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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  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..

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  Great little car!!! - 2012 Smart fortwo
  By frugaldave1298 - July 9 - 8:17 pm

  Got this as a commuter car for my wifes 13 mile commute. Only 400 miles so far, but last 2 fill ups have netted 43mpg (mostly hwy) and 39 (50/50). The good thing about these mpg numbers coming from someone who has had both a 2001 Honda INsight and 2007 Civic Hybrid...is that you DONT have to try to get good mpg in this car. It just happens =) We have the Passion coupe with the wide wheels. Really though, this is a great 2nd car. You can drive it when you need to to save on gas and easier parking...and save your larger car for use only when needed. It makes perfect sense. Yeah, the transmission is a little funky, but youre used to it in no time, never feel underpowered, etc.

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  Words Cannot Describe How Much I hate this car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ihatemysmart - June 26 - 2:16 am

  Since I have owned this car, the battery died within the first year, random pieces of plastic have fallen off, it has had numerous transmission "software" problems that have left me stranded and ready to walk away from it, the engine blew at 23,000 miles, AND NOW it has yet ANOTHER transmission problem that the service department cant figure out -- I cant get it to shift out of Park when it is cold! THIS IS A PROBLEM! I tell everyone I see when I am at the dealership, I tell everyone that ever asks me about it. The guy in the parts department even agreed with me: "Yeah, I have never heard of a car having that many problems in that combination."

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  Dont buy a 2008 dealer buyback = LEMON - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Cindy - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Really disappointed with this car. Yes its fun to drive, great to put the top down, and yes its cute- however when I went to trade it in- it turns out that a dealer buy back = LEMON in the car world. Thus- hideous trade in value. Shame on you Annapolis Smart- Mercedes. Buy back = Lemon- run dont walk from the 2008- check the title history, if you see dealer buy back look elsewhere unless you plan on keeping it forever.

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  Great City Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ekaJ - June 6 - 5:36 pm

  This car is a great city car parking in place where other drivers wouldnt dream of parking. It is fun to drive and drives great in the city. It isnt as much fun on the highway. It may look small but you forget that you are in a car that small when you are sitting in it. Overall the car is great.

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  Another planet altogether - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smartgabester - June 3 - 3:03 am

  Very fun to drive, thrifty, excellent conversation item.The ride is a bit choppy and slow, and the transmission is fickle.I always look forward to driving it, and I consistently get 40mpg.It runs fine in 89 octane MIDGRADE, spiked with 5-10$ of 92 octane premium per tankful. Defective radio, changed under warranty within 5 min. by the dealer. The gas gauge has been a bit whimsical, but worked its own bugs out (healed itself). Catalytic converter hot air pump failed: another 5 min. stop at the dealer for a replacement. The drivers side mirror fuzzes a bit. The starter lock has a personality. Tinny speakers too.

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  Love it So Much, I named it Smarty Jones .... - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Beth - June 3 - 12:50 am

  Drive it and then decide for yourself. I did and once driven knew it was the car for me. It can be parked almost anywhere, gets about 40 mpg city/hwy. Fuel efficient and lots of fun to drive!