smart fortwo hatchback (2007 – ) expert review

One of the most instantly recognisable cars on the road, the smart fortwo has a look all its own. Stylish and unthreatening the car reveals more about its owners taste than what’s in their wallet or purse. A revelation when it was launched in 1998 it now looks at home on UK roads as that other little icon the MINI.

Getting into a smart car for the first time feels strange, its high driving position contrasts with the car’s reduced length. It takes a moment to get your bearings. The Grandstyle model we drove featured a beige leather interior, which, along with the heated seats, felt very luxurious for a supermini. The interior, made very light by a full-length sunroof, is a little eccentric with the information displays split between the speedo, fuel gauge and temperature gauge visible through the wheel and the clock and revs getting their own dash-mounted dials.

Need to park? Its diminutive length means it can be parked nose to the kerb if needs be. But, obviously, this comes at a price. Load the tailgate-accessed boot and you’ve got 150 litres up to the waistline, plus a further 110 litres if you stack it to the roof. We were pleasantly surprised to stow a fair few shopping bags in the boot area while another trip saw a guitar and hard case snugly stored behind the front seats. Inside, storage is still tight but side pockets and a couple of nooks and crannies means there are options.

The fortwo’s 15-inch wheels mean you’ll become pretty familiar with any lumps and bumps on your regular roads. Plus you’ll need to slow down considerably for speed bumps. The car’s dimensions – 2.5m long and a little over 1.5 high – mean windy conditions are less pleasant to drive in on the motorway and cornering is not its strong suit.

The smart uses a 698cc engine with 50bhp, 61bhp or 74bhp depending on trim chosen. The 61bhp model we drove takes 15.5 seconds to get to 62.5mph and has an electronically limited top speed of 84mph. It feels quicker than figures suggest in town and was perfectly at home when we took it for a run on a dual carriageway. However, the delay in gear change from the semi-automatic gearbox is marked and probably the least lovable thing about the car.

The model we drove returns an average of 60.1mpg, rising to 70.6mpg for long journeys. The insurance group for the Grandstyle model we drove is 5 – other models range from group 1 to group 8. The annual car tax bill is just £40 and the car holds its value well after the inevitable first year drop. Buyers get a two-year unlimited mileage warranty and two years breakdown service.

Daimler Chrysler is Smart’s parent company and no major problems have been reported for the fortwos since their introduction nearly ten years ago. While small, the car itself, and materials, feel robust. There have been no major manufacturer recalls.

The smart fortwo benefits from driver and passenger airbags, drivers’ aid system electronic stability program (ESP) and anti-lock brakes (ABS).

Tinted windows, radio cassette player and central locking come as standard on the entry-level Pure. Passion and Brabus are the higher-spec trims which bring automatic gears, side airbags, power steering system, cruise control and alloys. The Grandstyle model we drove featured racing green metallic body panels and beige leather trim including heated seats.

It’s a stylish commuter which will see you stand out from the crowd. If you regularly need to transport more than one passenger or more than a few shopping bags, forget it. But if you’re looking to set yourself apart from the herd on the daily slog this is about the best way to do so.