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:

• 

  Little Red SmartCar (driving in MN) - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Pappy704 - July 19 - 10:43 am

  I had never touched a Smart before getting my little red convertible. I am 6 4" and was concerned about fitting in a little car. I was extremely pleased with the tremendous amount of room in the cabin. My knees comfortably fit under the dash. My wife had to laugh once she got in. The ride with the top open is fantastic. I was amazed with the headroom with the top closed. The mileage has been terrific in town where I regularly get 41 mpg. I had to chuckle with my first fill up of 3 gallons after my 1st 130 miles. The car drives well on the highway and over distances. My foot got a little heavy on a highway and I opened it up to 95. Its a great commuter car and a ball on the weekends

• 

  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.

• 

  My Rollercoaster Ride - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By LouG - February 18 - 9:06 pm

  I have owned this car for 9 months. I cant wait too get rid of it!!!! Yeah its cute but it isnt all that its made out too be. The gas mileage is good only if you drive like an old person, A car this small should get better MPG. The transmission is the worst, annoying, uncomfortable feeling I have ever exp, even with the trans software update. It is soooo annoying if you get stuck in traffic, Shifting from 1st to 2nd constantly up and down will make you want to vomit. This is the main reason I want too sell it. Gas gauge still wont read rt, even after 5 times back too the dealer, Mercedes should be ashamed to hsve there name linked too this car. THE LITTLE HERKY JERKY ROLLERCOASTER RIDE..

• 

  Great CITY car - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By BRokicki - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a 4 month old 2009 with 1500 miles for a MB dealership that used it as a loaner car. After driving 5 hours back home I was impressed, this little guy keeps up with traffic just fine, cross winds at highway speeds (75 mph) are not fun, so slow down over bridges. I bought the car mainly for parking in NYC. I can fit it every where! My Smart doesnt have power steering, its fine for me but you do have to put a bit of muscle into it when parking in a small spot, once the car is moving, there is no difference. It has 2K miles and there are already some rattles, not good! Only buy this car if you live in a congested area, or you only want 1 passenger!

• 

  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 wonÂ’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.

• 

  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.

• 

  08 Cabriolet - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By Primo - July 20 - 11:33 am

  Fun to drive does not do justice to this little car, if you want attention, this is the car. Everywhere I go people stop and ask questions about this car. Some have even asked to sit in it or take pictures. I let my wife drive it sometimes and when shes leaving I am thinking "Boy that thing is small", but when you are inside, it seems much bigger, headroom and legroom is no problem, the ride is a bit bumpy, and the trans is something you either get used to or you dont like it. As far as power goes, I have no problem getting up to speed to enter the expressways, and I have had my car up to 85 mph with no problems. You do get tossed around abit when a semi-truck passes by though.

• 

  Incredibly fun but only a second car - 2008 Smart fortwo
  By George - May 26 - 9:16 pm

  This thing is way cute and very fun to drive--its my wifes car. She traded a 2 year old Beetle because of VW reliability problems. Want people to look at you and talk to you? Buy this car. Manual shifting is the only way to go and is easy and fun. This review is being written by a guy who just traded a 2005 Mercedes SLK 155 mph roadster for a 2008 BMW 335i convertible; yeah, this little car is that good and that fun to drive. Freeway driver it isnt -- its got the power but gets the twitches above 70 mph due to the 6 wheelbase. I cant imagine not having this car but be sure to have a real car for trips-- this is a city car.

• 

  Quirky, of course - 2013 Smart fortwo
  By rdown - April 29 - 7:02 am

  Im a teacher, and they reeled me in with the extra discount - and a generous trade-in on my 10-year old New Beetle. The car has been more fun than I thought it would be to drive, but I agree with other posters that leaving it in pure auto mode results in a lousy ride. Even in manual 1st to 2nd is a drag. The little engine does quickly lug out on hills and even slight inclines, but it drops seamlessly into 4th with an easy pull of the shift lever. Gas mileage so far better than advertised. Plenty of vertical room, but my legs end up jammed against the door and the shifter when it is in manual mode. Along with the seats being uncomfortable, I am not looking forward to long trips.

• 

  Way to much $$$$$ for a Smart - 2009 Smart fortwo
  By Bob_Azar - February 13 - 4:06 am

  Everyone things it cute but its boring to drive.