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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  2009 Finally - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Robert - May 18 - 11:30 pm

  Well after 18 months I finally received my Fortwo the day before Christmas. Although I have only been driving it a few days, and the weather here in Chicago has been, shall we say, rotten, I find myself smiling and waving to all my fellow motorists. On my trip to the local mall for post-holiday shopping I encountered my first triumph when it came to parking. I found a "space" that no other car would ever fit into.

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  Fairly smart car - 2013 Smart fortwo
  By partymarty - May 9 - 1:31 am

  I just purchased a Passion coupe for my wife, as she has been very interested in this car ever since it was introduced to the US in 2008. She was driving a 2008 New Beetle Convertible, but reliability issues were making this car a real hassle to maintain. As has been pointed out in countless reviews, the smartfor2 is equipped with a rather bizarre 5-speed automatic transmission which can also be shifted manually via steering wheel mounted paddles or the floor shifter. My wife tends to keep the car in the auto mode and it seems to constantly be shifting; even on relatively small inclines. When I drive the car, I usually use the manual mode. It actually gets better than advertised mileage.

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  Two smart car family - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Jim - May 8 - 6:50 pm

  Took delivery 2 weeks ago of a passion after 13 month wait. Picking up second smart, a Cabrio this week. Never had a car that garnered so much attention. So far gas mileage has been better than government ratings. Going anywhere takes 15 minutes longer because of the crowds and questions.

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  Fun To drive With Some Compromise - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By FoxMajik - April 16 - 9:40 am

  I was a Smart reservation holder from the day the reservation program opened. Ive been anticipating buying my fortwo since 2006. Im glad I followed through with the purchase because now I own a highly exclusive car with features normally only found in luxury cars. Those heated leather seats are great for days where you need a little warm comfort but dont want to kick on the heater. Negotiating lane changes and jumping in between cars when switching lanes is virtually effortless -- the engine packs plenty of power for a car that size at the cost of lower fuel economy and higher emissions than a car its size should have.

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  Hello Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Duchess10 - March 4 - 3:33 am

  I love driving my Lil Tic Tac. The hardest thing so far is getting out of parking lots. Everyone wants to talk about the car. Big SUVs seem determined to zip by, but I just wave at them as I pass them at gas stations. Ive had no problems on the freeways at 70 mph and still getting 40-42 mpg. All town driving is getting 33-35 mpg. It is fun to drive and while it doesnt ride like a Mercedes Benz, I didnt pay for a Mercedes Benz.

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  They are so good I purchased another one - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By JohnnyBones - February 26 - 11:30 am

  Let me be the first to sing praises of the BRABUS model. As a fairly fickle person when it comes to cars, I never had purchased the same make/model of car twice (let alone in a row). It all started with a very early delivery of my 2008 SMART Passion which I enjoyed for 20K miles plus. While debating to extend the warranty or trade to a different vehicle, I decided to take a BRABUS for a spin. The bigger rims, heated leather seats, the well sculpted body and the better suspension made it an easy decision and now my Black BRABUS hatch looks gorgeous in my driveway and it gets a lot of looks. For those who doubt the BRABUS magic need to test drive this car. Its a truly a SMART for the guys.

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  Convertible - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By av8rpvt - February 23 - 5:20 pm

  Awesome! Love the reactions, fell in love with the car in Europe, visited a dealer in Rome in 2006 and tried to get one to the USA. Dealer said coming in 2008. Ive been waiting breathlessly since 2006 to get this car. Worth the wait!

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  Cant be shy if you own a Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Terry - February 2 - 8:03 am

  I awaited my Smart car with great anticipation. Ordered it online in late April of 2007 and took ownership May 1 2008. The room inside is amazing. This summer I drove all over Boston, usually 40-60 miles a day. I had a minimum of 5 full conversations with strangers about this cute little car. When in stop in go traffic I realized that using the car in manual provided a much smoother ride. I now prefer to drive that way and I find I get 10 more miles per gallon. Having the option of shifting on the stick or on the steering wheel is a great choice. Beware of potholes, railroad tracks and road work going over these too fast- scares the wits out of you. Easily driven at 70 mph with no problem.

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  Small Package Delivers the Goods - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Mike - February 1 - 10:30 pm

  Bought this car for my wife to drive locally, but I find myself driving it most, mostly because its just FUN! For a great price, its loaded with features found on higher-end autos such as rain-sensing wipers, heated leather seats, I take it on the highway as often as I drive locally, and it is surprisingly capable. Keeps up with traffic, responsive, good stability. I cruise at 75 mph and dont feel the speed at all. Seats are extremely comfortable. Driving locally, it is a bit sluggish to get going from a standstill, but once its rolling it does OK. The shift changes in automatic mode are quite jerky. Manual mode allows for smoother shifting once you get the feel for it. Very good car.

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  Smart Car is the Best - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By OCDad - December 16 - 5:50 pm

  Best car ever for those who need something to drive back and forth to work with. Not good for family use.