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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  Best of no world - 2013 Smart fortwo
  By fazdaz - May 21 - 1:09 am

  My first impression of this car was that it will be fuel efficient which I can now assure you that it is NOT. I had read reviews that this car isnt really efficeint so I convinced myself by telling myself that Im buying a quality product. It has been six months and take my word on this. Its not efficient for its class. Its a tiny car, with very little power, you would think it gives twice as much mileage as a car like Corolla but it gives same result at the gas station. I had a flat tire at 2000 miles from a tiny piece of metal and Roadside assistance took 5 hours to arrive in rural area near a smart center. Inefficient and uncomfortable. I dont know how I got fooled into this.

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  Another Daimler product - 2011 Smart fortwo
  By iota78 - May 7 - 8:05 pm

  The only reason I checked the smart car out was the fact that it is made/engineered by Daimler. I have had many Mercedes. still have a 1972 450SL and my current one is a 2009 R350 (yea, the spaceship) For a 75 HP engine it has what i would expect or more with regard to acceleration. The transmission shifting is a little different at first but then reminds you you didnt buy a race car but one that gets you where you want to go with some nice euro style creature comforts. I am 64" 270 pounds and easily got into the seat without any trouble due to the large doors. leg room is ample and the large windows are good to eliminate any chance of feeling claustrophobic.

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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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  fortwo Hates Winter - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By UncyHerb - April 4 - 1:26 am

  Skinny front tires and auto trans makes ABS come on with every stop in snow. The rear wheels are always trying to drive forward as you come to a stop, so its up to the fronts to stop the car AND the motor. Ive gotten in the habit of popping it into neutral as Im stopping. I have no confidence in slippery stopping times. Roads made bumpy by frost heaves and potholes make for a punishingly harsh ride. The suspension must have only a couple of inches of travel because it doesnt take much to jolt the whole car on a bump. But when the roads are dry and smooth its fun to drive. Nice around town.

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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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  Ideal Key West Car! - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Tom Lavender - February 27 - 10:00 am

  I have a very early 2008 Passion Cabrio. Really enjoy the car, but its 150 miles to the dealer. Have had many driveability problems. It took Smart 2 1/2 years to figure what the backup problem was. I had cruise control installed, the dealer blamed the backup problem on the cruise. I had the cruise uninstalled still had the problem. I truly love the car but just dont understand Smarts logic as to marketing and service. Im out of warranty and ready to trade cars Smart Weston acts like they dont want my car back. It is a wonderful car, would be even better if the dealer wasnt 150 miles away. They need better warranty and better service centers.