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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  smart fortwo - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By BumbleBee - July 2 - 7:06 pm

  It is a very well designed car with some quirks. The herky-jerky transmission goes away after you get used to what it wants to do versus what you want it to do and understand how to take control. There have been some teething problems as can be expected with a totally newly designed car. That does not take away from the fun of driving it and the savings in gasoline that goes along with it.

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  Surprisingly fun! - 2011 Smart fortwo
  By wallen2 - May 31 - 1:52 pm

  I dont own one of these, but I use Car2Go in Austin, which is a car sharing company that uses only Smart cars. I was so surprised how fun this thing is to drive, even out of the city and on the highway. For only 75hp, this thing really goes quickly. Great interior space as well. But Edmonds cons are spot on. That transmission is pretty harsh, and that break pedal is hard to get used to at first. It feels like its not going to stop.

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  Smart Metro Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Dan K - May 24 - 4:33 am

  I live in Tucson, AZ and the only hwy driving Ive done is to take it 90 miles to Chandler for servicing once a year. Not fun to drive in strong cross winds where everyone wants to drive 85+ mph (limit is 75 mph). Helps to find a mid-sized truck or large van going 75 mph to follow behind. Got 57 mpg on one hwy, 50 mph on my most recent trip (with A/C). Car is perfect for driving around Tucson where hwy travel is limited. The high profile is not great for high wind at high speeds, but it makes getting in and out much easier on the knees. Well worth the trade off for me. Can override auto shifting when needed. Not good with "California stops" as it confuses the auto shift.

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  Great little car!!! - 2012 Smart fortwo
  By frugaldave1298 - July 9 - 8:17 pm

  Got this as a commuter car for my wifes 13 mile commute. Only 400 miles so far, but last 2 fill ups have netted 43mpg (mostly hwy) and 39 (50/50). The good thing about these mpg numbers coming from someone who has had both a 2001 Honda INsight and 2007 Civic Hybrid...is that you DONT have to try to get good mpg in this car. It just happens =) We have the Passion coupe with the wide wheels. Really though, this is a great 2nd car. You can drive it when you need to to save on gas and easier parking...and save your larger car for use only when needed. It makes perfect sense. Yeah, the transmission is a little funky, but youre used to it in no time, never feel underpowered, etc.

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  Great City Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By ekaJ - June 6 - 5:36 pm

  This car is a great city car parking in place where other drivers wouldnt dream of parking. It is fun to drive and drives great in the city. It isnt as much fun on the highway. It may look small but you forget that you are in a car that small when you are sitting in it. Overall the car is great.

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  Another planet altogether - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Smartgabester - June 3 - 3:03 am

  Very fun to drive, thrifty, excellent conversation item.The ride is a bit choppy and slow, and the transmission is fickle.I always look forward to driving it, and I consistently get 40mpg.It runs fine in 89 octane MIDGRADE, spiked with 5-10$ of 92 octane premium per tankful. Defective radio, changed under warranty within 5 min. by the dealer. The gas gauge has been a bit whimsical, but worked its own bugs out (healed itself). Catalytic converter hot air pump failed: another 5 min. stop at the dealer for a replacement. The drivers side mirror fuzzes a bit. The starter lock has a personality. Tinny speakers too.

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  2010 smart fortwo passion - 2010 Smart fortwo
  By AmsoilGuy - March 23 - 12:16 am

  Had been researching this car for months and finally bought one. Shifting is not too bad. Did a lot of highway driving and my first top off yielded only 32 MPG. Hopefully the car just needs to be broken in. At 70 MPH, its just like many people say, the wind rocks the car back and forth on a windy day. In the city, the car is a joy to drive. I love running errands around town in it. I love the ease of parking. This vehicle is not for everyone. Think of it like a motorcycle. Its great as an "extra" vehicle as it has no real utility. It is our 2nd vehicle. 95% of the time all you need to do is carry 1 person around. I dont need a 3500-4000 lb gas hog to do this. I love this car.

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  Makes Life Easy - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By HiBeamsOn - February 26 - 6:56 pm

  I love my smart, and it makes my life in the city easy! I live where people will pay 30K for a parking spot, but why do that when for half the price you can have such a wonderful car! I NEVER have parking issues any longer! Drives great in the city and the freeway, holds lots of groceries, plenty of luggage for a weekend jaunt to the country, and enough space left over for those cant-live-without-it purchases. People have said that they cannot see themselves in a smart. I tell them that they are missing out. NOTE: The transmission is a manual that is designed to shift automatically. It is not an automatic. If you are used to the way a manual trans feels, the smart will feel very normal.

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  The Start of Smart - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Kliegmite - December 27 - 11:46 pm

  I first saw Smart in Rome. I was convinced that it would be hot in America. Now that I own the Americanized version, it is clear - this car will be Hot in the USA. Solid, Reliable, Convenient, comfortable, practical, attractive, interesting, and it keeps up with the rest in a respectable way. Smart is here. Finally. A truly innovative car in the US market. Once it starts marketing to the young crowd - look out. Its the next fad. Beyond the VW.

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  Orphan Car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Beach Auto - October 26 - 2:43 pm

  Fun to drive. Suspension a little stiff on rough roads. Some road noise. Would like to see access door on rear floor panel to check oil more easily. Also a right side armrest, cruise control and tilt wheel. I really like this car and may buy another one.