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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  Worth the wait! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By murphysullivan - May 25 - 12:43 pm

  We had to wait a very long year after placing our reservation for our smart - her name is Daphne. The only way you know youre driving a tiny car is when you get ready to park it. It has wonderful pep; great head-turning quotient - makes everybody smile; and is such fun to drive. We got caught in a heavy snow squall about a week ago and in no time we were driving in a couple of inches of snow (no snow tires) on curvy, hilly country roads. The car performed beautifully. We have ordered the aftermarket exhaust system and are considering replacing the red body panels with yellow ones. Guess we could sell the red ones on eBay.

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  love the little car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By wesley - May 24 - 8:10 am

  Its fun to drive and bring smiles where ever I go, can park it in many places nobody else can, Im averaging 40 mile to gallon but as high as 45 when I drive slower--Ive had no problem with it on x-way and driven it as fast as 85 hour without any problems passing trucks or being passed, Im big guy 6,2 250 and quite comfortable in it even wearing my cowboy hat most of the time to--if I had to do it all over Id still buy it-- it even saved me on my insurance, its not for everyone but it sure fit my needs make great runabout, Im very pleased with it over all

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  learn how to shift - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By chip brady - May 16 - 2:50 am

  I continue to read reviews with people complaining about the transmission! My wife and I each have a fortwo. Last month we drove it 2700 miles from seattle to Spearfish SD.It was terrific in the mountains.The paddle shifters work like a dream. We left our Cadillac at home and drove the smart car. If people will take the time to learn to shift the car it is the best transmission on the road today. We have been in the auto parts business for over 40 years and have had many different vehicles, but these are amazing. I have 15,000 miles on mine and it runs just like the day I bought it! The roominess inside continues to surprise people. More headroom than my cadillac.

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  Lover My Smart42 - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ron - April 24 - 7:36 am

  Love the car and the way it handles in city and highway driving. Its fun and economical. The transmission takes a couple of drives to get use to how it shifts and the feel of the pedal, but once you drive it a little, it responds just fine.

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  As an Owner from Florida. - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Louis G. Myers - March 30 - 7:53 pm

  Very good on the highway. I like the room inside, the steering, the visibilty, and the exterior and interior color. Here are some things that wood help you in the 09s. I had my grandson drive, he is 6ft 5. now thats OK but he wears a size 15 shoe. He had a hard time with his left foot, it was a little too tight on the left side where the foot goes.We do feel a bump or pot hole which is understandable.

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  Cant get out of its own way ! - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By TriCounty - March 4 - 9:46 am

  Has no power. Has a hard time getting up a hill. If you live in an area with hills and mountains dont even think about this car .

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  Daimler Wont Back - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By 1unhappysmarty - February 21 - 5:07 pm

  My 08 smart just turned 50K miles and now I am told that it needs a new engine. Daimler won’t back up their product or even work with me in any way. I am warning social media to consider other auto companies when it comes time to purchase a vehicle.

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  2nd Smart Car in a month - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Urkkle-Splat - February 13 - 2:23 am

  My son shamed me out of my V8 Silverado. So driving the Smart Car to work - 100km/day. Emissions - from 12 L/100 km to 4 L/100 km. Lost my Diesel 2 days ago. Dealership never explained the parking procedure for the 2006 model. Read the Operators Manual carefully before purchasing the Smart Car. Anyways it rolled across the street even with the EBrake on. Now have the 2008 Limited Edition. Gas Model. Always stopping to fill up the tank - a bit of a pain. But I figure I saved about $250/mos. in fuel and emitting a smaller foot print. Off to dealership again 135 km away-glitch in Cargo Door window. Normally I go to the city once a year- so far Ive been there 6 times.So much for the carbon issue.

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  Perfect for the Beach - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By neptune2000 - February 8 - 8:56 pm

  Im in line for another cabriolet, but the wait is now 18 months, so I found one in Sherman Oaks, CA. With only 2000 miles on it an no dings at all. It was just like brand new. I traded in a Ford Explorer. I have owned Ferraris and this car is as much fun (different kind of fun). I tried it on beach streets (Manhattan Beach), freeways (LA to Orange, 405, 5, 55) and it handles great. I am glad I got the Cabrio, it is great at the beach.

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  Great City Commuter Car - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Juniorswa - February 6 - 2:40 am

  Have owned this car for a little while now and I have to say I love it! Im averaging 35 mpg using automatic mode and a/c in city traffic. Insurance rates are low and the smart gets a lot of attention. The interior is very roomy and comfortable. Inside it feels like any other car. My last car was a Mazda Miata, so the interior is very comfortable and the ride is very quiet to me. The hatchback trunk is also really great! I too was initially afraid when I first purchased my smart, but this car really grows on you quickly. This is my first European car as I have only owned Japanese brands until now: Mazda, Toyota, and Honda. The Mercedes-Benz service at the dealer has been fantastic!