Smart Fourtwo: Car of the Year?
Don't get us wrong, we like the Smart Fourtwo just as much as anybody, but when considering what car deserves the title "Car of the Year" the little two-seater isn't the first vehicle that comes to mind. Not that the car is undeserving of some honor: the fuel mileage is laudable, the safety features are all present and accounted for and the emissions are suitably low. The problem is that there are other vehicles which perform equally as well in most of the categories mentioned for a similar price point. What would really merit an award such as "Car of the Year" would be an electric version of the Smart for the same price as the gas powered model. Now we're taking!
So, now that the pros and cons of the Fourtwo have been discussed, what do you readers think? Is the Smart an award-winning vehicle?
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
moondogie66 5:06PM (1/31/2008)
I now own a 2007 Toyota Pries and have just test driven the new smart car which I have a deposit on.The old days are over. We need do something different and despite some Caveman Attitudes, the old days are over. The smart car sets new ideas that maby small is better.My wife and I will drive from Los Angeles to New York City when we take possession of our new Smart Car and mabey look for other smart Car Owners to join us.
Reply
Mykol 7:06PM (2/19/2008)
Perfect car for a city dweller who has to tuck their car away somewhere close to home. Parking in the city is unaffordable, and impossible to find close to your house. This offers much more than a motorcycle, or the subway, and is an all-weather vehicle.
Reply
Mark 10:17AM (3/22/2008)
I have liked the idea of a SMART car for some time, what I really don't understand is WHY they would not bring over a DIESEL version like they have in Europe. The car just doesn't make sense with the Mitsubishi sourced (I think) gas engine. Bring in the diesel, electric, or hybrid diesel increase the MPG and it may stand a chance at pushing sales numbers past expectations...
Reply
R. D. 11:26PM (6/16/2009)
I have put 1,775 miles on my new Smart car in the first six weeks. I have driven it on the freeways, city streets and country roads. I love it. My average miles per gallon is 41. What is not to love about it? I have the silver and black passion model. I am a 74 year old grandmother. I do miss cruise control. I drive 70 miles per hour on the freeway.
Reply
kert 10:14AM (1/09/2008)
2008 ? WTH ?
One has been parking in my neighbours lot for well over two years. With steel wheels and yellow colour it looks exceptionally ugly, but i'd forgive that if it was electric. It isnt.
Oh, wait, this is U.S. car of the year we are talking about ? Well, its been available in Europe for ages. And its Fortwo not FourTwo
Reply
Throwback 11:18AM (1/09/2008)
Haven driven the new Four Two at one of their road shows I say no. Honestly, a base Fit gives you so much more than Four two does, at nearly the same price.
Reply
Mulad 11:23AM (1/09/2008)
It's "ForTwo", as in, for two people. They'd planned a ForFour model, but I'm not sure if that was ever built.
Reply
Speqtre 12:26PM (1/09/2008)
Seriously, there isn't much I wouldn't give for an electric Smart Fortwo in my driveway - anyone need a kidney?
Reply
zaedrus 11:58AM (1/09/2008)
I test drove at the road show as well and would nix the nomination based on the transmission.
I'd buy one for the novelty, but the jerky ride would trigger migraines for my significant other. I love everything else about it, but no dice for me.
Maybe with a free after market conversion to manual or CVT.
But considering it's been in production for 8 years... Maybe one of those newer Chinese knockoffs? Flaunt a Rollex, wear Prado, and drive that Shuanghuan Noble! Ick.
Reply
Rick 11:58AM (1/09/2008)
The 2 seater part is such a limiting thing. I moved down in size to a Corolla and even that is limiting vehicle utility almost too much. As a second car I can see the fortwo, especially if it was electric, but as a primary vehicle - not for me thanks.
Reply
Dan 1:36PM (1/09/2008)
Not worth a car of the year prize. I think you're giving up too much to save a little parking space and a little gas. 33/40 mpg is better than any non-hybrid, but the next most efficient car is the Yaris 5 spd at 29/35 mpg which has 4 seats and only costs a few thou more.
It is worth saving parking space, but that only works if city governments accommodated the Smart, either by allowing perpendicular curb parking or allowing 2 Smarts to park at one metered spot. Note that many cities don't even allow two motorcycles to park at one meter. If a Smart parks one per meter or in a mall parking lot, it takes just as much parking space as a regular car.
Reply
stevejust 1:46PM (1/09/2008)
The fuel mileage is abysmal for a car its size.
My $18,600 new off the lot 2004 Honda Hybrid Civic has four doors and gets the same or maybe even better gas milage. And it's got space on the roof for bikes!
Reply
daeil 5:25PM (1/09/2008)
As i read the comments above i couldn't help thinking to myself the image of americans in their BIG cars!
Reply
Snowdog 2:45PM (1/09/2008)
Ugh don't you hate when the mainly price gets some writer to pen a story where they are generally clueless about what is involved:
"However, the Prius, which gets better mileage in the city than on the highway, is not recommended for road trips. The Smart can carry you coast-to-coast, provided your luggage is not much bigger than a couple of backpacks."
The Prius not recommend for Road Trips? WTH? I would much rather do a road trip in the Prius, with its ample cargo room, longer wheel base, better acceleration and better highway mileage (EPA 2008) than this pogo stick on wheels.
As far as the smart goes as car of the year. Ummm, I don't think so. Yaris/Fit/Versa offer a much better package.
Reply
Phil L. 3:13PM (1/09/2008)
The Smart seems to be mostly notable for popularizing the idea of a small but desireable car in the US, something it appeared to do well before being available for sale here.
And another foreign concept it embodies in the US: Paying a premium for a quality small car. Given the choice, traditional American buyers will almost always head for a stripped-down large car rather than a well-equipped small car, even if the purchase prices are equal.
This said, the competition has come through with quality alternatives before the Smart became commonly available in the US - alternatives that make more sense for most people than a tiny two-seater with virtually no cargo space.
If the Smart can be considered a Car of the Year candidate, it will be for the ideas it espouses, not the reality it delivers.
Reply
Throwback 3:24PM (1/09/2008)
The other point is the Smart requires premium fuel. Something about an economy car needing premium rubs me the wrong way. I want to love this car but the transmission really put me off. I still have my order in so I will give it another, more extensive drive when the dealer calls.
Reply
Throwback 3:24PM (1/09/2008)
The other point is the Smart requires premium fuel. Something about an economy car needing premium rubs me the wrong way. I want to love this car but the transmission really put me off. I still have my order in so I will give it another, more extensive drive when the dealer calls.
Reply
Dan 4:14PM (1/09/2008)
Phil is right that the concept is important: small, safe and desirable (meaning premium priced). I think the Mini fits that concept the best. Although not premium-priced, the Honda Fit is a hot seller too.
Reply
Wildgoosechase 11:44PM (1/09/2008)
The Smart is just a PR gimmick, as discussed why buy it other than for novelty's sake. Sure it's cute but imagine grocery shopping with it. Nope, can't buy the 40 pound bag of dog food or cat litter. Maybe a trailer will be optional equipment?
Reply
Phil L. 5:35PM (1/09/2008)
Dan -
The Fit doesn't need to be premium-priced: It need to be desirable. The American psyche hasn't been ready to really *want* a small car until recently; the hype surrounding the Smart car (and others) has helped.
Reply