The Auto Writer

I survived the Smart ForTwo. Or, it survived me!

I never imagined myself driving the Smart ForTwo for one simple reason: I can’t stand the car.

Okay, before you jump all over me, it isn’t a car that I could see myself ever owning, let alone driving. Yet, when the opportunity came up to test drive the diminutive two seater from Daimler, I decided to give it ago. After all, if you are going to criticize something, it better be backed up with some solid reasons!

Wes, the representative from Smart who rode with me, was friendly and very helpful. He explained all about the 1.0L I3 powered car and went over its development, much of what I had heard about previously. Still, I didn’t know that the engine was in the back nor did I know that the car had much of a storage area (12 cubic feet). Whenever I’ve seen a Smart in my neck of the woods (Cary, NC), all I could think of was how awful it would be to be t-boned in that thing!

The ForTwo lurched its way out of the parking garage and onto the streets of downtown L.A. Wes explained to me that the car operated that way in first gear, but once I got out onto the road and could pick up some speed, the awkwardness of the gear shifting would ease. Still, I always felt that their was someone else controlling the car to some extent, reminding me of some of the other manual clutches I had dealt with many years ago.

Interior room is generous despite the car’s eight foot length. Since there are only two seats, all of the cabin space benefits the passengers. Wes mentioned that occupants as tall as 6’5″ would feel comfortable in the car which gives the Smart an advantage over most any other compact (or smaller) car on the road.

I forgot to mention that our Smart was the Cabriolet model so we were able to enjoy the sunny California weather as we made the trip around the Los Angeles Convention Center. The soft top rolls to the rear of the car, much like a sheet would roll to the end of a bed — kind of odd, but we’re talking about basic transportation, not one of Daimler’s other brands such as Maybach.

The one fun thing about the ForTwo is the car’s amazingly tight turning radius. We circled a pole when I drove the car back into the parking garage where I quipped, “wouldn’t it be great if all cars were this agile!” Clearly, the one attribute of the ForTwo that I loved.

The Smart ForTwo delivers 33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway — numbers which aren’t terribly impressive, but then this is a gas powered car. What’s more, with a retail price starting around $12,200, the ForTwo offers a compelling reason why someone might want the car. All I know that it isn’t me — then again, I’m not every driver and neither are you.