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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USA-Get smart - 2009 Smart fortwo
By Tom M - October 12 - 11:00 pmIt is about time the USA received the smart. Here are some things you should know though-the ride is bouncy at times and firm, the fuel economy isnt as good as you think, in most places you cant park it nose-in into spaces,& the acceleration isnt good. But there are alot of positives- driving it is as fun as driving a gokart, it is spacious on the inside, it feels fine at 70mph on the freeway,& the you feel that the whole world is looking at you. Everywhere I go, I get asked questions like "Is it safe?", or "Is that streetlegal?" but you get used to the attention. It is an eyecatcher and welcomed in the city, in the country, and it feels right everywhere.
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My Smart Convertible - 2008 Smart fortwo
By enrique45 - September 28 - 4:00 pmI am a Truck Person but with the gas price nowadays I decided to try this little thing, it is the best decision I ever made it is a very nice looking car, reliable, sporty I like it very much,
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Great CITY car - 2009 Smart fortwo
By BRokicki - September 9 - 10:00 amI just bought a 4 month old 2009 with 1500 miles for a MB dealership that used it as a loaner car. After driving 5 hours back home I was impressed, this little guy keeps up with traffic just fine, cross winds at highway speeds (75 mph) are not fun, so slow down over bridges. I bought the car mainly for parking in NYC. I can fit it every where! My Smart doesnt have power steering, its fine for me but you do have to put a bit of muscle into it when parking in a small spot, once the car is moving, there is no difference. It has 2K miles and there are already some rattles, not good! Only buy this car if you live in a congested area, or you only want 1 passenger!
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40,000 miles and still no problems - 2008 Smart fortwo
By Rome Addict - July 24 - 12:43 amIll admit it. I have loved these cars since I first saw them in Italy in 1998. When they FINALLY came to the USA Id been on a waiting list for 18 months. My actual mileage experience with crappy "boutique" Phoenix gas is 45 - 48 mpg highway, 41 combined and 35 city. I dont know where Edmunds gets its 37 mpg? I beat the crap out of this car and it performs like a trooper. Drove it cross country, drive it 75 miles per day city/highway. I am personally gunning for 250,000 miles before I sell it. Would not recommend the sun roof for AZ. Downgraded comfort to 9 because AC cant keep up in AZ. Anyplace else would probably be fine.
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fatter tires - 2008 Smart fortwo
By william - July 21 - 11:23 pmlove the car, mostly,except the jerking transmission, and the ROUGH ride. I think it need fatter tires to soften the ride over rough areas, like rail road crossings, and pot holes, etc. A speed control would be nice, too. Now take a look at the sun visors, too small & try turning them to the left, hmm, room inside is great,style is great, & I would love it more if the ride were smoother. I like the attention. Get one.
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My Red Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
By smartcar2 - July 10 - 10:43 amEvery 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 pmThis 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 pmI 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 pmGot 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 amSmart 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.
