smart

The ‘Smart’ marque came about when Swiss company ‘Swatch’ and German automaker ‘Mercedes-Benz’ came together to manufacture subcompact, retro-styled, and urban-centric cars for young and trendy individuals. Unfortunately, the smart car never really took off in the USA, with large, full-size SUVs and pickup trucks winning the appeal of the market. By 2019, Mercedes decided to discontinue the entire smart range in the US, as the cost of homologating the smart car coupled with its significantly low sales volumes, justified its demise. The smart EQ, a small, fully electric car sold in two body styles, was the last model sold in the country after the gasoline versions were discontinued in 2017.

Types of Smart Cars

The hatchback and convertible versions of the fortwo were the only Smart models put up for sale in America with the brand’s forfour Smart cars having only been made available in Europe and a few other countries. Thus, we have the:

• fortwo Electric Drive Hatchback
• fortwo Electric Drive Cabrio

The Smart Cars Range

• EQ fortwo: Powering the tiny vehicle is a 60 kWh electric motor that cedes up to 80 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque through a single-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. The EV feels peppy with this powertrain and it is very nimble in the urban setting. However, it will only accelerate from 0 to 60 in a slow-going 11.4 seconds. Both variants stand out for their unique designs and styling, and they truly are optimized for the city, with traffic-dodging maneuverability and absolutely no effort when it comes to parking. They can only seat two people in a tight interior and the cargo bay offers a mere 8.9 cubic feet of usable space.

Smart Car Models and Prices

What To Consider Before Buying

If you’re considering buying a new or used smart car, price details, performance information, specifications, and more can all be found in CarBuzz’s buyers guide and review section. Not many dealers will stock these automobiles, however, seeing that the production and sale of each have been completely halted in the USA. Prospective buyers will have to browse used car lots if they’re adamant about the purchase. Starting prices of the smart car are not cheap, and there are many newer options from other brands out there that offer a whole lot more for the same amount of money. Here are some advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• Small enough to fit any parking space
• Nimble around city streets
• Sufficient space for two passengers
• Top-down thrills in cabriolet variant
• Unique aesthetics

Cons

• Surprisingly poor gas mileage
• Low-rent feel to cabin materials
• Unrefined transmission
• Impractical and expensive

FAQs