smart fortwo test drive

Automotive journalist Scott Newell takes you for a test drive in the smart fortwo, the small two-seater that Europeans buy because they can park them anywhere. They came to the US just as gas prices soared, sparking a great deal of interest among American buyers.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• smart
• car
• fortwo
• mercedes
• test
• drive
• scott
• newell
• fuel
• economy
• review
• small
• tiny

[rhythm78]

What is so "smart" about the smart car? It seats only two, looks like a baby mouse, it's not safe like other cars (I dont care what the reviewer says, see the crash test video.. I flies up in the air when hit) and it costs $17,000, before taxes and fees!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! What is smart about this car? If the price were only 8k or 10k.. i'd say okay, maybe... but you can buy a larger car, same fuel economy, and is safer for less money!! Hyundai accent, Nissan Versa (starts at only $9,500!!)

[Lancefrei]

@rhythm78 I am the reviewer and never state in the video that the fortwo is "safe like other cars." Please note that in this video, the question of safety is posed by a passerby, the product specialist (employed by smart or their agent) responds that it is safe and built around a safety cage. I then state that "only real world experience in the United States will tell the true tale."

[smart451cab]

@Lancefrei To date, with more than 45K smarts in the USA, there have been 4 fatalities, less than half statistically expected based on the entire USA motor vehicle fleet.

There have been many more crash survivals which could only be described as amazing. Read first hand accounts at safeandsmart under the Owner Stories tab

Combined with the fact the smart is less likely to be involved in a wreck to start with, I'm glad to know that I drive one of the safest cars on the road. And it's FUN too!

[Lancefrei]

@smart451cab Thanks for the stats. My comments @rhythm78 were merely to clarify what the original script said. This review was done before the Smart had come to the U.S. in any numbers. It was not intended to render any judgment on the car's safety.

[wolfxinstein]

Better economy then a fiat 500. As petrol keep going up. It's very important

[LastAnnihilation]

My fiat 500 srt10 is a lot faster than this.

[FSUDELUXE10]

@ThatsMeOneDay Wtf really??? Ya I'm in America. Wow never knew that, i take back what i said then. How much bigger is it??

[TimpBizkit]

@whothewu a small light car is never going to offer the optimum of crash protection. The driver is only a metre and a bit from the front of the car. Even if it was made of solid steel it would be no good if the car was ok but not the driver! The smart car is more about prevention. The brakes don't have to work as hard to slow down. It has less energy in collisions.

[TimpBizkit]

@rhythm78 although it's not as strong as a Hummer or Range Rover, don't forget less weight = less power to smash itself! I must admit, I've never bought brand new. I have a nissan micra for £650 off of family friends and has similar economy to the smart. Don't know about safety (it'd lose a head on against most mid-sized cars), just don't crash it! Be a good driver.... Most likely accidents are parking dings thankfully

[ThatsMeOneDay]

@TimpBizkit limited yes, you can unrestict them and remap the ecu and you'l get 110mph!!!

[ThatsMeOneDay]

@FSUDELUXE10 actually i do, are you in america? the uk gallon is bigger! If your in the uk, then, well, you obviously havnt owned one.

[FSUDELUXE10]

@ThatsMeOneDay lol no you don't...

[FSUDELUXE10]

Top speed is higher than 90.... I've taken one 95+

[001GenLee]

I say, C'mon winning lottery ticket! :) I had a ' 94 Geo Metro, but it started having mechanical problems & was getting high mileage on the motor, so i had to part with it. :( That Geo got around 35 mpg, but i hear the Smart Car gets 5 to 7 or 8 more miles to the gallon. Well, look how small it is, no wonder. lol