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:
Showing 41 through 50 of 264.00-
Upgraded To Cabriolet! - 2009 Smart fortwo
By realsmart1 - July 30 - 8:46 pmI originally bought a blue with silver tridian coupe back in July... had issues with water retention in rear hatch...was given a cabriolet smart loaner during repairs...fell in love with convertible...immediately upgraded to a red with a black tridian convertible because of 1.2% APR financing promotion, despite $3000 depreciation for trade-in . I have no regrets...LOVE the convertible. Read my other review for coupe, same applies to this car.
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Fun to drive - 2008 Smart fortwo
By Tom Dall - July 27 - 11:20 pmI have had for two weeks now. Extremely spacious great little car. I love to drive it on side streets or highway.
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Smart - 2008 Smart fortwo
By tampaliquors - April 16 - 11:00 pmSeems like a good car, have several really cool cars to choose from in the garage, but I keep going to the smart. Peppy, nimble, seems huge inside. Valets love it, makes everyone smile. All for 15k out the door.
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What a great little car - 2009 Smart fortwo
By sampbris - April 2 - 11:56 pmI have owned many many vehicles in my 62 years and this is the first car ever that I have kept for over two years. I have enjoyed my smart for almost 4 years now. I have never had a problem with the car. When I bought it I had a Mercedes ML550 and a Toyota truck...I soon found that I didnt enjoy driving either one of those anymore (especially the "repair hungry" Mercedes) and I sold them....the smart has been my only vehicle since and the car has remained solid, reliable, economical and fun. Everyone wants to know about it and you can never get gas without ending up in a conversation about it. The outer finish never gets nicks or stone chips and looks as good as the day I bought it.
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Love my smart car - 2008 Smart fortwo
By Frank - March 31 - 7:30 pmPlan and simple, this car is a blast. I find myself looking for reasons to take it for a drive. I like the statement it makes-consume less-have more fun. Roomy, all manner of safety features, smiles from everyone that sees it. What is not to like.
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Fun to have your arrival announced - 2008 Smart fortwo
By gitlaw - March 3 - 12:40 pmWherever you go, you can hear people announce your arrival ("Smart car!"). That aside, the car has unexpected power on the highway. This car, like a small dog, doesnt know its small. Love the convertible top, though, which can open and close at any speed. Mercedes technology makes the car very quiet with the roof up compared to other convertibles (like the noisy Miata, for example). You get used to the upshift from 1st to 3rd, although my spouse prefers to use the paddle shifters for a smoother transition.
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Most fun car ever, take it everywhere - 2009 Smart fortwo
By tcfrank - February 25 - 11:36 pmThis car is solid, fun to drive and great in the snow - with engine over the driven wheels and traction control. Its so much fun to drive that I have sold my BMW motorcycle in favor of this car. My wife and I take the car everywhere and can ALWAYS find a parking spot that nobody else can get in! The transmission in full auto mode does take a little getting used to, but the paddle shifters are available to give you what you want when you want it if you dont like the auto shift program.
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The Killer Bee - My smart car and Me! - 2008 Smart fortwo
By PegMcC54 - February 19 - 6:00 pmI reserved a smart car as soon as I heard that they would be imported (and after a little research.) I love this little buzzing bee! I fold down my passenger seat for my service dog, a golden retriever and still have plenty of room to carry dog food and groceries! People will gather round where ever we go. Even have folks track along side to ask questions at stop lights and such. The local TV station WTOV9 Wheeling/Stuebenville ran a piece on it. They were driving by, spotted it in front of the house (I live right on old Route 40/ National Road) banged on my door and asked for a demo and interview. I love to wave at the gas stations as I buzz by. Maybe next week, fellas!
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The Best Ive Ever Owned - 2009 Smart fortwo
By Happy Guy - February 9 - 6:30 pmThe car has 5 star crash rating front sides and a 4 star for the rear. The car is great to drive it makes you fell that you are always in control. It handles like its on rails. Its small size makes parking a dream. I can park vertically up to the curb in NYC and protrude no further into the street than a conventional car. The convertible top can be opened and closed at any speed. The fuel economy is incredible.
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Super Fun - 2008 Smart fortwo
By AJ - February 5 - 6:50 amIve only had the smart for 2 days, but have driven it over 100 Miles already. Around town, things are great. Its roomy inside, the controls are logically placed, and it has every thing you need for your commute. At speeds over 68 mph, the drag from wind causes the car to bumble about a little. However, it performs strongly at 70, but must be urged to maintain 80 mph. Tailwinds from large trucks toss it a little too. But this vehicle was not designed for freeway travel, anyway. The transmission is a bit jumpy at slow speeds as well. It bucks a bit when it shifts.
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smart fortwo 264 Reviews
