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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  Unbelievable - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By JudyK - December 25 - 10:33 pm

  I absolutely love my Smart Car. It is great on the highway; great in town and the fuel efficiency is unbelievable. Getting in and out is simple for me and for my passengers and I couldnt be more pleased with the overall performance. The dealership has been wonderful and have responded with a knowledgeable answer to EVERY question - even after the sale. Get one - you will absolutely LOVE it!

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  Smart - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Ativan - November 17 - 1:20 pm

  It is time to reduce Americas carbon footprint. This is the first import I have purchased. Unfortunately, the domestic companies do not get how to make small cars. The smart is fun to drive. Surprisingly peppy. Extremely easy to park. They have made use of all of the very limited space available. When inside, you feel like you are in a much larger car. The fit and finish is spetacular for a car that is only price in the teens. I am 62" and have plenty of room.

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  Fantastic! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By 1SMART - November 17 - 7:00 am

  I am very pleased with all aspects of this car. Its roomy, has great power and is a blast to drive. Very well put together, I love it and would recommend it.

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  Smart buy with low C02 - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Noel Anthony OReill - October 22 - 9:36 am

  Great little car about town, no big deal on long journeys either. Real head turner. Superb economy with a mix of urban and open road driving. Lots of space for all the shopping. So much fun and easy to park its an amazing little car. On the negative side - a little racy with the price

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  Good things come in small packages! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Mona - September 30 - 3:53 am

  Anaylze the situation: 3 cylinders, 5ft. x 8ft., 2 seats...O.K...now continue: This is the best thing since the telephone!!! The reviews that say no power, or no room, or whatever...GO buy a GAS burning, giant SUV and SHUT UP! This little cutie-pie is great for what you get! I have power steering, leather heated seats, remote keyless entry, alarm, etc. Some of the bigger/money cars dont come with that. Sold by Mercedes Benz, how civilized is that. I drive a Harley Road Glide, as well, and both are a blast! How dare those people to complain! The turning radius and parking ablity cannot be touched by GAS gusslers! Oh, and for the size, it is the safest by far!!

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  better than you think it would be - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By dwr - September 1 - 5:56 pm

  This car is amazing, my fuel cost is average $13.00 every two weeks and the maintenance is so minimal I keep thinking I am missing an oil change. Once a year service and oil change, quality construction and materials and a convertible with heated seats is a huge plus.

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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..