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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  First review - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Slowpitcher - January 4 - 10:36 pm

  I brought a new 1959 Volkswagen back from Germany in 1959. This car reminds me of the 1959 Volkswagen. It performs better than you think it could and people wonder what it is. I cant believe how well it handles on the highway. I really like the way the transmission operates. I expected poor performance but if you know how to drive this car you will be happy with it. I had only 37 HP with the Volkswagen while this car has 70 or so. I was extremely pleased with the Smart dealership in Orlando.

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  Love my car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Brenda - December 17 - 5:50 am

  I love our smart car. It is so much fun to drive. Wish I could get my hubby one.Everyone loves it. So much fun to drive.

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  Finally out-grew the mini-van! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Kelly - November 30 - 2:00 am

  After owning a mini-van for 18 years, I finally got to go small! I had my eye on a Smart for over a year and decided to finally go for it. I was a bit nervous at first, thinking I might miss the size of a van. After driving it the Smart for 2 day I am no longer worried! I have so much fun driving my Smart! The more I drive the more I love it. I find any excuse just to go out and drive. Made my first trip to Costco and managed to fit everything. (I still have 2 17 yr olds at home) Love all the attention I get. Trying to convince my husband to get one for his commute to work.

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  Much more than I expected! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By jtb9265 - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a leftover 2009 convertible with $2,500 incentive and free options. Ive owned Mini Coopers, Miatas, and Honda CRXs, so Im no stranger to small cars. I am SO pleasantly surprised with my Smart car! I was expecting a good car, and what I got is a GREAT car! The Smart is unique, fun-to-drive, and an overall joy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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  Think Outside the Box - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Red Fred - November 1 - 12:13 pm

  Bought for our daughter who is 15 so that she can learn to drive and take it to college. I drive it now almost every day and will miss it when she gets her license. Solid, practical, great handling, efficient, peppy car to drive

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  What a great car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Baldman - October 29 - 3:33 am

  This is the most fun I have had with a new car. It is extremely roomy and feels bigger than it really is. Super fun driving in the city. You get many waves and looks and be ready to spend a lot of time talking about it when you go out.

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  This is a neat car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Dr Eric - October 21 - 7:13 pm

  We have been very impressed with this car, if there is a draw back we have not found it. Performing well in all conditions, Most driving is on the city streets of Daytona but it works well on highway as well. It will travel at 70 very nicely, seeing a truck that close behind you can be a bit unnerving at first!

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  What a great big little car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By JOHN - October 1 - 5:30 pm

  The Smart Fortwo, what a great (big) little car. I picked up my smart car and drove it from Michigan to Minnesota. What a delight! Putting some miles on the car on the first day was so much fun. This car handles well and is so spacious inside. I was really happy with my purchase.

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  So Far SO Good - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By jimdboat - August 26 - 2:33 am

  Weve had the car for about a month so its hard to tell you how it will hold up with NYC driving conditions but from what Ive experienced so far, it is an incredibly well designed vehicle for what it was intended for, local and medium ranges driving. Ive had it up to 80mph on the HWY and it handles very well. I love the paddle shifters and the dealer has taken great care of us so far. Glad we purchased it.

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  How Telling - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By BREUZR - August 10 - 7:40 am

  I had to laugh at the disparity between expert reviews and consumer reviews. Also at the comment "unsuitable for highway use." Ask the semi drivers on IH-20 how "unsuitable" it is. As they pass, they check their rear view mirror to see how their vortex has affected the smart. They have to be amazed by the stability. Drivers are also surprised that the smart can be issued a ticket for speeding. lol Is the smart easy to drive? Not at first, but with practice it becomes an extension of the driver, and is a pure joy. Jaws gape at the tight u-turns and how easy it is to park in lot spaces approached from the wrong direction. As the reviews show, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.