2012 Smart Fortwo

The 2012 Smart Fortwo is an affordable car, mostly associated with city life because of its size and engine that makes it easy to park and maneuver in jam-packed metropolitan environments.

Despite this 2-passenger car having a tiny exterior appearance, many people appreciate and are amazed by its spacious and comfortable cabin with enough leg and headroom even for tall adults.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Compact Coupe Base Price: $12,490.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 8.7 gallons (33l) MPG: 34 city / 38 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 106.1 in. (269.4 cm) Wheel Base: 73.5 in. (186.7 cm)
Height: 60.7 in. (154.1 cm) Width: 61.3 in. (155.7 cm)
Curb Weight: 1808 lbs (820 kg) Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 7.8 cu ft Maximum Seating: 2 people
Performance
Engine: 12 Valve Inline 3 DOHC Displacement: 1.0 Liter
Horsepower: 70 HP Max RPM: 5800 RPM
Torque: 68 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm Transmission: 5-Speed Auto/Manual
Available Trims & Engine
Option:Passion Coupe MSRP: $14,890; MPG: 34 city / 38 hwy
Option:Passion Cabriolet MSRP: $17,890; MPG: 34 city / 38 hwy
Option:Electric Drive MSRP: Coming Soon; MPG: NA – All Electric


Engine & Performance

The Smart Fortwo is powered by a rear-mounted 1.0L 3-cylinder powertrain that produces 70 hp and 68 lbs-ft of torque. This engine is connected to a standard 5-speed automated manual transmission, to help the car reach a maximum speed of 90 mph.

The transmission can be shifted manually through the console-mounted stick in any trim or through shift paddles on the steering column of the Passion trim. This car can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in 14.1 seconds. It nets a fuel economy estimate of 34 mpg in the city and 38 mpg while driving on a highway. The 2012 Smart Fortwo is popular due to its accurate steering and maneuverability in close quarters and urban runabouts.

Exterior

The Fortwo is built on a 73.5-inch wheelbase, measuring just 106.1 inches in length. This 2-seat subcompact is offered in convertible or hatchback coupe bodies and two trim levels: Passion and Pure. All Pure trims are fitted with 15-inch steel wheels, while the Passion is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels.

Standard exterior features on the Passion Coupe are: glass roof and heated power mirrors. Passion Cabriolet (convertible) adds glass rear window and power convertible top to its exterior. Optional exterior features on Passion models include: metallic paint, wired tires and wheels, fog lights, and automatic wipers and lights.

Interior

Although this car looks small from the outside, you do not have to worry about the cabin being cramp. This cabin has an attractive design and is well laid out. However, AC and radio do not come standard. Although this car does not come with a radio, it is equipped with an installation prep package for radio which comes with an auxiliary input jack.

All in all, the cabin material used are solid and well assembled. Passion Cabriolet and Coupe models come with more standard features that include paddle shifters and power windows; while optional features include surround sound and a navigation system. This car comes with a cargo space of 7.8 cubic ft behind the seats, which can reach a maximum of 12 cubic feet after packing the roof.

Safety & Reliability

Having been built by Mercedes-Benz, many safety features have been included to guarantee the safety of the occupants during a ride or in the event of a collision. All models come with standard features that include: driver and passenger airbags, electronic stability control, 4-wheel ABS, 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control. Coupe models are equipped with side curtain airbags, while the Cabriolets are fitted with side airbags.

All new 2012 Fortwo cars are backed with 4-year or 50,000 mile limited warranty, as well as 5-year or 60,000 miles warranty for the engine. Rust corrosion is also covered by a warranty that lasts for the first 5 years, regardless of the mileage.

Pros

  • Excellent fuel economy
  • Very maneuverable in cities
  • Spacious seating for two

Cons

  • Little cargo space
  • Jerky transmission
  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Poor warranty coverage

In general, the 2012 Smart Fortwo is a good car for city dwellers. It has good fuel economy, favors tight-quarter maneuverability and has good road manners.

Overall Rating
52 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2012 Smart Fortwo, with its lack of refinement, rough transmission and unpleasant highway ride, is one of the least desirable cars on the market. There are plenty of other cars we’d recommend as a compact city car.”Edmunds

“Agile around town; tiny dimensions help provide outstanding close-quarters maneuverability. Light, accurate steering contributes to an almost sporty demeanor, though some testers complain of tippy sensations in corners. Note that ForTwo is especially susceptible to highway crosswind wander.”Consumer Guide

“The 2012 smart fortwo continues unchanged from the 2011 model year.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“For a vehicle with a tremendously short wheelbase, we found the 2012 Smart Fortwo’s ride surprisingly comfortable. The faster you go, however, the more skittish the Fortwo becomes…”KBB

“Still stylish and quirky, the 2012 Smart Fortwo can be a fun and useful car for tight urban spaces where its size and maneuverability is an asset; but for even occasional highway driving, nearly any other small car would be a better pick.”Car Connection

->