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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  Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet. - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By T.E.Montecillo - July 14 - 12:23 am

  I received my new Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet on October 26,2008. It was a warm and sunny afternoon (for Michigan) On my drive home from the dealership I reached 82 MPH on the freeway and felt comfortable and safe. Once at home I felt like a celebrity as many people approached me to ask me about my new car. In fact wherever I go people stop me to ask about the car. I always tell them that the car handles well in every weather situation I have encountered so far, I have been averaging 35.9 MPG, And my commute to work is 19 miles. Also I work in downtown Detroit and finding parking can be difficult at times. However I have been able to park cheaply or even free on many occasions. SMART USA

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  Smart 2008 - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By James - April 20 - 3:23 pm

  The vehicle has been a joy to own. It has pep and most of the time you want to pass everyone on the road. The only thing done to the vehicle since Ive owned it is one oil change. It has a good cruise speed of 70 MPH.

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  my daily driver - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By smartdriver - April 15 - 10:33 am

  After one year of ownership, I find I still look forward to my driving time in the smart fortwo. The car has peppy performance, and is quite comfortable, even on the long road trips. I find that I can accomplish 99% of my driving and cargo tasks with this excellent car. Initially, I had several of the "smart car gremlins" occur, but the dealership has performed admirably with all warranty work. Here in the desert, the climate can be extreme: the smart fortwo handles the cold, searing heat, wind, torrential rain, uv extreme sunlight, snow and ice very well indeed. I am looking forward to an all- electric smart in my future.

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  Smart, well-engineered convertible - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Michael G-S - March 30 - 2:26 am

  Pros: Attention-getting, economical, affordable (for a convertible) Cons: Weak warranty (but I hope I wont need it -- this is a Mercedes!) I challenge you to try to find a convertible so elegantly designed or better engineered than this. And for $16,590. You can open the top from a distance with your key (nice to cool off the vehicle before you get to it). The side rails come off and store in a special compartment in the rear designed just for them. This vehicle is put together with true attention to detail. Some whine about the transmission, but Im used to driving a five-speek stick so this one doesnt bother me at all. In semi-auto mode just pretend it has a clutch and go!

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  My Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By My Smart - March 21 - 12:23 pm

  I have been waiting 11 months for this car and now that I have it and have driven in the highway for 125 miles, I know I made the right choice. Not only is it fun to drive, its cheap to drive. I did invest in a LOJACK since the vehicle only weighs 1800 lbs - you can actually pick it up with ease, of course not by yourself but with some help you can I am sure (lol). We like so much we have a second car on order.

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  Smart all around - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Bruno the Smart - March 4 - 1:36 pm

  I love my Smart Passion. I traded my BMW 5 series in for a Smart car friends and family all called me crazy but I turned 18 and had to start paying for things on my own. This is my only car and I do a lot of driving City, Highway and suburbs daily. I love my Smart and love driving it. I do wish it did a little better on gas but compared to the BMW it rocks. Having a two seater really is not a big deal and there is plenty of storage space. The car handles great and parking is never a problem. I love all the looks and comments I get and I love the design of the car. Overall I would recommend it to any one!

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  The Smart Smile - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Larry - March 2 - 11:26 pm

  I love my new Smart fortwo. It brings smiles everywhere I go. I love the comfort and horsepower.

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  Love it, Attention getter, Best so far - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Mel - February 26 - 12:23 pm

  If someone wanted to trade me, title for title, Mercedes, corvette, etc... and I could not sell there trade, would not trade. Love it, fun to drive, S A F E. Read the info, published, go to a smart car dealer and look at the frame.

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  Run About - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Mark C - February 25 - 12:34 am

  Great Car for the West Coast; Never a parking problem. Always able to fit in somewhere. Easy in & out. Non-electric maint., I bought it five years ago from the original owner. Love this car. It is a convert. Brabus 2009. UPDATE; 7/3/17, Yes I still have the car. It is not my daily driver. I have a 3/4 ton truck for my daily work. I still enjoy this little guy after all of these years. If I decide to sell it? Its not b/c I dont like it. I might just want to try something else. Going out to dinner downtown. We take the Smart and leave the BMW at home. Why? So easy to PARK and get in & out of. When you are inside, it feels much bigger than it looks like from the outside.Update; 1/7/18 Yes, I still have and am Happy with it. Sorry I dont see more of them around. Much better than an electric or hybrid car.

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  GOOD THING COME IN SMALL PACKAGES - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By SMARTALEC - February 24 - 8:40 pm

  Wanted one as soon as they hit the US market. This car is the bomb. Shifting a little strange at first, but after a couple says you get in "sync" the car. Nimble, quick as it needs to be, great at highway speeds.