Picture Gallery: 2009 smart fortwo | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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It does have A/C, though, so at least I am not having to sit, waiting, for the windows to defog for hours in the rain. Other standard features of the “pure” make up a very short list. Keyless entry, power windows, ABS braking with electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control and an AM/FM/CD player with two speakers are about the only items I would consider features on the “standard features” list. The rest include things like a roof, heated rear window, seats, etc., all things you pretty much expect in a car.
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But that’s okay; there’s nothing wrong with basic transportation. My tester does have a few “options,” like a tachometer and clock pod on the dash, which were added as a $160 option, and $55 all-weather floor mats round out the goodies. Standard is a 70hp three cylinder engine, replacing the previous 45hp diesel, a switch made as an appeal to buyers in the diesel-hating US of A. The fortwo uses a five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode to transfer power to the rear wheels. The entire drivetrain setup fits in the “trunk” area just over the rear wheels, so it’s quite the engineering marvel, really.
Rated at 5.9L/100km city and 4.8L/100km highway, I hope to achieve somewhere around the average of these two numbers (5.4L/100km), a figure that would make this the second most fuel-efficient vehicle I have ever tested besides the Honda Insight, which achieved 5.2L/100km over the course of the week. I hope the smart does better, because if not, I really do question the purpose of this car, given some of the compromises that must be made to drive it — the most notable being only having two seats.
2009 smart fortwo
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $15,205
For more information on smart and the fortwo visit smart Canada
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When I picked up my tester from the dealership, the sales manager was telling me how sales have dropped in half for him since the government eliminated its rebates for fuel-efficient vehicles. He said he sold about ten a month before, then the government dropped the rebates and the sales dropped to five a month. Sales numbers indicated, year over year, a sales drop of 39 per cent, so I guess his numbers were not too far off the norm.
We can’t forget that car sales in general are down quite a bit this year so it doesn’t come as a huge surprise to me that smart sales have been affected. Perhaps the novelty of this car has worn off as well; there certainly can’t be as many people buying it for the novelty factor like they did when they first came out.
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Basic is basic: there is a little cubby to the left of the steering wheel, and reaching into the “trunk” is easy enough since the car is small. The surprising find for me was the bin inside the tailgate that creates a nice storage area that I previously didn’t realize existed; there is enough space inside for some groceries. Head room is great; tall drivers should not have to worry about looking like a clown crawling out of a little car.
The one thing I realized with the smart’s diminutive size is that it isn’t really much narrower than a typical car, and the doors are huge, so although you may squeeze into that small parking spot you may not be able to get out once you try to swing those gigantic doors open.
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I am surprised by the pep the smart has to offer. I remember driving the older diesel version and it was brutally slow, where accelerating at anything over 80km/h seemed to take an eternity. The new gas-powered smart seems capable enough to accelerate with traffic, and if I am being honest, there have been many times where I have been behind someone, yelling “hurry up!” when merging onto the highway.
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Like every automobile journalist before me, and perhaps every one to come after me, I am going to say that the transmission is the most horrid contraption on the market. It takes a count to one to complete a shift, and that is an eternity. It feels like you are driving in a car with someone learning how to use a manual transmission. Letting off the accelerator when it shifts or when shifting manually seems to help, but I think it is more of a perception than anything else, as it still takes a second for the shift to occur.
The new fortwo is quieter than the diesel version as well; although road noise is still there, the engine noise is greatly reduced. The suspension is stiff but not overly so, although I tend to be more forgiving in this regard. It is stiff like a sports car, but this is no sports car. Handling is… well, okay. Just like most people don’t accelerate to merge with any urgency, the average commuter does not drive anywhere near ten-tenths of a car’s abilities, and for this type of driving, the smart car seems to handle fine. It is difficult to tell if it understeers, as the steering simply gets firmer when you turn the wheel more. As a result, it feels like it is understeering when in reality you just need to muscle your way through the turn.
Of course, visibility is great. I attempted to adjust my mirrors to remove blind spots and was disappointed that the mirror didn’t go very far, until I realized there is no blind spot since the car ends two feet behind my head! Am I having “fun” driving the smart? I don’t think so, but I’m surviving and it does a reasonable job of getting me to the office and back. It doesn’t do it any better than any other car though, but does it do it any worse? Well, besides having the most annoying transmission in the world, I can’t say it really does.
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Some don’t think the smart concept works in North America while others like the idea of the smart. Either way, it’s an interesting concept. For me though, I’d pick up a $10,000 Hyundai Accent with its better ride, better handling and a more quiet and comfortable interior. Its fuel consumption might not be as low, but don’t forget that the smart takes premium fuel. Servicing on the smart is a little unique, too, and may require taking the car to a Mercedes dealership. I’m sure they treat all their customers great, but how much will the bill be?
I expected more of a “cult” atmosphere driving the smart, but not once was I waved at by a fellow smart driver (and there have been many other cars that prompted owners to salute me while driving by). Everyone who asked me about the car seemed interested in hearing about it or said, “I always wanted to try one,” but none of them ever followed through once they heard the price. Only time will tell if sales will pick back up and if smart is going to catch on in the US and create demand for perhaps an even better version.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 smart fortwo
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $15,205
For more information on smart and the fortwo visit smart Canada
to our site.
November 17, 2009, 12:58:37 am "It just seems like not many people "get it" in terms of what the car offers."
What's to get? It is small, cramped, expensive and not particularily utilitarian (a stripper Civic gets as good fuel economy with more room inside and more cargo space). Only use for a "smart" is parking in ultra-tight places in large cities. Around here, they are mostly driven by people trying to make a statement about how "green" they are. And the City has a couple for the same reason.
November 17, 2009, 09:18:28 am The original idea was not only small space usage, but outstanding fuel economy. The gas version is not stunning on the economy front, and the diesel wasn't close to the hoped 3L/100km.
I recall the original concept was also supposed to be very low priced. Not sure how the Smart is priced in Europe, but it's surprisingly expensive here.
November 17, 2009, 11:01:19 am
What's to get? It is small, cramped, expensive and not particularily utilitarian (a stripper Civic gets as good fuel economy with more room inside and more cargo space). Only use for a "smart" is parking in ultra-tight places in large cities. Around here, they are mostly driven by people trying to make a statement about how "green" they are. And the City has a couple for the same reason.
and
I recall the original concept was also supposed to be very low priced. Not sure how the Smart is priced in Europe, but it's surprisingly expensive here.
Hence my renaming it the "Stupid" Car.
November 17, 2009, 11:29:27 am
I recall the original concept was also supposed to be very low priced. Not sure how the Smart is priced in Europe, but it's surprisingly expensive here.
For this half-of-a-car to succeed, it has to be priced at least ~60% of the cost of it's most 'direct traditional competition' would be.
Being priced at the same point of a car with similar economy but twice the utility is DEATH, aka Accent, Elantra, Fit, etc etc etc makes the car irrelevant.
The Smart is a $9,999 vehicle that should be sold no-haggle a la Saturn.
November 17, 2009, 11:52:52 am Yet you can get an accent for $9,999 and 0% (sometimes
November 17, 2009, 12:02:02 pm Out east this summer the big selling $9999 car was the Accent 3 door...in fact the most noticed car of any type in it's various versions. The Smart can not match the utility here or the price or the comfort and can only match the reliability...if it does. In fact in 6 weeks on the road in Quebec and Nova Scotia I can not remember seeing a single Smart. This is a little urban and city runabout and trying for more than that is stretching the envelope a bit. Personally, I would rather have one of the two seat tiny trucks that we have seen...a neat little vehicle to have around and very versatile for carrying modest loads. Only saw right hand drive though but with various beds. With one of these you can go to the library or grocery store or pick up a decent sized package at Sears. They must get as good gas ecconomy as a Smart. Maybe Smart should branch into this mode.
November 17, 2009, 12:17:56 pm
Those two seat tiny trucks are imported from Japan 15+ years old Kei type vehicles. If you really want one then
http://www.kei-cars.com/ is the local place. I have seen several trucks and tiny minivans around here including a Subaru which might have even been AWD.
November 17, 2009, 12:19:44 pm
No thanks, I don't want to die!!!!
November 17, 2009, 01:47:04 pm
True.....but that is 'recently' discounted and a 5 speed no air no radio I think. Used to be called the 'delivery boy special' once upon a time.
Equip the Smart for mass production, two versions max (hard top $9,999 and convertible $11,999, radio and the CVT included) which better equip it against the Accent and at least you have better features for the price. A/C for another $1,000.
This car should be a 'top or no top' and 'will that be in black, white, silver or red' order form. I'd consider buying one for $10,000.
November 17, 2009, 02:13:42 pm
True.....but that is 'recently' discounted and a 5 speed no air no radio I think. Used to be called the 'delivery boy special' once upon a time.
Equip the Smart for mass production, two versions max (hard top $9,999 and convertible $11,999, radio and the CVT included) which better equip it against the Accent and at least you have better features for the price. A/C for another $1,000.
This car should be a 'top or no top' and 'will that be in black, white, silver or red' order form. I'd consider buying one for $10,000.
The Smart is likley too expensive to compete in the 9999 catagory. Too expensive to build import etc. It also REQUIRES expensive things like staggered tire sizes and stability control becuase it would be unsafe at high speeds without them. SO they market it as a boutique vehicle. Sell it in a Merc showroom where they have customers with lots of $ who don't shop for value.
Like I've said the car is just a bad fit for the NA market. There are people who will buy it obviously. Not many but some. People argue that its simply housed in with Mec dealers so no big deal. BUT there is a cost to Marketing, overhead, stocking parts, training service certifying the cars etc etc. At present sales rates in the US they can't be generating more than say 15-20 M based on vehicle profits and that's before overhead is taken out.
November 17, 2009, 04:30:57 pm Yes, those are the tiny pick-up trucks that I saw only right hand drive though...not meant for here obviously. They probably will not pass some reg or other and as stated the chances of death by head on boink would seem to be pretty high. No more than falling off a motorcycle though or maybe even a Smart head on. Anyway my point was that if you are going to have a small footprint run-about for local use...then why not make it a vehicle that is usefull for more than carrying a couple of bodies. With one of these you can go to the library and call in at Sears on the way home and pick up a new 52inch TV or a piece of furniture or go to Ikea and get loads of stuff. Only the library books would fit in the Smart probably.
People do use Smarts on the main highways and some on long trips but I don't think that most folk would prefer to do so. Long trips would be tiring I think. So if these vehicles are urban errand runners and about town transport then why not expand the capabilities. The little trucks are not any bigger than a Smart cer...or not much so anyway. I had no idea that other vehicles use the same drive train...it seems that there is a world of vehicles out there that we have no access to.
I saw these trucks in a farming community in Saskatchewan. They seemed so small and I thought that there was no way that these would stand up to a tough farming environment. But in an urban environment it would be quite a different thing. Actually I think that there is a fun content in these little machines and that there is a serious aspect to them also.
November 17, 2009, 05:42:42 pm I'm thinking where those little kei truck come in is an alternative to a Gator or Rhino for hunting, farm work, etc. Those cost upwards of 15 grand, so a road legal machine for 5 seems like a pretty good deal.
November 17, 2009, 06:13:09 pm
Yea, you can get Kei cars here. They have to be at least 15 years old. MY buddy has one. Uses it for bombing around town, picking up parts, etc He has one of those small trucks...Suzuki Carry I think it's called.
http://www.kei-cars.com/
November 18, 2009, 09:36:33 am OK I suppose our safety regs bar these from coming here new but since Smart have a foot in the door then why not develop something along these lines...a little wider track so that softer suspension can be used with more wheel travel...two seats and a carrying deck that could have a nice tarp cover...just for local use. Cut some of the comfort for utility. Maybe a little Kei Camino type. Perhaps full size highway vehicle regs. do not apply here. You do not have airbags and crush zones on motorbikes do you...Just supply a couple of crash hats...er. maybe styrofoam padding for knees under the dash. It would be infinitely better than a leather jacket and a crash helmet and two wheels. Would something like that be too smart.
November 18, 2009, 12:08:58 pm
November 18, 2009, 12:37:05 pm
Car based "pickups" have been tried before and been dismal failures. Brat,VW Rabbit Pickup Subaru Baja.
November 18, 2009, 12:40:18 pm Yes, something like that except the Kei cars are much smaller...not much bigger than a Smart in fact. A bit wider track and lightly built. When I first saw the little truck I could not believe what I was looking at...and yet they have been around for 15 years. Too bad they drive on the left hand side of the road in Japan.
It's a different world now Toolate and none of what you mentioned is in this small van/truck/Smart class.
November 18, 2009, 06:02:09 pm http://www.autoextremist.com/
This week's Autoextremist is on why Smart is failing in the US. Right on the money, imo.
November 18, 2009, 06:32:47 pm Within the past year, the local mall replaced their Chevy Silverado security vehicles with Smarts.
Yesterday at 07:49:13 am ...s"MALL COPS"....
Today at 12:31:07 am Smart vs Honda Fit, a reviewer who gets it:
http://magazine.windingroad.com/issue/52/
Today at 07:35:01 am
http://magazine.windingroad.com/issue/52/
Yeah there are some people like this guy who get it. Its just that there are so few that do have or ever will have that perspective in NA that its beassically irelevant.
Its like saying "That picture looks crooked" You say well if you sit in the thrird row 5th chair over and tilt your head at 18 degrees and squint...well it looks straight".
It takes a pretty warped perspective to change a clunky tranny into a "sports car like involving challange"
If you think about it the comparison is kinda silly. He says -as a fuel efficient urban car for only one or two people where a challanging involving drive tops the list...
1.How big is that market? Tiny
2.For the 17 K that Smart Cabriloet costs you could buy a very nice used Miata that is decently fuel efficient, holds only one or two people and is probably more involving (since it has a great stick shift)
Want something crude, and involving? How about a 10 K Accent with 5 K of bolt on performance parts?
Today at 08:47:04 am This kind of vehicle might well be relevant in any country...with a bit more MPG and carrying capacity, not neccessarily seats and a lower price point. Especially so if the price of gasolene skyrockets. Maybe it should not be considered as a front line vehicle but rather utility transportation for the likes of those who need larger vehicles on an occasional basis...for trailers or larger families. If a couple of kids are present a 'crude' Accent...as you put it, would more likely fill this bill. You don't need something that is souped to the eyebrows to go to the local mall.
Today at 08:55:16 am
I believe JS...
And out of the three of us, toolate is the only one who hasn't driven it.
Today at 09:29:41 am
I believe JS...
And out of the three of us, toolate is the only one who hasn't driven it.
WHat does it matter if I've driven it?
I assume you have no opinions on any products that you have not personally used?
Why would I drive one? I'd never buy one becauseI don't fit into the teeny tiny market demographic that would actually buy one in North America (which apparently doesn't include you either).