Insurance Group: N/A
MPG: 57.6
CO2: 115
0-62 Mph: 10.7 secs
BHP: 84 BHP
Range: 418 miles
There is space enough for two and you can fit your gym bag or shopping in the boot. It represents really good value for money and is one of the most reliable city cars you can buy.
PROS: Reliable. Handling and steering is good. Spacious. Low running costs. Good Fuel economy. Good equipment level. Strong resale values.
CONS: Ride quality not so good. Noisy engine. Some safety equipment is missing. Short service interval. Expensive.
The Smart ForTwo Plus 84bhp is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder 12v 999c petrol engine. It is brisk in and out of town, and thanks to 84bhp and 88 lb-ft of torque between 2000-4750rpm, it gives an okay performance on the open road. It is also fast, with a not so slow 0-62mph time of 10.7 seconds. But its top speed of 90mph is lower than that of many rivals.
On the road mannerisms imitate those of a bigger car. It has better grip than its predecessor and no longer feels like it is tottering on the motorway, thanks to improved stability. Steering is quick, sharp and responsive while suspension is firm and effective against small bumps, but the ride quality is not the class best. The six-speed automatic gearbox will take a bit of time to get used to, as it is a bit clumsy.
The engine drones endlessly, and while this sound may not be a bother when doing a short dash to the shop, it can become irritating on longer journeys. Wind and road noise are suppressed, all thanks to good soundproofing in the cabin.
The Smart ForTwo is a luxurious two-door, two-seat city car, made in coupe styling. The body frame is well-designed and assembled, with a front grille and dynamic side lines being the most distinguishable features.
The cabin is tastefully designed and looks as luxurious as the exterior. Soft-touch fabrics are used on the dash and the seats are covered in high quality fabrics. You can upgrade to leather seats if you prefer a plusher look.
For a city car, the ForTwo is well-equipped. Standard kit in the car includes stability control, central locking, air con, alloy wheels, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbag, immobiliser, MP3 connectivity and CD player.
Available cost options are just as many as the standard kit and can easily hike the car’s total cost even higher. They include front side airbags for £205, electric front doors for £130, alarm for £210, cruise control for £275, sat nav for £490, Bluetooth for £490, metallic paint for £260 and leather seats for £720.
The Smart ForTwo looks deceptively small from the outside, but is packed with space on the inside. Two six footers will easily ride in the car and not feel closed in. There is plenty of headroom and legroom.
The boot has a 220 litre capacity and falls within the class range for size and shape. It has a low load lip and an opening big enough to ensure easy loading.
The driving position is fixed so it will not be comfortable for everyone. Neither the driver’s seat nor the steering wheel can be adjusted for height or reach.
Smart ForTwo is a strong car, built on Mercedes technology. The previous generation ForTwo did well in the market and was popular with city drivers. Motorists can count on Mercedes reliability to deliver the same kind of quality in this new ForTwo. It comes with a 2-year warranty on unlimited mileage, which is definitely good news for high mileage drivers.
Safety and security levels are good, but some crucial kit, such as deadlocks and side airbags, is missing. Most other security systems are in place though, and the car managed to get a four star rating for occupant safety in the Euro NCAP crash test.
The Smart ForTwo is expensive. Its current list price is £9,700 and is higher than most rivals. Fortunately, it does retain its value well and will easily recoup more than half of its original price on reselling.
The most advantageous thing about owning a Smart ForTwo is the extremely low running costs. Fuel economy is excellent at 57.6mpg and means you can drive longer on full tank. Carbon emissions are low, averaging 115g/km to qualify for road band C tax rates, which are only £30 annually. Insurance costs are average. Only frequent servicing visits (the car has a 10,000 mile service interval) may prove expensive over time.
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