Insurance Group: 5
MPG: 64.2
CO2: 100
0-62 Mph: 13.7 secs
BHP: 71 BHP
Range: 466 miles
Fuel economy is good and running costs low. A stop/start engine mechanism helps in keeping fuel consumption low. Once you get over the high purchase price, there will be little other expenses to worry about. The equipment level is satisfactory but the car could do with more safety kit.
PROS: Stylish looks in and out. Spacious. Efficient manual gearbox. Good economy. Strong resale values.
CONS: Handling is average. Engine noise. Fixed driving position. Some safety kit is missing. Expensive.
The Smart ForTwo Cabrio Pulse Micro Hybrid has a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, 12v 999cc petrol engine. It produces 71bhp which is good enough for town runs. Its peak torque of 68 lb-ft comes at 2800 rpm. Unfortunately, it does not have enough pull to sustain decent performance on the motorway. Stick to town driving if you want to get the best out of your ForTwo Cabrio. The occasional drive in the open road will do too.
The ForTwo Cabrio Pulse’s handling is average. Steering is sharp and has enough feel to guarantee fun driving. But suspension is soft, so driving on rough roads yields a jittery ride. There is also plenty of body roll in corners. Grip levels are not too good either.
With the roof open, there is considerable amount of wind noise penetrating the cabin. Road noise is controlled and will not be a bother. The engine roar, which can be heard from the cabin, will only be a problem over long drives; it is bearable on short drives.
Open space surrounds you on the inside. Coupled with thin pillars and the sloping windscreen, this ensures that visibility is good all around.
The Smart ForTwo Cabrio Pulse is a fancy, little city car. A two-door, two-seat open car, it has a distinct folding roof which gives it its attractive, defining appearance. The roof design is such that the roofline swoops down and into the side sills, giving the car a unique look. It is also relatively taller than most city cars.
The overall feel inside the car is one of a much bigger vehicle. The interior is airy and roomy. Combined with the car’s tall frame, the sloping windscreen provides good visibility all-round. The dash layout is good. Soft touch materials are used on the seats and all surfaces look and feel durable.
The Cabrio Pulse is an entry-level trim, but it comes adequately equipped. Standard kit includes stability control, central locking, air con, alloy wheels, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbag, immobiliser, MP3 connectivity and CD player.
Cost options are numerous and include stability control for £325, electric door mirrors for £130, metallic paint for £260, cruise control for £275, leather seats for £720, front side airbags for £205, alarm for 210, Bluetooth for £490 and sat nav for £490.
The car is spacious enough for two, thanks to its tall frame. Tall occupants can travel without knocking their heads on the roof and there is plenty of legroom to allow reasonable leg stretches. The seats are supportive and comfortable.
The steering wheel is fixed and therefore cannot be manipulated to create a more suitable driving position. While you can slide the driver’s seat back and forth, you cannot adjust its height, and this again may affect the driving position.
The boot compares favourably to class rivals in size. It provides 20 litres of space. The passenger seat folds down completely to increase capacity to 340 litres. There is a sizeable glove box where small, personal items can go into.
Smart is a subsidiary of Mercedes so you can count on Mercedes quality and reliability when buying your Smart ForTwo. Smart models are quite popular and are not known to have major engineering problems.
Safety levels are good, but could be better. Substantial features such as stability control and front side airbags are missing and this indefinitely affects the car’s safety standards. In the Euro NCAP, it only managed a 4-star rating for occupant safety, when most rivals garner all five-stars.
The doors are wide and make access to the cabin easy. Its miniature size (it measures only 2695mm x 1559mm) makes parking in tight space a breeze.
The ForTwo Cabrio Pulse is more expensive than bigger rivals, a price that is justified by its practicality. But it is a car that holds its value well so anyone thinking of selling it after a while will recoup a good percentage of the original price.
Whether considering long term ownership or short-term, the good fuel economy will certainly make up for the high buying price. It returns 65.7mpg, which is extremely good for a city car. Emissions of just 99g/km earn the car tax exempt status. The car sits in insurance group 5 and will be cheap to insure.
It comes with a short, 2-year warranty which thankfully is for unlimited mileage, and a 12,500 mile service interval.
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