Insurance Group: N/A
MPG: 57.6
CO2: 115
0-62 Mph: 10.7 secs
BHP: 84 BHP
Range: 418 miles
PROS: You can park it almost anywhere, very low running costs, low emissions.
CONS: Firm and unrefined ride, noisy and tiring on longer journeys, entry-level models lack equipment.
The interior is distinctive, well laid out and the control and switches are big, clear and easy to use. Finding a good driving position in the Fortwo will depend on your own height and build – as there’s no adjustment for height on the driver’s seat and the steering wheel is fixed, with no adjustment at all.
The Fortwo offers two engine choices: a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol with 70bhp, 83bhp or 101bhp outputs, or a 54bhp 0.8-litre diesel. The 70bhp petrol is the cheapest option and the other petrol versions are relatively more potent, but the 54bhp diesel is slow. The 84bhp petrol version is capable of a top speed of 90mph and 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds and produces 88lb-ft of torque which will power the Fortwo around most city streets without much complaining. Average fuel economy is where it performs best - delivering 57.5mpg.
Parking can be a hassle unless you choose the power steering – which surprisingly in a small city car, is an optional extra. The suspension is firm, partly designed that way due to the tallness of the Fortwo – to keep it upright during cornering. However, this means that every little bump in the road is felt through the suspension. Many of its rivals suffer from the same problem – so it’s not unique to the Fortwo.
Overall refinement isn’t too impressive. The engine can be heard whenever you accelerate and on longer journeys it can become tiring. The semi-auto gear-change is less than perfect and can make for jerky progress at times.
The Smart Fortwo Passion has very distinctive ‘chic’ and ultra modern styling and is appealing to the eye. The interior is equally distinctive and well designed.
Disappointingly, it only offers very basic equipment on the entry-level Pulse which comes with: steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, alloy wheels, electric windows, air-conditioning and Bluetooth. Upgrading to the Passion model gets you a panoramic glass sunroof, stability control, CD+MP3 connectivity and satellite navigation – but no alarm or power steering, both of which are options. Opting for the Brabus trim adds stiffer sports suspension, a bodykit and heated leather seats.
Being a two-seater obviously it’s not the most practical of cars, but it’ll accommodate even two good sized adults. Access is easy thanks to the wide doors and even though the boot space isn’t enormous – offering a maximum of 340-litres – it’s comparable with some of its rival city cars.
Driver and passenger airbags along with stability control are fitted as standard on all models. Optional side-airbags are available at extra cost. EuroNCAP has awarded the Fortwo a rating of four-stars for occupant safety and two-stars for pedestrian safety.
Anti-theft measures include an immobilizer and lockable glove-box. Unfortunately deadlocks are not fitted as standard.
In general the Fortwo has a solid, durable feel to it, and it came sixth in the 2011 JD Power survey for its class. However, owners have only scored it as average for reliability – with mention of problems with the auto-gearbox.
The Fortwo comes with Smart’s two-year-unlimited mileage warranty, and regular service intervals of 10,000 miles.
The Smart Fortwo is definitely worth considering if you limit yourself to city driving, especially if you are environmentally and economically conscious – but at higher speeds you’ll tire of it quickly.
Running costs are very low with all models; it’s cheap to insure and average fuel economy ranges from 54.3mpg to an incredible 85.6mpg with the diesel version. CO2 emissions of 115g/km for the Passion version put it in VED band C for Road Tax and at £10,500 to buy; it’s an attractive option for city dwellers.
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