4 Star Reviews for Smart

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.53/5 Average
264 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 11 through 20 of 264.00
  • Weekend transportation - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    It has been almost 2 weeks since I picked up the beast. Got about 42 MPG on the 1st tank, while showing a drop for the 2nd tank. Semi-auto tranny is somewhat abrupt. Engine is a bit noisy. Great highway stability at 50-65 MPH - did not feel any drift. Lots of questions about the make (manufacturer) from curiosity seekers. Wish I had handfuls of brochures to use as promotional tools.

  • new type of car - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Midsized car seating is comfortable , visibility to front and sides is good to the rear it is poor . the interior layout is good as are the basic cd and A/C . Steering and handling are responsive and with a small turning circle as you would expect. Corners well . Winds of 50 mph will nudge the car but you still have control. Engine is minimally audible from inside even at high rpm . The transmission I would compare to a motorcycle being shifted without the clutch but in an excellently smooth manner . so that eventually you basically shift with the accelerator . actually fun and smooth no complaints. Power delivery depends on the drivers ability to master shifting. Can be driven on highways .

  • More smiles than even miles to the gallon - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    It just makes you laugh at yourself. What a pleasant feeling. I live in a town where my immediate neighbors drive Bentleys, Mercedes, Porsches and Ford GTs (and one old Ferrari). BMWs and Audis are banned because they stink of the middle class, (but I did see a democrat once driving a Saab before they ran her out of town). And yet I must get more waves, thumbs-up and smiles from the Cougars (35-40- something divorcees) than when I drove my v12 Benz convertible. Too funny. This thing drives like a go cart, feels remarkably stable, sips fuel, makes me feel like I am at least trying to save our planet (all the body panels are recycled milk bottles).

  • SmartCar for Two - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Ive had my SC for only seven months and I like it more and more. It did have an initial "breaking in" time during during which I got accustomed to its shifting and handling and it "adapted" (according to the dealer) to my driving style. It did take awhile to get used to the shifting. While it isnt a "luxury" car it has many features that I consider luxurious and it has safety features which are extra on many cars, like a built-in roll bar, electronic stabilization, disc brakes, etc. While it is small (which I =love=) it sits high so that visibility is excellent.

  • impossible to get repaired - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Our smart car got hit in an accident. The authorized repair center did not have any of the parts in stock. We waited 6 weeks for parts to come in from Germany. I have never gotten such bad service or waited so long for repairs on a car. I would never buy another Smart Car. They are not yet prepared to enter the American market

  • Debis Little Blue - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    I have a big MB GL 550 that uses a lot of fuel. I bought this for fuel savings and how awesome it is to drive. Yes it is small on the outside but my sons friend Jose is 61 and stretched out his legs in the passenger seat. Be prepared for a lot of stares and people stopping you to ask questions. How fun!! Debi

  • I hate to do this - 2009 Smart fortwo
    By -

    This has become a love hate relationship. My wife and I are car lovers, we have a LARGER number ranging from the smart to several high performance sport cars. We live in a semi-rural area. Size doesnt matter. But I do like the nimbleness of our smart and ease of driving. The quirks of the car can get to you. Forget the gearbox, much has been written, but how about the rear hatch. What kind of a computer does it have that it take 10 seconds to release. Why is there no beep confirmation when locking and unlocking doors. Maintenance! I am a little of a do it yourselfer....go check the water in the battery. Its a joke. Many in dealer stock. Bloom is off

  • Like no other car! - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Very enjoyable, and great response from other drivers and people. Lots of smart fans around! I really enjoyed it. I sold it for a VW Golf, that feels like a cruise ship in comparison! The transmission is AWFUL and needs getting used to. Slow and heaving when it shifts gears. Also, it had a bunch of repairs, recalls, bulletins under warranty, that were marvelously and fully and competently addressed by Smart Center Portland. Very safe and fun on the freeway.

  • Fun To Drive - 2010 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Purchased in El Paso Texas from individual who had won it and put it on E-Bay. Drove back to LA area in 18 hours..First tank averaged 43. Did wish it had cruise control but enjoyed the trip anyway. At 65 MPH car was fairly comfortable and enjoyable to drive..Hard to believe it is as small as it is when on the road. I am very happy I made the decision to purchase the Smart car. Love to drive it especially for running around town.

  • Bad Acceleration - 2008 Smart fortwo
    By -

    Great car for commuting, Good gas millage, low emissions. Love that you can just park sideways in a parallel parking spot. Transmission has problems from 1st to 2nd, takes time for it to kick over which can be a problem when trying to accelerate quickly.

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