Smart ForTwo information: everything you need to know if you own it, are thinking of buying one or just want to find out more about the city car icon. Click on the links below for all of CAR magazine’s news, reviews, videos, scoops and spy photos of the Smart car range. We list the top 10 stories for each model – and where appropriate you can click on ‘More’ to browse even more of our archive.
Background
The ForTwo has become part of the furniture in cityscapes around the world, with 1.6 million of the dinky rear-engined rollerskates sold since its original launch in 1998. It’s lost Daimler billions though; turns out innovative city cars are jolly expensive things to create. That’s not put them off making another one, however. This is the all-new Smart ForTwo, co-developed with the new Renault Twingo for economies of scale. For more information on the Smart ForTwo, click on our further stories on the links below.
60sec road test
Essentially a Smart ForFour (or Renault Twingo – they’re the same thing) with a bit chopped out of the middle, the new ForTwo is better built and more refined than its predecessor. It’s more bulbous than it used to be (partly because of the shared big car genes, partly because of improved crash structure) and a bit wider, but the same overall length. It feels more solid, more like a ‘real’ car inside than before and rides better too. Still a touch firm over potholes though. Engines are three-cylinder petrol jobs, one with a turbo, one without, and there’s now a choice of a manual gearbox or an auto. Both are hugely better than the jerky semi-auto contraption the original was saddled with. The turning circle is hilarious, even smaller than before, enabling the ForTwo to chase its tail within the space of seven metres. If you do 90% of your driving in the city, or just like going round in circles, it might be worth a look. If you don’t, there are far better all-rounders out there.
The one we’d buy
The 70bhp naturally aspirated one
The one we’d avoid like the plague
The turbo. It’s laggy, and there’s no need
Rivals to consider
Fiat 500, VW Up
For
A better car than before
Against
Only makes sense in the city
Read the full Smart ForTwo review by our sister brand Parkers