Smart Fortwo Reviews

Fiat 500C Lounge and Smart ForTwo Cabrio go head-to-head in this comparative review. 

The car fairies come to visit me this week as I sleep in Stuttgart, not far from the birthplace of the automobile more than 125 years ago. While I am catching some shut-eye, they wave fairy dust over the Smart ForTwo I have parked in the hotel garage. Or so it seems.As I jump back into the tiny Smart, preparing to battle the commuter traffic on a run to Daimler central just outside of town, I glance down at the fuel gauge and I'm stunned for a just second to see it is magically back on the full mark.I don't recall a petrol station. But then I do remember this is not just an ordinary Smart, and I had better disconnect its electrical umbilical cord before selecting Drive.VALUEThis car is a Smart ForTwo Electric Drive and it's part of an evaluation fleet of more than 1000 cars racking up kilometres and experience across Europe. The first of the fleet hit the road in London in 2007 and have been followed by cars in a range of big cities as far apart as The Netherlands and home base in Germany.The plug-in Smart is now in its second generation - with a third to come later this year - and Daimler says production has topped 2000 cars for destinations in 18 countries. The first real-world electric car from the Daimler family is promised for Australia, but the final details - on-sale date and the crucial price - are still unknown."It's under evaluation. We're looking to bring a small number in initially, to trial them in our driving conditions," says David McCarthy, speaking for Mercedes-Benz."The big stumbling point is the price at this point. It's probably going to be pretty close to $30,000. It will be at least a 50 per cent premium on the petrol car."But what is known is that, unless owners have a solar array on the roof, the vast majority of these Smarts will be running on coal-fired electricity and that's not so smart. Still, Benz is pushing ahead with a potential plan that would make it the third all-electric car in Australia, after the tiny and tinny Mitsubishi iMiEV and the impressive Nissan Leaf."Hopefully in the next month or so we'll have a decision. We've got a bit of interest but we deliberately haven't talked about it until we've driven the car in local conditions," says McCarthy.TECHNOLOGYThe ForTwo is an ideal subject for electrification. In fact, when the tiny city car was born in the 1980s - as the Swatchmobile, an idea from Swatch boss Nicolas Hayek - it was originally intended to be a plug-in battery car.Things changed and by the time it hit the road in 1998 it had gone petrol, and today's ForTwo is still motivated by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine in the tail that produces 52 kiloWatts with claimed economy of 4.7 litres/100km.The switch to the latest ED package puts a lithium-ion power pack, sourced from Tesla, into the car together with an electric motor good for 20kW in constant running, and 30 at peak. The maximum speed is 100km/h, acceleration takes 6.5 seconds to 60km/h and the range is a claimed 100 kilometres.But when ED3 arrives this year, a new battery and other changes will mean 35kW - and a petrol-rivalling 50 at pen - a top speed of 120km/h, 0-60km/h in five seconds and a range better than 135 kilometres.DESIGNThe design of the SmartTwo is much as it's always been - short, stumpy and very different. That difference has not worked well in Australia, where parking is not as precious as it is in Paris or London or Rome. But some people like the idea of a two-seater city runabout and the Smart delivers with a look that is unique.The Smart ED - for Electric Drive - has alloy wheels and is nicely fitted out in the cabin, with two dash-top gauges - they stick up like crab's eyes - to measure battery life and current power use. The plug-in cable is nicely integrated into the bottom half of the rear hatch, which splits with a glass upper for easy access, and the plug-in point is tucked into what would normally be the filler for the fuel tank.SAFETYThe latest Smart is a four-star car in Europe, but that's not the ED. So it's hard to know exactly how it will go, despite Daimler promises that it will be as good as the regular car.It comes with ESP and ABS, as you'd expect, and safety has always been a priority - with massive changes to everything from the suspension to the weight balance even before the first car was sold. But it's still a tiny car and you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end if someone in a Toyota LandCruiser made a mistake.DRIVINGI have driven a bunch of electric cars and the Smart ED is one of the nicest, and most relevant as a green city runner. It's never going to rival a Falcon at the lights, or have the carrying power of a Commodore, but it answers the needs of a lot of people who are now even looking at scooters for inner-city chores and trips.The Smart feels way, way more solid than the iMiEV, while the price will easily undercut the Leaf. But, there are a bunch of buts.Any Smart car makes a lot of sense in Europe, where roads are crowed and parking is tight, and the electric car is even smarter because it is zero emission when running. But even the worse of Sydney and Melbourne traffic is no match for Paris at peak time.The Smart ED is also slow. Very slow. It gets away ok, and is fine up to about 50km/h, but then it battles to add pace and tops out at a GPS-measured 101km/h.I have not driven a car so tardy as my original 1959 Volkswagen Beetle, which means you have to be thinking all the time about maintaining momentum and keeping out of the way of quicker traffic. The Smart is alright on a highway, but hills are a challenge and you really need to keep an eye on the mirrors.Stil, it's a fun car. And a very green car. It's also feels more substantial than I remember from earlier ForTwo runs, rides well and has good brakes and handling for the size and pace of the car.The electric systems are totally inconspicuous and cause almost zero fuss - although the plug-in cable could get dirty if you don't have an enclosed garage or charging spot. My German car comes without onboard satnav, which should be standard to help with locating charge points.And that's the only remaining question. It's extremely easy to plug the Smart ED into a regular socket, and an overnight charge is no drama, but there are still doubts about range.The car easily lasts for 80 kilometres in Germany despite lots of full-throttle work, with the dial still showing half a charge on the 16 kiloWatt-hour battery, and the fairy visit means it's ready for more than another 80 the following morning. It's tough to know until I get a Smart ED home, but it's a car I like and - even at $32,000 - it could be a good thing for Australia.VERDICTA great way to get around in Europe with potential for solid support down under.At a glanceScore: 7/10Smart Electric DrivePrice: estimated $32-35,000Engine: AC permanent magnet synchronous electricTransmission: single speed, RWDBody: two-door coupeBody: 2.69m (L); 1.55m (w); 1.45 (h)Weight: 975kg 

The smart was so far ahead of the curve that it missed the ballgame when it launched here in 2003. Australians at that time weren't prepared to consider a micro car and it didn't emulate its European success, where the Merc-built model was a popular city commuter. Fast forward to 2011 and small cars are increasingly in vogue. So, is the two-seat runabout a smart choice now?VALUEA $19,990 sticker price doesn't look like a smart buy in a market where the Holden Barina Spark, Suzuki Alto and Nissan Micra all undercut it by $7000 or more. And they have back seats and a boot. What the Smart does have is rear-wheel drive and the best fuel use of a conventional-engined car at 4.4 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 100g/km. The limited  edition "night orange" model seen here was a sellout, despite costing an extra $2800. In the UK, Aston Martin can't make enough of their Toyota iQ-based Cygnets, even at $55,000, so the re's definitely a market for upmarket city cars.DESIGNThe fortwo is all about packaging. The 999cc three-cylinder engine is mounted directly above the rear wheels so the 200-litre boot is up front. The dash plastics are as good as anything in the class and the overall cabin quality feels better than its rivals, but so it should. The exterior shape is three years old but still edgier than anything else in this market and is a big part of the reason the Smart appeals to young Europeans, according to Mercedes.TECHNOLOGYThe micro car concept is the gamechanger here. Mercedes had no competition when it launched this car in 1998. The design was widened and centre of gravity lowered when the Smart infamously failed a simulated rollover "moose test". It is the only car in this segment using an automated manual transmission but the five-speeder shifts slower than a politician in front of the cameras.SAFETYThere's not much room for crumple zones in the fortwo. Instead, Mercedes developed the tridion safety cell, the black or silver bit that runs from the A pillar to the bottom on the doors. It is a triple-layered steel cell with sliding beams front and rear to absorb small impacts without damaging the cell itself. There are also four airbags and safety software you expect in small cars. EuroNCAP gave it four stars.DRIVINGThe Smart is great fun driving around town and acceptable on the freeway runs that connect the city to the 'burbs. Cross winds will push it around, but it is no worse than a high-riding SUV. What does hurt is the auto transmission. It's slow shifts exaggerate the car's habit of pitching forwards under a gearchange and then backwards as the drive engages.  It is without peer in inner-city laneways  and the tightest parking spot is yours for the taking, with little fear of door and/or panel damage.VERDICTThe car that started the popular micro car trend is overpriced but a more engaging drive than some of its rivals. It was made for CBD owners and is an ideal city runabout. That's why VW is launching the Up .SMART FORTWOPrice: $19,990Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmResale: 55 per centService intervals: 20,000kmEconomy: 4.4 litres/100km (95 RON), 100g/km CO2Equipment: Four airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill start assist Crash rating: Four starsEngine: 1.0-litre triple-cylinder, 52kW/92NmTransmission: Give-speed automated manualBody: Two-door hatchDimensions: 2695mm (L), 1559mm (W), 1542mm (H), 1867mm (WB)Weight: 750kg

Never have my wife and I disagreed so much — except on our wedding night, when I wanted to leave early. Echoing that level of differing opinions, she loved the Smart fortwo coupe we had on test recently and I loathed it. She found it fun to drive and I felt like a complete goose in the tiny two-seater.She said people looked, smiled and waved at her when she was driving it while I found they pointed, laughed and made other motions with their hands. So I went to Crazy Clark's and bought a clever disguise for just $2. Not that I'm against small cars. The Mini is great fun to drive. But the Smart fortwo coupe just feels too quirky and weird to make the driving experience anything other than a total aggravation.InteriorIt started for me when I struggled trying to unlock the car with the key fob buttons which are totally invisible to my naked eye.When I slipped in behind the wheel it was no better. It seems Mercedes — the makers of Smart cars — has done everything it can to make the controls different to conventional wisdom.Even the key is located in the centre console, rather than near the steering wheel, although Saab also does that. Speaking of the steering wheel, it is not reach adjustable, so the driving position just never felt comfortable for me, although my wife loved it.TransmissionThe Smart coupe comes with a five-speed manual, but this one was equipped with the ‘Softouch’ auto for an extra $750. It includes steering wheel paddles to change gears, or you can push and pull the gear lever. The ‘Softouch’ semi-automatic changes are ridiculously ponderous and require the driver to decelerate as if they were changing manual gears, but without a clutch.Even leaving it in automatic it dithers and feels as if it's stalling as it slows to change gears. And forget about rapid downshifts for overtaking or impetus on a hill because it groans and struggles on for ages in too-high a gear before deciding to switch cogs. Getting off the mark is also quite slow and it takes more than 13 seconds to wind up to highway speed.Engine It's not that the vehicle is underpowered. It only has a three-cylinder 999cc engine, but it weighs only 750kg. Besides, you can also get a version with 10kW more power and 32Nm more torque. The problem lies in that auto transmission. The manual would undoubtedly be nippier.DrivingSpeed is not the essence of this vehicle. According to my wife it's about fun, economy and easy parking. Oh, and she loves the efficient wipers. I wasn't having much fun, especially around my neighbourhood where people could identify me or when our equally tall photographer and I tried to squeeze into the car together and had to take turns putting on our seat belts or cop an elbow in the eye. However, I will concede on the economy and parking issues. And the big-sweeping wipers.With a turning circle less than 9m and a wheelbase of just 1.8m, it whips into parking spaces with no planning or skill required. You can even fit it sideways in a parking space as they tend to do in Paris and Rome. It also whips into the tightest spaces when merging into traffic without inciting rage from other road users.Fuel consumption As for economy, it simply ran all week without making much of a dint in the fuel gauge, so I tend to believe the supplied figures of 4.7L/100km. And that's pretty good. That's even better than my motorcycle. In fact, under certain conditions, such as stop-start commuting, you could expect to get even better economy if you choose to switch on the economy button next to the gearshift. This puts it into ‘stop/start’ function which means the engine stops when the car stops and starts when you take your foot off the brake again so you aren't wasting fuel while idling at the traffic lights or stopped in a queue of traffic.However, in the summer, you will find the airconditioning also switches off and the car quickly heats up. It also feels very rough as the three-cylinder donk shudders to a halt and fires up again and in stop-start traffic this becomes quite annoying.PricingThe Smart is listed at just under $20,000 and is built to that price, but even competitors in this price range have electric wing mirrors. The only saving grace of the manual mirrors is that you can easily reach the passenger's side because the car is so tiny. Not that it worries my wife — she never looks in the mirrors, except to fix her lippy. However, my wife did find one problem with the car: she felt very nervous when a truck pulled up behind.

It is really a matter of horses for courses. What may seem a terribly desirable thing to consumers in one market is going to leave those in another wondering what the fuss is about.The three bar heater that seems indispensable to the good citizens of Gnome, Alaska, will simply gather dust in a shop window in Bangkok.And that brings us to the Smart Fortwo. As clever as all get-out in the alleyways of Rome or the backstreets of Paris the little two-seater micro-car elicits less enthusiasm in a wide brown land.It is not that the ideas are any less clever nor the solutions any less elegant it is just that there is less opportunity to be struck by them.We have long been a closet fan of the Smart concept — much the same way as one would be a fan of Morris dancing ... there is a certain skill involved but you don't want to actually do it yourself, or let others know that you do.DrivetrainThe latest Smart close encounter has been with the so-called MHD (that's mild hybrid drive) which really isn't a hybrid at all — at least not as we know it.The Smart MHD has no electric motors to help it slip quietly away in the mornings, no battery packs soaking up regenerative power from the brakes or pouring additional urge to wheels as the workload increases.What it does have is a button marked Eco and a nice green light on the dash to make drivers feel good about their efforts to save the planet.That Eco button does have a function. It engages the stop-start capability of the MHD's dual-mode starter/generator and battery to shut down the three-cylinder, 1-litre naturally aspirated engine as the car is braked to a halt and restart it when the foot is lifted off the brake pedal.What the off-again, on-again engine means to the environment is a claimed saving of six percent in fuel use — down to 4.7L/100km on a combined cycle — with a similar saving in emissions (112gms of CO2 per kilometre).For a petrol car they are pretty impressive figures, until you remember that to move the same number of people as any other small sedan you need to use twice as many cars.Body, fit-out and equipment And that is probably what makes the Smart such a niche vehicle. It is a selfish car. There is nothing gregarious about it.Heading off for a game of golf? It's you and your golf bag on the passenger seat. Going shopping? Don't plan on taking a passenger because they are going to have to walk home as an average family shop fills the Smart to overflowing.The Smart is about satisfying very particular personal needs.There is no arguing that the car's tiny 2.7-metre length opens up never-before explored options for parking while the fuel-sipping economy is a wallet saver.It is also one of the better cars in the market for ease of entry and exit. The upright stance makes the seat height/hip relationship very suitable for joints that may not move as well as they once did.Interior space is also good. That may seem a strange statement given the criticism of the car for its selfish nature but head and shoulder room in the square passenger compartment is surprisingly generous.There is nothing flash about the car's interior with a small dash display for the speedo, a clock and tacho in two individual pods on top of the dash and materials that are tactile and pleasing.The seats are supportive and with enough range of movement to get a reasonable driving position from the fixed steering wheel.Driving The biggest surprise is just how adequate the performance of the Smart is. With just 52kW of power and a meagre 92Nm of torque it would be fair to assume that the little city car would struggle.It doesn't. While a 13.3 second 0-100km/h time is not the stuff of excitement the combination of the engine and five-speed automated manual transmission is good enough to handle most needs that arise in city traffic.The changes are not particularly smooth, especially if the manual selection is used and the engine run out to its peak performance range around 5000rpm.Ride quality on the 15-inch wheels is reasonably well controled through the McPherson strut front end and DeDion rear axle with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers.As good as it is it can't completely isolate the tall body and relatively short wheelbase and narrow track from the laws of physics.On the open road the claimed maximum top speed of 145km/h is not something any sane person would want to explore but the car will cruise quite comfortable at the speed limit.However, getting away for the weekend will pose its own problems.With two people on board the luggage space is — well, restricted. There is a narrow bin behind the seats into which one could squeeze a soft sports bag and suitbag or a couple of briefcases.The bottom line A clever concept but as awkward in Australia as a carnivore at a vegan party.Rating: 70/100

The second generation Smart ForTwo is more spacious, has a better ride and comes with more safety features than its predecessor, but is this tiny little car — which thrives in some of Europe’s most populous and cramped cities — necessary on Australian roads?Exterior Obviously the Smart ForTwo looks different to other vehicles but it’s not until you see one sandwiched between two larger cars – like we did in the work car park - that you really appreciate how minute these things are. At just over two and a half meters long and one and a half meters wide, they make a Corolla look ungainly.Interior Inside, the ForTwo is quite basic as space is at a premium. The clock and rev counter are forced above the dash in two external dials but this gives the cockpit a cheeky, slightly sporty look. Electric windows and mirrors, comfortable seats and a quality stereo provide a well rounded package.Storage again is at a premium but the luggage area is a manageable 220 litres and the door pockets and lockable centre console box provide some extra room.Engine and TransmissionBoth the coupe and cabriolet versions of the new Smart are powered by a standard one litre, three cylinder 52kW/92Nm naturally aspirated or a 62kW/120Nm turbo engine.Both the naturally aspirated and turbo engines get you to a top speed of 145km/h with the turbo pushing you to the 100km mark in 10.9 seconds – almost three seconds faster than the 52kW.Fuel consumption is expectedly low at 4.7 litres/100kms for the 52kW engine and 4.9 litres/100kms for the one with larger outputs.An automated clutch-less manual five-speed transmission gets power to the wheels but there is no option to fully automate the process.Safety For such a small car, the ForTwo safety package is impressive. ESP, hill-start assist, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, acceleration skid control and electronic brake assist are all standard. Marry that with the crash rating and you begin to feel a little less wary about going for a spin.Pricing At $19, 990 for the cheapest coupe (up to $24, 990 for the turbo cabriolet), these are not the cheapest small cars out there. Couple this with the fact that they provide the least space and a question mark hangs over your decision to buy one. Living with itWigley saysIt’s a little disconcerting sitting right against the back wall of the car and even though it has received 4 out of 5 euro NCAP stars, it still feels a little dinky. More space in the cabin in this second generation version separates you and your passenger a little better but you may feel a little claustrophobic if you like to stretch out.Front and side vision is great but you only get a matchbox of window out the back because of the tall seats.On paper the power and torque figures seem miniscule but given that the car is a mere 750kgs, the performance is quite good, possibly even nippy at times.Constant paddle or gear stick shifting is a must, and gear changing is a bit clunky and it can get annoying if you’re in a hurry.They are cute and novel but the demand shouldn’t be as strong as it might be in Europe where tight laneways and massive populations necessitate a car this small and nimble.VERDICT: 6.8/10Halligan saysGetting out of the City was fun, the acceleration surprised and I just love a paddle shift. Slotting into traffic and accelerating for lane changes is where this thing excels … as long as you allow for the up-change lag which appears to be in the seconds rather than the milliseconds.But it's not very smooth at low speeds, lots of pitching and whirring, Not very pleasant or relaxed. I found the ergonomics lousy. I had the seat right back and I had to scrunch my arm up to be able to get to the window switch to wind it down. The interior mirror is right at a height where you constantly have the drivers lights behind you in your eyes.Turning fast displayed not much body roll, however doing a fast change from fourth to fifth resulted in pitching that would leave my wife feeling seasick. But the Smart sat and tracked nicely, even going past a couple of B-double trucks running in tandem.A couple of times overtaking Commodore and Bimmer drivers I found them accelerating once I was past to get back in front. Obviously they were annoyed at the indignation of being passed by the little Smart.But my wife just laughed at the car, and a drive didn’t endear it to her.I am a Mercedes fan, but would I buy one of these? No.Buy a Fiat 500 – at least you won’t be laughed at by your wife.VERDICT: 6.5/10 Pincott saysYou really have to keep your hand on the paddles to make the most of this little engine in anything other than the most relaxed city driving. And two tall girls found there was plenty of room for us, but after our briefcases were added, not much for anything else.Positioning of some of the controls is uncomfortable, and rear vision is hugely compromised.All of which should mean an unenjoyable experience. And yet…The Smart is as much a statement as a form of transport. It says you’re urban, concerned about the environment, and don’t rely on a large car to highlight your importance in the world. You’re smart, in fact.But its main problem is that it’s all a bit worthy, like cloth shopping bags and wholefoods. Which overlooks that the Smart can be a lot of fun as an urban traveller.There’s something just so appealingly ludicrous about its proportions that you can’t help but grin at the sight of it.Especially when that sight is a satisfied backward glance as you blithely walk away after inserting it into a parking slot that would challenge a large pram.Could I live with it forever? Only if there was a second vehicle in the garage for trips away, garage sales and even the weeks with a large grocery list.VERDICT: 6.7/10 

But as the all-new Smart Fortwo was launched in Sydney this week, it arrived with a question mark over its real relevance on Australian roads.The one-model company, under parent company Mercedes-Benz, sold just 550 Fortwo's in Australia last year. And that's a number that Smart Australia's boss Wolfgang Schrempp admits isn't profitable enough to continue on for the next three to four years. But they're confident the second-generation of the novelty-like car can help boost those numbers.Since the late 1990s, Smart has sold 770,000 Fortwos worldwide. It's an environmentally friendly urban car for someone who wants to stand out as being funky, individual and “smart”-thinking. And the new model arrives just a bit bigger and better than its predecessor.The Fortwo will be available in two engines and two body styles. Both are powered by a Mitsubishi-built, naturally aspirated 999cc three-cylinder engine, one giving off 52kW, the other getting some help from a turbo-charger and delivering 62kW of power. Customers also have the choice of a coupe or cabrio model, the soft top retracting at any speed and the coupe featuring a glass roof with a sliding lining. The new Fortwo has become less toy-like, although it still maintains its quirky and unique character.It sits on a longer wheelbase, has slightly larger dimensions and has undergone some styling changes. The boot is also a little bigger. From the rear, the Fortwo now looks like a proper car with its wider stance and four lights adorning the rear instead of the previous six.The aim of the car as an environmentally friendly model is achieved nicely — it's the most fuel-efficient petrol car on the market, getting 4.7-litres per 100km on the non-turbo engined version and 4.9-litres for the turbo.Carbon dioxide emissions are also low. The Fortwo starts at $19,990 for the 52kW coupe model and $22,990 for the cabrio. The turbo version adds $2000 to each price tag. And while it may look unusual, driving it feels just like any other light car. There's plenty of space for the two occupants, and the passenger especially gets generous leg room.But you can't help feeling it lacks that connection between driver and environment.You tend to sit very high on top of the seat, rather than in it, and the dash feels separate instead of moulding around you. But it is a cute and peculiar type of styling both inside and out.While 52kW isn't a impressive figure, it is only a small engine and it feels as though it has enough power for its role as an urban driver. The lightweight car gets around town with enough “oomph” through the five-speed automated manual transmission. This means there's no clutch, but you still control the gears through the gearstick or the paddles on the steering wheel.You can be lazy when it comes to changing down, as the gearbox does this on its own. Up hills it did take its time to drop back a gear and you sometimes had to interrupt in order to get it over the ascent. The semi-manual transmission has been improved. Changing up a gear doesn't leave you looking like a learner driver — rather its a smoother, more fluid shift.But if changing gears just isn't for you, there's also the softouch automatic option, adding $2000 to the price. Top speed is 145km/h and despite its size, you do feel safe knowing it has achieved a four-star Euro NCAP rating and comes standard with four airbags.It's great around town and very easy to park, but the ride comfort isn't the best as the suspension doesn't seem to absorb much at all.The Fortwo gets a tick of approval for fitting stability control as a standard feature, something rare in this segment. Power steering didn't make the list but Smart says customer feedback suggested the steering was light enough. While that's true at faster speeds, you really notice its absence in car parks or tight turns.We also had the chance to give the 62kW turbo model a quick spin. This model would be the pick of the two, giving that extra performance and a more spirited drive. At just a $90 increase over the outgoing model, the Fortwo does offer a unique and special car under the $20,000 mark.But for less you could get the Mazda2 or Volkswagen's Polo, offering the added benefit of extra seats, bigger engine and marginally higher fuel consumption. So to make the Smart choice, you have to really be a fan.Is Smart relevant for Australia?