Smart Car: How Smart Is It?

That's a nice invention for office commuting. Wonder how much it costs though.

Shilpa Amladi
http://www.a2xconsulting.com/events.html

Not very smart, it seems. I remember thinking when it was released that the mileage figure was underwhelming, considering the design sacrifices they made in the name of lighter weight and smaller size, which should have helped the fuel efficiency. 32 MPG is easily achievable in any number of small cars that are much more versatile than the Smart.

Like the first Honda Civic back in the 70's the Smart is the first part of a conversation about moving away from larger gas guzzlers to smaller, more practical vehicles. While the Smart ForTwo may not be well suited for LA's 'you have to have a car to get anywhere' culture and layout, it is gaining in popularity up here in Seattle.

Sounds horrible. My 2000 Civic will get 31 mpg under normal driving conditions and 37 mpg if I'm really gentle with it. And it can cruise at 85 mph on the highway just fine.

I was really shocked at those reviews, maybe these guys have been spoiled. The car has been around canada for a few years and everyone I know who has one has loved it, and they all own the smaller, lower powered diesels. I am no auto reviewer but I found it fun to drive and if my miata dies I would buy one in an instant.

I had my eyes on buying one of these cars for a long time. On very small occasions I have ever needed to drive a bigger car than this size. Even the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris are more car than necessary for most all errands. I am not talking cross country here. The further I reviewed them, test drove, and patiently waited availability in the USA I also got further disappointed with the performance, fuel consumption, and handling.

I am amazed at the ability of car manufacturers, and consumer to "get it". It is too bad this car will most likely not make it. I do hope we will "get" something actually needed, oneday???

Not smart at all. If you're considering a Smart, why not just get an electric bicycle? The acceleration and safety features are about the same, and you'll still have $15k in the bank.

"...one question that potential buyers in this part of the world should be asking is, what’s the point?"

I wonder that about EVERY car available in the USA.

Smart ruined the errh, smart by going to gas for the US version.
up until a few years ago you could buy a diesel
version here in canada that actually did get 80mpg.

So they've taken a small fairly boring city car
and ruined it by giving it a gas engine.

This car seems like a fish out of water in LA. Perhaps somewhere you can drive under 80 mph on a regular basis would be a better fit.

My girlfriend was required to get a car for her work. I know, I know, totally old school. She chose the smart and has had very few regrets. The smart is different to drive, but then again, it is different to park. We have done road trips and bought stuff off craigslist; the smart has been great. And the best part of it is the in-your-face conversation starter that such a tiny car is in our culture. I am dying for her next work car to be electric, and then finally, for no car at all.

Just a nitpick: the photo is of the previous-generation Smart Fortwo.

Obviously it's not meant to corner like a Porsche, however I think that there is some disconnect in the way they allow it to be advertised - for example, the chase scene in the movie The DaVinci code, which shows the ForTwo outrunning the cops, making turns and handling well.

As more people in America will have seen that movie, or been to Europe and seen the way that they drive (especially in Italy), to have a review like this makes you question whether or not we're getting the same quality of car that the Europeans are getting - after all, from what I saw in France and Italy, they go just as fast (if not faster), they corner like crazy, they bump each other and keep driving on, and yet everything you read from Europeans who have the car is praise for the way it drives and the quality of car it is. In fact, they have forums out there just for people who want to buy used Smart cars (both ForTwo and ForFour alike). Now, obviously, the mileage wouldn't be as much of a problem in Europe, what with their countries being as small as some of our states and the fact that public transportations is LIGHT YEARS ahead of what little infrastructure America has, however European car manufacturers have had ample time to come up with a way to make it BETTER than American cars (and to steal away any competition they might get here!), and so it is disappointing to read this review.

What is the reason for it's poor fuel economy (given it's size)? When a Honda Fit can beat it on fuel economy, then there has to be a reason the ForTwo can't hold it's own.

That said, I drove a ForFour last year in Australia, and it was not nearly as bad as the reviewer makes it sound. Perhaps the additional size made it more reasonable than the ForTwo, but it felt safe at high speeds to me.

ur doin it wrong

If you go at 45mph and take the acceleration slowly you can easily get 80mpg. Its shaped like a half-brick does anyone really expect it to get great fuel efficiency going at its top speed?

But how "green" is a brand new car? Wouldn't it make more sense to repair and convert existing vehicles for more efficiency? Or simply drive less?

What's the true energy cost of a new vehicle? All of those materials mined and refined and molded and machined and painted and so on...

Unfortunately, the term "green" is somewhat vague these days. Perhaps we should go "brown". As in compost, as in re-using the resources that are already in the flow of material already on the planet.

Brown. It's the new green.

peace

A better choice (when and if it ever arrives) would be the Subaru G4e all-electric vehicle.

You can't just switch cars and expect it to fix everything. A large part of greener driving is in the way you drive, not what you drive. Obviously, doing 80mph on the highway will never be green. If the reviewer drove more conservatively and allowed his habits to adapt to the car (not vise versa), he should see mileage even above the EPA estimate.

My 8-year old compact car is rated 30mpg city (which is most of my driving), and I can squeeze around 38 out of it with some careful driving (don't accelerate up hill, anticipate red lights to minimize braking, speed up gradually instead of flooring it, etc.).

I love the Smart, but its USA release has been hamstrung by overly strict emissions laws that prevented the existing diesel model from reaching the market. The diesel version is a great vehicle that gets 40+ mpg in the real world and was available until last year here in Canada. We're now stuck with the same awkward powerplant as the American models.

Hopefully, they're able to offer a diesel engine again in 2009. In the meantime, it makes more sense to consider a Toyota Yaris.

A dumb bike is better than a Smart Car.

I sold smarts for a living for a year up here in Canada. I can tell you that they were damned fun to drive, and we always chose to drive them whenever we had to run errands. I had a huge grin on every trip.

They are perfectly safe (mercedes engineered) and absolutely fine in blizzard conditions, and are roomy for tall folk.

People that don't like them tend to think all cars should be as quiet and smooth as Cadillacs. Well, duh, that is not smart's competitor.

However, I'm a little irked that they halved the smart's mileage by switching to a gas engine.

Anyone who wants a stylish city/commuter vehicle should consider smart.

People often talk about diesels getting better mileage. It is true, diesel engines generally get better MPG, but that is becaue a gallon of diesel has more energy per gallon as compared to regular gas. And correspondingly, it produces more CO2 per gallon than regular gas (15%). Whether it is ahead or behind in terms of g CO2/mi depends on the specifics of the car.

80Mph ? Speed limit is 65mph. How fast are you really going on LA freeways...50% of the time you are going

If you want ACCELERATION, fast CORNERING, and great CARGO CAPACITY, buy yourself something bigger, but stop talking trash about the Smart, as it hasn't been built for it.

Abundance of parking in Los Angeles? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. My sister in law has ordered a smart car, and I'd consider it if it had better mileage than my prius. The problem with biking in certain parts of Los Angeles is that you are guaranteed to get hit (several of my friends who trained for the AIDS ride did, thank God they were only mildly injured) by all the idiot SUV drivers yapping on their cell phones -- no one looks for pedestrians or bicyclists because there are so few on certain roads, so when you do head out there you really take your life in your own hands. And until this city starts taking public transit seriously (right now it takes about two and a half hours by bus to get from the Valley to certain parts of the West side, which is where most people need to go -- and for some reason no one can get it together to build light rail along the freeway), I think we're going to see a lot of people gritting their teeth and hitting the freeways in smart cars, so let's hope they improve the next generation. Although honestly, I'd rather have decent public transportation!

Abundance of parking in Los Angeles? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. My sister in law has ordered a smart car, and I'd consider it if it had better mileage than my prius. The problem with biking in certain parts of Los Angeles is that you are guaranteed to get hit (several of my friends who trained for the AIDS ride did, thank God they were only mildly injured) by all the idiot SUV drivers yapping on their cell phones -- no one looks for pedestrians or bicyclists because there are so few on certain roads, so when you do head out there you really take your life in your own hands. And until this city starts taking public transit seriously (right now it takes about two and a half hours by bus to get from the Valley to certain parts of the West side, which is where most people need to go -- and for some reason no one can get it together to build light rail along the freeway), I think we're going to see a lot of people gritting their teeth and hitting the freeways in smart cars, so let's hope they improve the next generation. Although honestly, I'd rather have decent public transportation!

I have a new Smart FourTwo and it handles fine. Accelerates fine. The five speed paddle shift takes some getting used to and I occasionally manually downshift for acceleration. It handles like a small car on the interstate at 80 mph, no worse than any other small car. It's actually pretty fun to drive. It's too bad they dropped the diesel for US - my other car is a 1985 diesel mercedes running on biodiesel and I've come to appreciate diesel. Also too bad they don't have a hybrid - I miss the auto engine shutoff/startup of my last car, a 2004 Prius.

2004 Manual Transmission Honda Civic Hybrid: $18,660 brand new off the lot, plus tax, tag & title. 48.8 mpg. 4 doors, 5 passengers.

2008 "Smart car" $14,000 ish brand new off the lot, plust tax, tag & title. 36 mpg. 2 doors, 2 passengers.

Definitely not smart.

Biking to work during bike to work week, however, is very smart. Time for me to pedal homeward.

Considering a prius would get you more MPG AND more car, no contest.

The Smart vehicle is not a smart choice. It's small and barely will get 40 MPG ... a Civic is a larger car, likely much safer and gets just as good mileage. The Smart is cute, but that's it's only real advantage when compared to other vehicles.

I have a deposit down on a Smart right now. I took one for a test drive and it was a blast. Here are my observations:
1) I'm 6'5" and other than having to put my right leg into the car first to get it under the wheel- it fits me just fine...
2) I know 2 people that own these already and they both get over 40mpg in mixed driving...
3) The Prius does get better gas mileage- that's just a fact, but have you driven one of these? Boring!
4) Forgive me for posting this on a website like this, but I'm a little old fashion in the sense that I think a car should be fun to drive. Prius, Civic, Fit- not one of these is fun to drive! They are boring, sluggish, ugly- however practical. I personally will give up 10mpg and drive what is probably the fourth or fifth cleanest car on a US street to be able to have a little fun until we develop something better...

Smart owner here. Four year bus+walker -- had to buy a car for work.

I can pull a u-turn in less than two lanes.
I can always find parking.
I win. City driving is different -- and unfortunate =(

This Smart is way Stoopid.

But I guarantee that the ignorant, Iphone suckling, Steve Jobs worshipping fools will simply die for this. Feeds right into their desperate need for people to "LOOK AT ME!", and their propensity for choosing items based on style over substance/performance.

Rename it the ICar and sell it out the back of those monstrosity Apple stores. Sure way to make million$.

In Germany, the base Smart costs less than $5,000 and gets about 60 mpg; I wanted one badly and couldn't wait for them to come here. For the US they more than doubled the cost and halved the mileage - no longer smart. Our 2000 Honda Insight averages over 60 mpg and, pathetically, is still the highest mileage car in America. If I were going to buy a new car, it would be a Toyota Yaris cheaper, bigger, faster and better mileage than a US-spec Smart.

Gary

I have an original Smart and it gets about 45-54mpg. It handles way better than the American version. The story also forgets to mention that 99% of the car is recyclable, and it has a higher safety standard than just about any car on the market. It originally came out in 1998.

Mileage / Safety
My brother's old Datsun B210 and Toyota Tercel got great mileage. The early Civics, the real Minis from the 60s and other 'subcompacts' got great mileage, but at a sacrifice, from today's standards, of 'luxury' and safety... also emissions.
I think it would be a good idea to get the older and lighter cars and rebuild their engines and voila, here's your high mpg vehicle. One of the big problems for this is RUST. Too bad.
Size- the Smarte is a stubby car and can fit almost anywhere, but the aerodynamics are a little tough.
More suited to crowded city driving... now put a hybrid powerplant or electric drivetrain in it and you're in business.
Diesel doesn't have more energy, it is the nature of the engine and combustion that delivers the higher mpg.
vsk

Smart cars are ridicuously overpriced, unsafe, uneconomical, and unfun to drive. They exist solely for the curio factor.

my girlfriend bought a Smart. She absolutely loves the car for its manouverability in tight spaces, ease of parking and minimal size. Its not quick and would have benefitted greatly from the six speed manual available in the UK in my opinion

I personally dislike the automatic transmission, but after driving it for a day I forgot about it.

Her mileage has been around 40 city, which is fantastic compared to our old subaru at 22mpg.

One aspect of this vehicle that I am impressed by is its modular construction. I can remove the composite body panels easily for repair or paint, and as long as it doesn't get crashed into (worried about the car being written off due to impact absorbing drivetrain design) I can swap out the powerplant in a few hours and replace it with a diesel unit if not for the California Restrictions.

the other day we parked in a little space between two driveways and were quit pleased about it.

It gets my vote, but should be 3K dollars less.

I looked at a smart car at the post office the other day. The owner says he is only getting 32 mpg. My wife has a 99 corolla automatic with 140,000, that runs like new and gets 40 mpg on the highway. We are now driving as little as possible, and think more people should car pool. Oil is a supply and demand market,and they need to be taught a lesson. There are too many people driving around in empty cars. People better wise up soon. We are looking at $8.50 a gallon gasoline like Europe in the near future, and congress only had 35 years to fix the problem. We need a big change in our big business controlled government! It's time for a major tuneup in November. Everybody that is in should go out! What have they done for us?

The 1996 Honda civic I own : low 30s city driving, close to 40 mpg highway
2008 Honda Civic : 23/30

What is wrong with this picture? Oh right, that's the ~10 mpg LOSS over a decade in a small, supposed to be efficient car.

At least the Honda Fit gets something like 31/38, making it comparable to my old Civic.

Even worse, 2008 Civic available in UK/Europe : 50 mpg highway. FIFTY, that is with a non-hybrid, standard gas engine.

Why can't we get the cars that are available in Europe??

I own one in Seattle, and so far have been getting 50-55 mpg. Looks great, drives great, and while you certainly gather more data about the poor condition of our roads and highways with the short wheel base, I've been nothing but gloriously happy--and so is my wallet by the way. Looks like someone should stick to reporting on the weather and kittnes in trees and leave the test driving to the professionals at Car and Driver. Americans are notoriously lazy when it comes to driving, and if you aren't skilled enough or patient enough to figure out the transmission on the smart car and can't figure out why the F1-style paddles aren't changing the radio station, by all means by a Toyota instead and save us all the grief.

I drove one and all eco concerns aside, it was a terrible little car. The transmission was easily the worse I've ever encountered. Handling left much to be desired. The only thing it has going for it is that it attracts a lot of attention which is great for people who feel the need for that sort of thing. Whoever said these things are fun to drive doesn't know what they're talking about. You want a fun to drive small car get yourself a Miata or Mini Cooper.

Ideally, we'd all be using bicycles and public transit. While that works for some people you're an idiot to think that will work for everyone. For people who do have a legitimate need for a car you're much better off with a Pious....I mean Prius. Even a Honda Fit is better than the Smart. Only place I can see this car having a serious advantage is in congested cities where street parking is scarce such as San Francisco. Problem here is that in those cities you can just as easily get around on public transit, bike, cab or walk which makes the whole parking advantage a moot point.

If they introduced a diesel or hybrid version things would be very different but it looks like that's not happening anytime soon here in the states.

Yes, there are slight differences in energy/gallon between gasoline and diesel fuel, but the main difference in mileage is from the difference in the way the fuel is burned- standard thermodynamics.
The diesel cycle simply has a higher maximum theoretical efficiency than the Otto cycle (used for regular gas), and moreover diesel efficiency can be raised by using higher compression ratios (if the materials can handle it). Fact is that for regular gas, engines are designed primarily to maximize power output, with efficiency as a secondary concern.

Gary said it best. The original Smart is a brilliant car. That they screwed it up when they imported it to the US depresses me.

That reminds me - I have to go cash the refund on my Smart deposit. I'll put it toward the Smart I'll buy in Germany, that actually will work the way it was designed.

I'm not so sure I understand what is going on these days. Why do we need hybrid cars that get 60 MPG when in 1991 (17 years ago) Honda made the CRX - HF and it got 49 MPG city and 52 MPG highway? It was just a 2 seater, gasoline engine with no fancy hybrid technology. It also had more cargo space than the Smart and was a lot of fun to drive. Why is Smart's gasoline engine so inefficient? One would think after 17 years, we could have a simple gasoline engine that gets over 100 MPG! Does anyone remember the Ford Festiva? It was actually a Korean made Kia Pride back in 1988. I had the Ford version and it got at least 45 MPG on the highway. It was similar to the Smart design (wedge) but had room for 4 and a lot of leg room. I think the high price of gasoline will ultimately force the auto makers to come back with these cars because of demand so I can't wait for that. I also can't wait for eeStor to finish their ultra cap and get it into a Zenn car.

I was originally going to get a smart car, but then I can get much better mileage in a prius. I literally did the match.

Gas price: 3.61-4.20/gal. Generally, 20 cents cheaper for regular.

Prius: 48/45 = 46 avg
smart: 33/41 = 37 avg

20 miles each way to drive to work. Say I drive 40 miles each weekend day (that's higher than what it probably is).

40 miles * 365 days = 14600 miles / year

Cost in Prius: 14600 miles / 46 mpg = 317.4 gallons * $3.61 = $1145.78 / year

Cost in smart: 14600 miles / 37 mpg = 394.6 gallons * $3.61 = $1424.48 / year

The smart cost $278.70 more per year to run than the prius.
The prius: $21,100 base, $24,000 (with options i wanted)
The smart: $13,590 + 850 (comfort package, etc) = $14,440

Prius costs nearly $10k more. Saves $1635.57/year in gas compared to my current subaru. It could pay off the additional cost in 4-6 years.

I personally own a smart car and the mileage ratings they are giving are for the new US versions. I had a European Smart imported and I regualrly get 50+ miles per gallon and have no problems with the shifting as long as I drive it in Standard mode and I drive on Texas highways every day to get to work with no problems.

Really, really interesting that the Yaris may beat the SmartCar for fuel efficiency. I've been seeing/reading alot of info about hybrids being not as desirable as they are deemed to be.

More research is needed, but it certainly makes me pause on which option to pursue next.

compare.

my 2006 scion xb with about $2,000 in add on mods to the intake, exhaust & suspention gets about 36 mpg in town & 32 on interstate.

i can carry four passengers in comfort or let down rear seats & carry two with tons of storage space.

i can easily go up to 85 mph with very brisk acceleration. the car handles very well & above all it has toyota quality.

smart is not very smart after all.

You mention the Toyota Yaris as an alternative for the Smart, but there's even a more economic alternative from Toyota: the Aygo.

The Toyota Aygo (or Peugeot 106 or Citroën C1) is getting pretty popular here in the Netherlands. It's supposed to have a fuel consumption of 4.7 l / 100 km.

If you want to save gas, drive the speed limit! Driving 80 is not going to get 32 mpg in almost any car. Even the "greenest" people seem to have problems slowing down.

I rented a Smart Car for three weeks in Spain a few of years ago, and I have been waiting for them to become available where I live. I was very pleased with the car. I was surprised by the spaciousness of the driver's area.
True, storage is limited, but my extra-large suitcase fit in the hatch just fine. I drove from Malaga to Motril along the coastal road, and had no problem with acceleration or handling. The car kept up with highway traffic nicely. I drove the car every day, and put four euros worth of gas in it for the return trip to the airport.
I drive an Acura 3.5RL, and I would be happy trading it for a Smart Car when they reach my area. It was a great driving experience. I'm ready to give up my large car for a fun, nimble, gas-sipper.

I own a mercedes 550, Porsche carerra2, both new and a SMART CABRIO. Since I bought the SMART, the other cars are in the garage, I have to fight with my wife to let me drive it to work and I average 38 mi gallon !! It fits more luggage in the back than my Mercedes with the top down!! You have to be DUMB NOT TO GO SMART !!!

According to their website... here in the US the Smart Car requires premium gasoline. Better to go with a Yaris or Fit if your concern is paying $$$ when you fill up.

"If you want to save gas, drive the speed limit! Driving 80 is not going to get 32 mpg in almost any car. Even the 'greenest' people seem to have problems slowing down."

I own a 2000 Toyota Echo, and going 80mph on the freeway, I've measured between 34-35mpg... if I drop it to 70mph, I get between either 36-37mpg or 37-38mpg (can't remember for sure, been a long time since I took that roadtrip). In the city, driving gently, I've done between 33-34mpg, consistently. Oh, and mine has the four-speed automatic....

---------

I just put down the $99 deposit for a Smart. Having driven small cars like the Ford Festiva I understood right away that this vehicle was not going to have neck snapping acceleration and tons of space. But for what I need, city commuting and some short highway hops, its a great car and who knows what improvements are yet to come when mine comes down the line in 2009?

The smart looks great but the mileage is terrible. Riding a bike is the way to go until some old lady hits you...like what happened to me today. Luckily no broken bones, my bike is ruined and my leg one big bruise, but her insurance should cover that. Ive been nearly creamed multiple times by idiots on cellphones.

Why is it that environmentalists like to whine and complain about absolutely everything? A company spends money to develop market and sell a high mileage city car, then you guys take it out, test drive it like its a sports car and complain about it not living up to expectations? Its a Euro city car thats been dumbed down for the US market by the inclusion of a gas engine. Not the best for sure, but at least companies are moving in the right direction. You buy it for city grocery getting and I guarantee you'll have a blast using it for that purpose. I've driven the diesel Canadian one and they're great. Shift your expectations people.

If I were going to buy a car that small I would get a cooper s that averages about 35 per gallon and have a good looking car that handles like a cart.

I've been driving the 2008 smart for 6 months in western canada. I use between 5-6 litres per 100 km's which is better mileage then your reporter from LA claims. I found road performance is excellent in windy mountain roads,, no problems accelerating and passind big vehicles and semies. I do frequent trips thorugh the Rockies and feel safe and stable in the smart. Also it shows great performance in the snow, i am very appreciative of the heated seats and mirrors. The seats are very comfortable and sporty driving is guaranteed. I think it is a fabulous "little" car, performing more like a midsize car!

I've owned my Smart in Upstate, NY since February. I use only premium fuel and I get a minimum 38mpg in the city and 50 on the highway. And while I do agree with some of the comments that were made about it in the article (it's true... if you're planning on shifting out of first gear at any point, you should add 15 minutes to your trip), I think we have to first look at what we need a car to be "smart" about.

First, did you know that the Smart is entirely recyclable AND made largely of recycled materials? And their factory is one of the most environmentally friendly assembly plants in the world. So, I think that's Smart.

Second, the headroom in this car rivals that of my LandRover (yes, I'm embarrassed, I own one of those awful things). The design of Smart sits you up higher, and back further, than any other car in any similar class. No more "ducking" and wedging yourself in behind the wheel, only to bump your head and twist your ankle. You simply open the door and sit down as if you're at your dining room table. This is a great feature if you're a) over 40 with a back problem or b) have big hair. So, I think that's Smart.

Third, the view from the front seat out into traffic reminds me of a ski lift. You can't see the engine hood at all, and the windshield is the size of (and similar shape to) Jack Nicholson's forehead, so you get a fantastic panorama for your driving experience. Which makes driving the Smart much safer (reminder: crash tests are only good if you crash... the Smart is designed to KEEP you from crashing). So, I think that's Smart.

Fourth, when it's snowing, I can clear the entire car by sneezing once. So, I think that's Smart.

Fifth, it's the happiest looking car on the road. And in this day and age, spreading a little cheer is good for everyone. Automobile design has taken a wrong turn in the preceding years; we've come to value aggressive, intimidating looks as the mark of a beautiful car. Hey, I like a BMW as much as anyone, but have you ever noticed how pissed off you feel after seeing one? How many acts of road rage have occurred simply because a 5-series got up in your grill at the light? Since owning my Smart, I've experienced nothing but politeness and good will on the road. People never cut me off, they show concern for my safety, smile and wave as I drive by... I even had a guy give me his space in a parking lot. So, I think that's Smart.

Lastly, it's true the Smart is limited in what in can carry. Which means it limits you in what you can spend. Although, I just brought home 5 hydrangea plants and six bags of groceries in one trip yesterday afternoon. But I am much less free to make impulse purchases now. No more "gee, I think I really NEED that floor model PB Wingback Chair... just throw it in the Rover". No more volunteering to take the stray dogs to the shelter because I'm the only one who has room. No more being the designated driver because I can fit both the bodies AND the luggage needed for the trip. Nope. Now it's just me. And my Smart. Me, my Smart and a latte. Me, my Smart and a simple bag of groceries. Me, my Smart, and the much cheaper twill PB chair cover I opted for instead of a whole chair (which I no longer need anyway since my Smart is so comfortable to sit in). So, I think that's Smart.

I could list many more things I think are smart about the Smart, but I think I'd rather go drive it up to Starbucks for my afternoon iced latte instead. Which I can now afford to do multiple times a day since I've parked my gasbag Rover and opted for a lighter, Smarter, friendlier lifestyle.

Happy Travels, everyone. Beep, beep!

I bought a Pure Smart car and have had it about 6 weeks. I got 46 MPG on my last tank. Mostly driving on two lane country roads. I am very happy with the car so far.

It's smarter to buy a Honda Fit. See latest issue of Consumer Reports (July 08).

Better yet wait a few months for a Jetta TDI which will average 50 mpg in mixed driving and reportedly 60 mpg highway. The Jetta is roomier (no battieries) and get better MPG than a Prius too.

To accurately calculate the treehuggabilityof the Smartfortwo you have to keep in mind that it isn't all about MPG. The Smart is completely recyclable, uses flax instead of some plastics, the small engine has very low emissions, and the design is compact to say the least (imagine the acres of parking lots we could transform into parks if we all went Smart). It is not a luxury car and doesn't pretend to be one much less drive like one. I live in SoCal and I see most cars, large and small, occupied by one person so, storage, room for others etc is not exactly a point I feel merits much conversation. Although, If you plan on joining a carpool or need justification to buy a bigger car they sure are valid and the Smart isn't for you! As far, MPG I enjoy 325-340 miles per my 8 gallon tank and that certainly adds to the Smart's appeal.

I'm not sure where in LA the author is talking about, but parking in West Hollywood, Hollywood, and even parts of K-Town (all parts of town I frequent) is anything but "open with ample parking". I have to circle the block at times just to park my van.

I agree with the assessment that the Yaris is a much better value proposition, but it's good to see "non-mainstream" alternatives such as this. I'd pick one up over an H3, that's for sure.

I happen to agree with Katharina (above). There is a lot that is indeed Smart about the Smart Car.

I own a 2008 Smart ForTwo and plan to pick up a second one next week for my wife.

Now, it may not be for everyone. We all have different needs. Though I have been amazed to find that 99% of the time, I am purely driving my butt from point A to point B and the Smart is perfect for that. But if you can only have one car, this may not be it (unless you have friends with big cars)

I get 38 to 45 mpg...generally around 40 on my daily commute. I like the ease of entry and egress. I like sitting up high in the car. And yes, I like waving and smiling to everyone who gives me the thumbs up and talking to everyone who wants to discuss the car everywhere I go.

Though the transmission is quirky, I have found that I can use the automatic mode pretty much all the time. (though manual is more fun...love those paddle shifters)

The ride is a bit stiff and I do feel the bumps. Wind can be an issue, but I have never felt unsafe...it is very sure-footed.

Overall, my wife and I like it well enough to buy a second and to use them as our primary vehicles. If we need to take more people or tow something, we have a larger car for that.

Its fun, cute and economical.

Odd that so many of those commenting do not, in fact, own a smart car. I do -- and it's proven to be the best 17 grand we've ever spent. I'm in love with everything about my smart car EXCEPT the endless attention we get because of it. The complaints asserted by the 2 WEEK TEST DRIVER, while initially somewhat valid, is negated as the driver becomes accustomed to correctly DRIVING the car. I generally drive our smart car in manual while my husband chooses automatic. The manual alleviates the shifting 'lag' the test driver referred to...... Most importantly, people, is that when I fill up my smart car - with high test - every 2 weeks or so, it costs roughly $42-$48! The mileage is awesome and, again, improves, as the driver acclimates to driving the vehicle. I can park ANYWHERE - and I live in NY. I don't get blown off the road on the LIE. And it's significantly LESS EXPENSIVE - even with extended warranty - than any other fuel efficient or hybrid on the road today. In general, not much to dislike, and alot to LOVE. To answer the question regarding cost -- we paid $17,000 for the PASSION (middle style) with an extended warranty... $17,000!!! Also regarding mileage -- post acclimating to driving the car -- we're averaging approx 42-47 miles per gallon!! Enough Said....

It seems to me that the smart car is a gross failure. A car that small with mileages in the low 30's? Really? I own a Pontiac Vibe that gets 36 highway and 28 city and its ALL WHEEL DRIVE! I have a family of five and we all fit nicely into the car.

While I totally applaud efforts to increase fuel economy, I think the Smart Car is a shameful step backwards in the super high fuel economy market.

We need to look back on the Chevy Sprints & Suzuki Swifts of the late 80's. They had room for four people, handled tolerably well, and got 50+ MPG. Ironically, the addition of an Electronic Fuel Injection system in the newer GEO Metro (same car different name), along with a slightly modified body style (more aerodynamic?), dropped the fuel economy to 45MPG. The EFI system brought the car into compliance with new EPA standards for emissions but decreased the fuel economy by up to 8% for a net gain of....what?

Perhaps we should be looking at refurbishing existing vehicles. I wonder how many gallons of fuel have to be saved to offset the environmental impact of producing and later disposing of, say, a Toyota Prius?

I think, perhaps, the image that goes along with a Smart Car is the thing that's selling them. Just being seen in a Smart is like saying "I care about the planet." While being seen in a Geo Metro says, "I drive a cheap car."

Great discussion! :0)

Sadly, the smart car has a gas engine only, because of our backwards EPA. You'd think that an organization that is named "Environmental Protection Agency" would, some day, stop doing everything in it's power to be destructive to the environment...

For the distance traveled, and it's alternative fuel capabilities, the diesel is nearly a full order of magnitude cleaner than the gas engine.

But tell that the the knuckle-draggers at the EPA... They don't even know the difference between a cam shaft and a torsion bar. Just read their 'rules.' Some of it isn't even grammatically sound. They aren't even qualified to be in a conversation about junkyards, much less making rules and enforcing law on Internal Combustion engines.

Here's a simple test. Lock yourself in the garage with a diesel car running. Sure, it stinks. Go head, pull up a seat. Sit there all day. Pop open a few cold ones. You're not dead, are you? Now do that with a gasoline car. 30 minutes pass. You're dead. Diesel exhaust won't kill you. Gasoline will, in very short order too. Hmm... Which one is worse...

I love my smart - It takes longer to accelerate than my infinity SUV, but once it's get going, I'm gone... I often see people turning their noses at it , speeds up n front of me and then they stalls by a truck, because most of people are too intimidated to pass it, and all of sudden there I go, passing everybody...

One thing people are missing is the conversion cost of the material used to make one unit. Fuel economy is only one part of the equation. Small cars take less energy to produce one unit. This also translates to the entire infrastructure to support these vehicles. MPG is always referenced because it hit people in the wallet. The energy saved and a raw material spared often gets overlooked. So is the Smart smart? You have to ask yourself is the extra material and energy used to make other cars worth the reduced MPG of the Smart car. I believe when you factor in the accumulated reduction in energy used to make the larger car then the Smart car may be more attractive.

I read this a few weeks ago and didn't see a way to post a comment. I was laughing so hard I cried! Abundance of parking in Los Angeles? Which Los Angeles are you referring to????? I live in Los Angeles and have to constantly fight for a parking space as my apartment does not come with a space. Many apartments in Los Angeles don't. Most of the time the only spaces available are so small that only a Smart Car will fit in them. This is the next car on my list to purchase. The gas mileage is good and I need it only to commute around the city.

Ah, another misleading article about the SmartCar. Why doesn't anyone ever talk with one of us who own one and drive one daily?

First of all, the comments about travel at 80 mph or more and not cornering like a Porsche show how far off-base the article is. May I remind you that it is not a Porsche? If you want the equivalent of a Porsche, then buy a Porsche!

The SmartCar is excellent at what it was designed for: speeds of 70 mph on typical highways. I love it for that. For anything faster or for extreme handling, I take my Corvette out of the garage.

When the SmartCar was new, I typically averaged 34 to 36 miles per gallon. However, mileage improved as the engine was broken in. Now, at 3,500 miles, I always get at least 44 miles per gallon, occasionally better than that.

I commute 36 miles daily in this car and love it. I usually leave the Corvette in the garage.

I think the Smart Car is a novelty that is holding over people's desire for a great and environmentally friendly vehicle until companies with real designs and real cars come out with their products. For example, look at the Aptera (www.Aptera.com). They are going to get 300 mpg and are going to be way more comfortable and better in just about every way. The only thing the Smart car might have on an Aptera is the price. But, then we all know you get what you pay for....

As stated in the comments above, smarts are a niche car - a car for commuters and about-towners. Which is what most of us use our cars for. Absolutely, it is not convenient for transporting a family of more than 2! But, most of us are solo occupants to their gas guzzling cars (blame on the manufacturers, lobbyists, government officials who's pockets are padded by the oil industry). My little smart averages 38 mpg around town - puddle jumping so to speak. On the highway, it's over 40 mpg. And the car's carbon footprint is less than the Prius and other vehicles on the road. The plant is environmental, as is the car. It rides a little rough, and is not meant for 0-60 in 6 seconds. But the little car can move, as evidenced by the author driving well over posted speed limits. I, too, am a smart owner and have driven on the freeway past semi trucks with no problem, on windy San Francisco days across the Golden Gate Bridge with nary a thought about the wind. The car handles well, as evidenced by surviving near collisions from non-attentive SUV driving teens. In any other car, a crash would have occurred. And, the drivers of smarts that have been in crashes have survived and walked away with minor or no injuries, while the drivers of the other cars (bigger, more American type) have been hospitalized. The smart is designed to keep me alive. It's like driving in a roll cage. So far, so good for those that have been struck. So, the author should try again....and maybe talk to people who actually own one. You'd be surprised how wonderful this little car is!! And, it makes the owners and the others on the road smile - something this society can use a little more of....an added little perk to a great car for those whose lifestyle allows.

my 1986 BMW 325e with its big 6 cylinder, 2.7L, 121hp engine, gets roughly the same mileage, and my car offers performance.

BMW diesels, old and new get better mileage and are competitive with sportier cars. by better mileage I mean 45 mpg, ABOVE EPA estimates.

Note: like with mechanics who say "we wont lie to you" never trust anything that brands itself as "smart"

This car reeks of scam. It's underpowered, gets horrible gas mileage for a vehicle its size and weight, and it would get reamed in an accident. The only thing good about it is its price. For its size, you might as well get one of those GEM's We have those on our campus, they're quiet, and have replaced the golf carts and briggs and stratton powered service carts on campus. VBest of all they're electric.

Those who criticize the Smart Car don't even own one. I own one and it's novel. Cars like these have been around for a long long time in Europe. Most people don't do heavy cross country driving but rather spend a majority of their time in traffic or stopping and going. The car has extremely low emissions, has recyclable parts, even the paint is earth friendly.

The problem with Americans is that they gripe about their men going to war, spending a 1/3 of their income on fuel (that offers little to no ROI), and want big, fast cars which in most cases get you to a stop light faster.

I also own a 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma 07 and it gets 24 mpg. It's great for cross country travel, snowboarding, beach, dogs - which the smart can't do - but I do not use the car as much as the smart which - if you haven't noticed - is designed for in town commutes.

It's practical. We had the electric car EV by GM 10 years ago but noone even took notice! That was double the size, even MORE earth friendly, but consumers and their arrogance were too busy being conned to buy hummers, escalades, and any other bling ride - which, if you follow foreclosure and business closure trends, the owners of these homes also owned these types of vehicles.

The smart car is smart - it's not totally perfect in the American sense, but it makes sense nonetheless and goes into a better direction for the earth than NO DIRECTION AT ALL.

I own a Smart Car and absolutely love it. I get mid 40's on the highway, high 30's in the city. I have driven it on a 1000 mile trip on interstates with no problem - in fact it purrs like a sewing machine on the open road. My gas costs reflect the energy needed to move me around, not tons of metal as is the case with most other cars. It is manufactured with green techniques, and it's part are recyclable. I keep a folding bike and an inflatable kayak in the back so I can participate in green leisure and exercise activities at a moment's notice. The criticism of the car on this site is absurd, using a frame of reference that is rooted in gearhead culture of the past, not the necessary reference of current reality. The Smart Car gets me from point A to point B efficiently, cheaply, and in style. It is a blast to drive and gives me an experience no other car I have ever owned does by surrounding me with smiles. People alway look at it and giggle, a mental state the world needs more of. Driving in a Smart Car is to spend your day encountering people grinning from ear to ear. Lovely way to spend the day.

i have a 98 toyota celica. i get better mileage.

Now cmon' folks we are talking about comparing Apples and Oranges when people comapre the Smart car to a Toyota Prius or whatever. The technoligy is far different in a hybrid than a gas powered engine like the Smart, and do bear in mind that the majority of materials are made from recycled materials and the paint is recyled . Look up Smartusa.com and take a look at the facts on that one.
Now let me tell you what i am getting as far as gas mileage goes. I average 38 in the city and thus far have gotten the epa of 41 on the highway hence a trip to WV and back to Dc. I personallly love that car, and enjoy every trip i take in it. Now yes, the tranny doe's take getting used to, however, once you do, it is not all that horrifffic. My last car BTW was a Chevrolet Malibu, and that thing was a beast. The happiest day was when i got my Smart and said syrannata to the Chevy, which BTW got 21 to the gallon at best, and not very freindly to the wallet or the eco system.

The smart car sounds a little on the slow side. The gas mileage isn't as good as i thought it would be.

OK, I read through most of these comments and here is mine for those interested. ...

I own a Smart ForTwo Passion. I have about 16,000 miles on it and can comfortably state, having driven it daily (184 miles per day round trip) that the car averages 41 MPG. I drive a major highway in Texas and travel about 70 MPH. The terrain is hills and some city driving.

When I first got the car I only got 39 MPG and the shifting was very stiff. Around 10,000 miles the shifting loosens up and the MPG increases. So, if you drive one that has low mileage, you may experience rough shifts. Remember, this isn't a car designed to perform like a sports car. It is a daily commuter car designed for city driving. If you want performance, switch to manual and use the paddle shifters. It has spunk! And it is fun to drive, easy to park and you can fill the tank for $15. That will get you 320 miles down the road.

I just purchased a smart Fortwo and it has been the best purchase I have made in... probably all my life. I feel great about it because I know I am not driving more car than what I really need. Should the need arrise to carry more people or things (which is rare) I can rent a car. Not a big deal.
In the mean time - I am driving a fun little car that feels much bigger than it is once behind the wheel that I can keep up with traffic in, even doing 75+. and know my carbon footprint is much smaller than just about any car on the road. In a few years I might even look at thier electic option... I wanted to avoid a battery as in many cases these batteries are just as bad as CO2... For now, I feel this was a very smart choice. I love it and encourage anyone to take a test drive. It's perfect for someone that commutes and wants to use less and have less impact.
You have to look at the big picture - less car equals less waste, bottom line. This works well for me.

If you want a Smart car that corners excellently, has good acceleration and still has good MPG, then come over to Europe and pick up a Smart Roadster. Even better, petition Smart to start making them again.

http://www.roadstermodelguide.co.uk/Roadsters/Model_Guide.html

its just a vehicle
i think its a great idea

So far i'm getting 40-45 mpg in the city, granted we JUST got the smart and used 2 gallons of gas. So we will see what happens in a few months when it is broken in. We are driving in the stop and start traffic, snow & hills of Pittsburgh.
I've ridden on Motorcycles that get worse MPG. With the new EPS safety features it can outperform many cars in the snow.. I actually felt safe while driving up very slippery hills.
As for the transmission, you can use the automatic or you can shift yourself, it is very easy to do.
Also it fits nicely in my very small garage with our scooters, our previous car we couldn't put in the garage. Over all, I think it is a great car for the city and perhaps shorter trips. The suspension is stiff, you certainly feel the road. You either like it or don't...the more I use it, the more I like it. Of course, we are small people and we don't need to carry stuff all over the place. I gotta say, it sounds like the writer of the article had a predisposition to NOT like the car. We have heated leather seats, (very nice) Stereo/CD you can hook your ipod up to it..

When we first purchased the car my husband and I were wondering "what did we just do".. but we are enjoying it more and more. It is a cheap car.. it starts out at around $12,000... but it works for us. We replaced a 1999 Jetta that gets 19 mpg (in town).. and has a really bad emissions score. The last time someone rode in the back of the Jetta was 2 years ago! We basically were useing it to haul 1 or 2 of us to & fro from work. That is it.

So you have to consider how you use a car, and what your priorities are. My priorities were MPG and emissions and affordability. If I need to haul something, or we have company, or if we decide to take a road trip with lots of luggage, we will probably rent a car.

very cute car..i love it..!!

well the smart car thats here in america is more safe than the one in europe, do to safety laws. anyway i have driven a smart for six months and i had no problems with it. i even drove this car through the angeles forrest mountains and had no problems with hard an sharp turns, now if your nervous of small cars then this is not the car for you, as far as gas mileage i was punching it everywhere and i got 32 mpg, now driving regular lilttle faster than the flow of traffic, i got 45 to 50 mpg, i don't know which model you have, but i had the bottom maybe thats why, me and my friends all had different models and i got the best, and the top of the line got the worst. I do know that they can all handle turns very well, seem scary at first, once your used to it feel o.k., and it can handle a real impact because of the reinforced high impact steel frame, i would trust this car with my life, if anyone get a chance look up how safe the car is, because it is as safe as any well built car on he road no joke, please research before you bash.

The Smart is so DUMB!

When gas hit $4/gal, I sold my SUV, I went out, found a nicely used 1995 Saturn SL1 (reliable, low maintenance, super cheap). I spent $2400, for a 5spd, 4 door (I have to kids to haul around), with 70k miles on it.

Since then, I average 32 city, 38 hwy. The insurance is super low, the car is more reliable than my Accord (our other car) and it hauls our family of 4 around town in reasonable comfort.

CAR MAKERS - GET THIS PLEASE!!! We want a car that delivers good fuel economy, is reasonably room and has a few important features - heated seats (not necessarily leather - but heated) a good stereo, strong air-conditioning, and a few airbags. It doesn't need 300 horsepower or a seat massager or even an electric motor in addition to the IC motor. Just a small... comfortable, 4 person car. Lightweight, simple, and prices new around $12-15k.

At that price, we can afford to buy or rent a nice big car for long trips, or trucks for the occasional home renovation project, and all other times drive our little butts around in our comfortable, little cars.

I have two daughters I need to drive around. I would love this car but how is it practical for an average family that is moving three or four people. It just doesn't work out for most people. Sorry, If I could afford it I would definitely have this as an extra car to go to work in but these days, that just is not the option.