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The Smart Fortwo minicar came to the US in 2008, and I think most Americans -- myself included -- didn't quite know what to make of it. For 2011, Smart has given the Fortwo a very minor makeover. The cosmetic changes to the front fascia and instrument panel are almost impossible to spot, but the functional changes are much more noticeable: Knee airbags for all models, side-curtain airbags for coupes, and options like integrated navigation and (finally!) cruise control.
Lots to like
Skeptical as I was about the last Smart I drove, I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed this one. Not that it was love at first site; my first day of driving felt like a mobile prison sentence. But with each passing day I got used to the Smart's foibles and found myself looking for excuses to drive it. By the end of my test week, I was reluctant to give it up.
What did I like about the Smart? For one thing, the Cabriolet version I drove is the least-expensive convertible sold in the US. For $18,400 -- same as a decently-equipped Honda Civic -- you get an open-top car with air conditioning and an automatic transmission. The Smart's convertible roof slides back like a giant sunroof (link goes to photo) and then folds into a bundle at the rear of the car (where it blocks half the view in the rear-view mirror). Getting the full convertible effect requires manually removing the side rails, but it's an easy job and they store neatly inside the trunk lid. One advantage to leaving the roof rails in place is that you can open and close the top at any speed -- something no other convertible I know of can do. And because the Fortwo Cabriolet is so small and so stiff, it doesn't suffer from the chassis flex that plagues most convertibles.
More likes: The Smart's tiny size makes for unbelievable maneuverability, and I loved being able to parallel-park in half-size spots -- you know, those otherwise useless gaps left by people who aren't courteous enough to pull up close to the car in front. Thanks to the tall driving position, the Smart doesn't feel nearly as tiny as it looks from the outside. Acceleration from the 70 hp 3-cylinder engine is quicker than you might expect, and it makes a cool growly sound when you rev it. The Fortwo grips the road pretty well, and standard electronic stability control ensures things won't get too far out of hand.
Lots to dislike
Fortwo's interior is cozy if you're short, crowded if you're tall, but the control layout is as simple as can be
Photo © Aaron GoldThat said, the list of downsides is pretty long. While the Smart is great for parallel parking, it loses its advantage in a regular parking lot: It has big doors, so even if you can squeeze it into a tiny spot, you won't be able to get out of the car. Interior space is fine as long as you're short like me (5'6"), but when my 6'2" son clambered in, he looked like an illustration in a geometry book. The oddball automatic transmission (a fully-automated manual that does all the clutching and shifting for you) makes for uneven power delivery, the ride is choppy over bumps, and the bottom-hinged brake pedal is awkward to use. Fuel economy isn't bad -- I averaged 39.9 MPG, much better than the last Fortwo I tested (35.8) -- but the Smart requires expensive premium fuel. The warranty, like the car, is alarmingly short: Just 2 years or 24,000 miles, with no extended powertrain coverage. And safety is a concern: Although the Fortwo has very good crash test scores, its 1,850-lb curb weight means that even a modestly-sized car would punt it like a football in a collision.
Like most European cars, the Smart offers lots of options that you don't even think about paying extra for in a domestic or Japanese car: Driver's armrest, extra storage bins, even metallic paint and power steering. My test car had $1,820 worth of options, yet it still lacked cruise control and a CD player.
Searching for an excuse
That said, even with an as-tested price over $20k, my tester was still $3,500 less than a bare-bones Mazda Miata and over $5,000 less than a MINI Cooper convertible. Fiat has a semi-convertible version of the 500 on the way -- it has a sliding roof with side rails that are fixed in place -- but it starts at $20,000.
The Smart Fortwo coupe is a little harder to justify; at $12,240 it gets an automatic transmission but no A/C or stereo. The Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris offer better value-for-money, though they lack the Smart's cool factor and park-anywhere size (although the Yaris comes close).
I can come up with a dozen reasons not to buy the Smart Fortwo, and only one really compelling reason why you should: It's a neat little car, especially in convertible form. And to me, that's good enough. I can think of several niches into which the Smart Fortwo fits perfectly: Commuter car for a working family; airport car for frequent travelers; grocery-getter for retirees or folks who work at home; tow-behind for a motorhome. It's simply a matter of finding an excuse -- and if I had a good excuse, I might well buy one myself. -- Aaron Gold
Larger photos: Front, top up - front, top down - rear - interior - all photos
What I liked about the Smart Fortwo:
Fortwo's three-cylinder engine is mounted underneath the trunk floor.
Photo © Aaron Gold- Super small and super maneuverable
- Flexible convertible top
- It's different!
What I didn't like:
- Bumpy ride
- Mediocre gas mileage for its size
- Requires premium fuel
Details and specs:
- Price range (including options): $13,240 - $23,030
- Powertrain: 1.0 liter 3-cylinder, 70 hp, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
- Where built: France
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 33 MPG city/41 MPG highway
- Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, side-curtain airbags (Coupe only), knee airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control
- Warranty: 2 years/24,000 miles bumper-to-bumper
- Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 2 years/24,000 miles roadside assistance
