Overview & Reviews

Usually, Italian exotic sports cars are best at getting other motorists' attention when driving down the road. But the diminutive "Smart car," as many people refer to it, turns just as many heads. But in this case, a Smart is about fuel economy and efficiency, not performance.

Smart began in 1993 as a joint venture between Daimler-Benz and Swiss watchmaker Swatch, creating a company known as Micro Compact Car AG headquartered in Biel, Switzerland. (It would later move to Germany and be known simply as Smart.) Its "city cars" would feature the build quality and engineering expertise of Mercedes-Benz, while Swatch would contribute its funky design philosophy. The resulting two-passenger Smart City-Coupe was designed for a European urban environment, with a specific emphasis placed on fuel economy and parking ease. The City-Coupe could theoretically be able to park perpendicular in a parallel-parking spot. (The wheelbase is the width of most other cars, after all.)

Because it was such a tiny car, Smart created the "tridion" safety cell (the silver or black portion of the body) to assure the City-Coupe could withstand impacts from exponentially bigger vehicles. Made from three layers of steel reinforced at strategic points, the cell was designed to absorb and redistribute crash energy away from the vehicle's occupants. Side impacts are shielded by steel door beams and reinforced axles.

Daimler-Benz bought Swatch out shortly after the City-Coupe's introduction just as the Smart started to generate hype around the world for its revolutionary take on personal transportation. Initial sales began in nine continental European countries in 1998, and the car proved popular with consumers.

This success led to an eventual expansion of the Smart car brand with the introduction of additional Smart models, including the Roadster and Roadster-Coupe in 2003 and the Forfour sedan in 2004. Reaction to these model lines was lukewarm at best, however, as consumers found them to be overpriced. This failure led to a dramatic downturn in Smart's fortunes, eventually putting it on DaimlerChrysler's chopping block before CEO Dieter Zetsche saved it with a new business model built exclusively around the City-Coupe, which had been renamed Fortwo.

More than 770,000 units and 36 countries later, the second-generation Fortwo debuted in 2006. With only a slight size increase, the general look of the iconic city car remained, but the interior and often-criticized automanual transmission received significant changes and safety was improved. The biggest news, however, was that Smart would be expanding into the United States, where rising gas prices had shifted the market toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. While there is no mainstream vehicle that embodies those two criteria better than the Fortwo, only time will tell if Americans who once laughed at Smart will embrace it the way Europeans and others around the world have.

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.