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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  This Much Fun Should Be Illegal - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smart Enuf - May 31 - 9:23 pm

  Ive had many cars but never one this fun. Its a hoot to drive, the build quality is excellent, and the mileage is unmatched. Ive waited for this car since the mid-90s, and it was well worth the wait!

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  smart fortwo passion - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Brutus Buckeye - May 24 - 8:30 am

  Driving this car is a lot of fun and you get lots of inquisitive looks! There are only about 20 in the whole state so far so it is turning a lot of heads. For such a small car it has a decent ride and a bit of pep!

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  Ordering Number Two - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smart in Indy - May 22 - 9:03 pm

  Gas mileage better than estimated 50 plus on highway. Good timing to cut gas expenses. Great fun! Easy to drive! Lots of attention and questions! Everyone comments that there is much more room than they thought! Makes me smile every day I drive! 33 SMART cars racing around the Indy 500 track!

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  motor light up - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By roberto - May 17 - 6:13 pm

  The car is fun and economical but I have had the car for 38 days and I have to send five time to the dealer for problems about the motor light up all the time. It is economical and saves gas but you have to spend more time in the dealer. They have to put a record for that or the smart is not ready for U.S.A.

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  Fun runabout! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By risean - May 15 - 5:06 am

  I find that I get over 40 MPG I have 24,000 miles on the car now and love it. It parks anywhere and I havent had a lick of trouble with it. The car is amazingly stable on the highway and has plenty of space for two and a weekends worth of gear and supplies. I love it and would buy another one.

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  This is such a cool car~! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By D. Martin - May 13 - 10:10 am

  I am a college student who wanted an inexpensive car to get to and from school. This car is so fun to drive, especially with the top rolled down. It gets many stares and many questions. I love everything about it! Obviously this car isnt for everyone. Some people need trucks for work, but for many people like me, this two-seater is perfect. It holds everything I need for my classes and squeezes into tight places when Im on the hunt for parking. My family owns a Mini Cooper S, and although it leaves the Smart in the dust performance wise, the Smart, for me anyway, is much more entertaining to drive due to its unique character. Dont expect to be an Indy 500 racer in this car.

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  Great Little Car! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Dennis Mau - May 1 - 2:46 pm

  This is one of the best cars I have ever owned! I am getting 40 to 45 MPG going back and forth to work which is part city and part highway driving. On the highway I am getting 45 to 50 MPG. So the actual mileage if you drive it moderately in automatic mode is much better than the EPA estimates. The car does not feel as small as it is. Very comfortable in all types of weather. Heater and A/C work great. In fact it heats up and cools down much better than regular size cars because there isnt much space to heat and cool! Will easily run 90 MPH on the highway and very smooth and stable at that speed. Handles very good around corners also. Very agile in city traffic. Like driving a go-kart!

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  WORLDS FINEST GO CART WITH AC AND AIR BAGS - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By brabus4two - March 24 - 11:01 am

  I picked it up in Vegas in 2012 with only 6100mi. and went straight to the strip that evening with the top down and the Biggest Smile on my face! This Brabus stole the show from the worlds finest automobiles as everyone was looking and pointing! This car satisfies my desire for a car, a motorcycle, and a Go Cart...The transmission is "different" relax and let it do its job while you do yours Smiling...Want to go faster then use the paddle shifter! And those who say AC is weak need Freon, it was 113 and I had to turn it down and windows are not tinted! After a year I still havent hit 7,000mi yet...I love the car so much I cant bare to put miles on it...So I treat myself now and then

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  Honest Car - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Greg - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I own a red and black 09 Cabriolet with nearly 30,000 miles on the engine. Overall, I like the car very much. It is an honest car; honest in what it is designed to do and honest in its appeal to drivers who want sensible fun. Granted, it is not a fast car and I usually take my time to get up to highway speed. That being said, most of the lag is in the transmission so once in 5th gear the car easily dominates in traffic. The ride is stiff, not unlike a MINI Cooper and handling is crisp with perhaps a hint of its weight in the steering. The interior is brightly decorated but feels cheap for its price class. Even so, the car is very sturdy on the road, the important parts being solid as rocks.

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  WHEN ECONOMY MEETS FUN! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By jroadster - January 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing, it is fun to drive. I feel very safe when I am in this car, also the acceleration is better than you think. The quality for a car of this price is EXCELLENT, it feels rock solid and has go-kart-like steering. I can do 60mph and turn hard, feels like BMW designed the steering. This car is put together well for its price it does not feel cheap at all. It does not roll or tilt when driven hard, makes me feel good and excited to drive this baby!!!