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 fortwo passion - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Doug - November 12 - 10:26 am

  Picked up car last week, and way too much fun to drive. Gets lots of looks, and stares. Gas mileage is good as well. Be very careful driving fast over train tracks though.

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  Should cost more - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Pete - November 9 - 3:33 pm

  I drove the Smart 920 miles the first day I had it. Averaged 44 MPG. The fit and finish look more like cars costing twice the price. If you are in a hurry be careful where you stop. People just go crazy over this car and will delay you for sure wanting to know all about it!

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  Pros and Cons - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By KvFireman - October 21 - 12:20 am

  I purchased my Smart in October of 2009. Overall for what it is, the Smart is a good car. The Smart only holds approx 8 gallons of fuel. I have clocked the mileage at 48 mpg driving at around 55-60mph. 65-70 it drops considerably. A steady foot on the gas pedal helps. Try to avoid slowing down and speeding up frequently. This will decrease your mpg. It does not do well shifting on its own. It lugs a lot which I dont care what anybody says is not good for the engine!! The entire car also jolts when it shifts. You are better off shifting manually. There is no cruise control. The lumbar support is not very good. Other than those few issues, its really a great vehicle. Have no other complaints

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  What a Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Jimmy - September 27 - 7:00 am

  I bought this car in June. I dearly love the vehicle. It drives great and is a fun car. Gas mileage is great! Love my navigational system that is in it.

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  Smart Car Rocks - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smarty - September 25 - 2:43 pm

  The car is amazing. Acceleration is a bit slow but plenty of power in gears 3-5. Recommend the manual drive feature, much smoother operation. Gears 1-2 a little jerky in traffic. Comfort and roominess is great. Most fun Ive ever had driving a car. Car still turning heads after a year. Heater is a little weak, cant wait to try A/C. Gas Mileage is excellent (38- 44)but dont expect miracles. Seating is comfortable. Car is a little jerky if wind is kicking hard. Ive had mine up to 101mph and still a little room left. Handled well at that speed with no wind. Nothing beats the drive though...had it for a year and still cant wait to get into it every day.

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  2009 Smart Passion Convertible - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Andrea - September 8 - 12:50 pm

  I bought this car because it was so fun to drive and makes me smile every time I get in it. Ive found that shifting manually lends to a smoother ride than automatic mode. Ive driven the car on highways at 70+ mph speeds with and without tractor trailers and the drafts following the tractor trailers does create an environment that pushes the little car around, but honestly, even my Murano gets pushed around when traveling behind tractor trailers at high speeds. A majority of the driving I intend to use this car for doesnt involve highways anyway so I feel very safe and comfortable.

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  Smart is smart buy & A LOT of fun. - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By CCK - September 2 - 1:26 am

  I am so glad I decided to purchase this car. I love to get in it every morning and cant wait to drive it home. Pound for pound there isnt another car this fun to drive. I hope it is built to last. Only time will tell. Summary, buy it and enjoy driving.

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  I love my Smart Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By sdbigdog - August 31 - 9:36 am

  I bought this car as a fun backup car to my large SUV, but now I only drive Smart Car. I love it. At first the shifting seemed strange, but now Im used to it. Its fun to pass Porsches on the freeway at 85 mph. My only problem is every time I stop people always ask me questions about it. It gets too much attention.

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  Fun, but be careful - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By CyberSpiff - August 24 - 1:50 pm

  I drove the Smart for 14 miles each way to and from work for 6 months, enjoying the good mileage and fun handling. Parking was easy and it was a comfortable ride. The problem I ran into was a lack of stability in windy settings. I had a scary incident when I was blown into the lane next to me as a result of driving on a windy day and having a truck drive past me, which moved me over to the next lane. Thankfully there was no one in that lane, but it could have been a real problem. As a result I sold the car the next day. I dont think this is a typical situation and in no way blame the design. Its something to keep in mind when you are considering the Smart.

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  It is what it is - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Jim - August 8 - 12:53 am

  Averaging 36 MPG in heavy stop and go, bumper-to-bumper traffic. On the road I get mid-40s. With AC off I can average over 50 MPG at 55-60 MPH. If you currently enjoy driving / riding in a large luxury vehicle you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a fun to drive, small, easy to park, inexpensive, economical vehicle for mostly city driving and you have no need for more than 2 seats or a lot of storage, it will be difficult to beat the smart. This vehicle is not perfect - it is what it is!