm

  This car is nothing but amazing. Every aspect of this car is wondeful. All you have to do is accept the car for what it is. Do not compare to a $50k car. It is a very inexpensive, low cost to maintain, low cost to operate 2 seater. It is just wonderful and a great fun car to drive. I have over 30k miles and no problems.

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  Ex TDI Volkswagen owner - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By MarkyMarkVW - June 16 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this SmartCar on a whim. Ive ALWAYS driven Volkswagens..from GLI VR6s to TDIs to Vanagons. Id NEVER--read NEVER own a VW Again. the cars are ok but the repairs are pricey. I bought this SmartCar as a toy. Its turned into a great car. It will run 80 flat out, get 40mpg, park on the sidewalk and fits on my patio. I love it. Transmission is funky but gets the job done. I DRIVE BIG RIGS...I know size. This car is built. I feel safer in this car than my Freightliner. Im buying a new one next year. LOVE IT. LOVE IT.

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  I LOVE MY LIL TIC TAC - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By WITH A PASSION - June 11 - 7:00 pm

  Got my car in April, 2008. The craziness of being chased down by tow truck drivers and 20 people standing around my car in the grocery store parking lot has gone away. But still have the occasional "how do you like your little car?" at the gas pump. Happy to say, almost a year later and I am still in love with my eco- friendly, economical import. In town, I get 33-42mpg depending on how Im driving but even when gas was $4.00 a gallon, never spent a whole $20 to fill up. Big inside, very SMART outside.

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  so far, so good! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By dp - May 29 - 2:50 am

  Smart passion coupe delivered 1 week ago. so far, my impressions are extremely favorable. have driven @ 400 miles in 5 days. good handling at highway speeds (70-75 mph). decent handling on hills and in high winds.

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  Worth the wait! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By murphysullivan - May 25 - 12:43 pm

  We had to wait a very long year after placing our reservation for our smart - her name is Daphne. The only way you know youre driving a tiny car is when you get ready to park it. It has wonderful pep; great head-turning quotient - makes everybody smile; and is such fun to drive. We got caught in a heavy snow squall about a week ago and in no time we were driving in a couple of inches of snow (no snow tires) on curvy, hilly country roads. The car performed beautifully. We have ordered the aftermarket exhaust system and are considering replacing the red body panels with yellow ones. Guess we could sell the red ones on eBay.

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  love the little car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By wesley - May 24 - 8:10 am

  Its fun to drive and bring smiles where ever I go, can park it in many places nobody else can, Im averaging 40 mile to gallon but as high as 45 when I drive slower--Ive had no problem with it on x-way and driven it as fast as 85 hour without any problems passing trucks or being passed, Im big guy 6,2 250 and quite comfortable in it even wearing my cowboy hat most of the time to--if I had to do it all over Id still buy it-- it even saved me on my insurance, its not for everyone but it sure fit my needs make great runabout, Im very pleased with it over all

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  learn how to shift - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By chip brady - May 16 - 2:50 am

  I continue to read reviews with people complaining about the transmission! My wife and I each have a fortwo. Last month we drove it 2700 miles from seattle to Spearfish SD.It was terrific in the mountains.The paddle shifters work like a dream. We left our Cadillac at home and drove the smart car. If people will take the time to learn to shift the car it is the best transmission on the road today. We have been in the auto parts business for over 40 years and have had many different vehicles, but these are amazing. I have 15,000 miles on mine and it runs just like the day I bought it! The roominess inside continues to surprise people. More headroom than my cadillac.

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  Lover My Smart42 - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ron - April 24 - 7:36 am

  Love the car and the way it handles in city and highway driving. Its fun and economical. The transmission takes a couple of drives to get use to how it shifts and the feel of the pedal, but once you drive it a little, it responds just fine.

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  As an Owner from Florida. - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Louis G. Myers - March 30 - 7:53 pm

  Very good on the highway. I like the room inside, the steering, the visibilty, and the exterior and interior color. Here are some things that wood help you in the 09s. I had my grandson drive, he is 6ft 5. now thats OK but he wears a size 15 shoe. He had a hard time with his left foot, it was a little too tight on the left side where the foot goes.We do feel a bump or pot hole which is understandable.