This is the review of the car in the UK, Price Range: £6,900 - £15,470
(£6900 for the smart fortwo pure 61bhp, £15470 for the smart fortwo BRABUS cabrio 98bhp)
Performance
Comes with a choice of three, one-litre, three-cylinder engines with either 61, 70 or 83bhp. The smaller unit can feel underpowered while the larger two both deliver livelier performance in town. However, we'd choose the turbo 83bhp for its extra oomph on the motorway. Smart has allegedly sorted the jerky six-speed auto that plagued the original car. We say 'allegedly' because, although it might be a bit smoother in its new five-speed guise, it's still fairly sharp and grabby. At very low speeds there's also a tendency for the car to leap on the throttle. You give it a gentle prod with the right foot and nothing happens. So you give it a tiny bit more and it lurches forward. Annoying in a car whose raison d'être is to make short work of the city.
Driving
With a wider track and longer wheelbase, than the previous version the new Smart handles and rides a lot better. The odd involuntary, partial lane-change still occurs in strong crosswinds, and big lorries will suck you up just like they did before, but left to its own devices the Smart feels far less hampered by its modest proportions than it used to. Ride can still be on the hard side, though, with imperfections transmitted into the cabin.
Space
There's enough space for two tall adults to get comfortable, and an increase of 55mm in length translates into more in the way of useful storage, especially in the dash and door pockets. Plus at 340 litres, an extra 70 litres of boot space has been added over the old model.
Build quality
Much improved. Everything you touch feels infinitely more car-like than the Toys 'R' Us incarnation we're all used to. Although the afterthought dashmounted dials are still in situ, the stereo is a more convincingly integrated unit, the heater a lot less of a fiddle and some of the auxiliary switches are now borrowed straight from Mercedes proper.
Equipment
Trim levels are as before - Pure, Pulse and Passion. Despite costing a hefty £7,000 the entry Pure doesn't offer much, just remote central locking and a CD player. How generous. The Pulse adds 15in alloy wheels, electric windows and a panoramic roof, but only the £9k Passion hands you air conditioning and a luggage cover for the boot.
Safety
ESP, Brake Assist and ABS are all standard, which is unprecedented for this class. Pedestrian safety has been improved to meet with US legislation that's dominatrix-strict.
Owning
You can't lose. Small engines equate to high 60mpg economy and low CO2 emissions, which in turn bring a low road-fund tax bill (£35 per year). The old model hangs onto its values well and we expect the same with this one.
Value
Despite its diminutive dimensions, this is not cheap motoring, especially for just the two of you.
Verdict
There's no denying the new Smart is a good car, but it's not the futureproof urban transport solution the old one was. It's gotten too big and too expensive. So, easy to love in isolation, but harder to justify in a market thick with capable four-seat city cars.
Don't want a roof?
Convertible
The good news is that the removal of the roof hasn't detracted from the handling. The bad news is this was never great anyway. Choppy and bouncy, there's little front-end grip. There are just two enigines so far, a 71 and a 84bhp one-litre. Either will do just fine.
In all other respects it's the same as the regular Smart. Fine by me.
At 6 ft 6, and 2 kids It aint for me!!
