Review: 2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet undone by tricky transmission
by Sebastian Blanco on Jul 3rd 2009 at 11:55AM 
2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Smart ForTwo isn't for shy people. Even though Smart USA has sold about 30,000 of these tiny two-seaters in the U.S., the little rollerskate attracts a lot of attention. On the road or in America's parking lots, the ForTwo is a conversation piece, and people don't hesitate to come up and talk to you. Some will tell you about the Smart they saw in Europe. Others will ask if it has the guts to make it onto the highway. Most will assume it gets great gas mileage (it doesn't). But one thing's for certain, during our week with the ForTwo, there was a 100-percent conversation rate wherever we went. Anthropophobes, be warned.
Follow the jump to see what it's like to spend wheel time with a Smart ForTwo Cabriolet.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Smart ForTwo
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
Among the myriad of questions we received, the most common area of concern centered around how safe it is. That's a fair question, considering the bigger-is-better message we've heard for years. But when you're in the Smart, you don't question its safety, you just drive. Granted, there's a slight feeling of vulnerability on the road – particularly when caught in the wind wake of semi trucks – but thanks to a deep dashboard and a distant leading edge to the windshield, the ForTwo feels bigger than it is, and about as solid as anything else on the road the majority of the time. It's only when you stop and think about the tiny narrow box you're cruising in that things get worrisome.
Still, the ForTwo has a full compliment of airbags and other active and passive safety features, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the ForTwo a four-star crash rating for the driver (three stars for the passenger), so it's hardly a death trap. Instead, it's a fun but flawed little ride, at home neither in the city nor on the highway.
It's easy (and maybe justifiable) to criticize the ForTwo. "It's only half a car," one friend joked, and the love-it-or-hate-it styling and size is the most obvious hurdle to ownership. But after driving the Smart ForTwo Passion cabrio in a variety of environments, the fog of novelty wears off and the truth is revealed: there's no ideal environment for this ultracompact runabout.
If you're a commuter in an urban area and only plan to use the ForTwo as a means to get to and from work, you could make a case for the Smart. And yes, the ForTwo could serve as a road trip machine – in a pinch. And yes, its eight cubic feet. of cargo space (12 if you fill it to the roof) is enough for a light grocery run – just don't put your ice cream at the bottom of the bags, because the ForTwo's adequate 70-hp, 1.0-liter three-cylinder sits between the rear wheels and quickly heats up the rear cargo area for insta-milkshakes. But as an everyday vehicle, the Smart ForTwo fails to stack up. And it begins with the transmission.
Although the ForTwo's automated manual gearbox has been "improved" from the 2008 model, it's still an unforgivable mess. There are two shifting options: a full automatic mode and a manual option that allows the driver to use either the steering wheel-mounted paddles or the floor-mounted shifter to change gears sans clutch. In automatic mode, the changes are inexcusably jerky, especially between first and second. Using the paddles allows for a slightly smoother shift when deftly manipulating the throttle, but manual shifting doesn't feel particularly useful, as it only allows you to choose when the hiccups happen and does little to alleviate the (neck) pain.
As you'd expect, this puts a serious chink in the ForTwo's urban armor. While its size is great for parking and the little car zips in and out of traffic with ease, in city driving, where the transmission is most active, the constant shifting makes low- to mid-speed maneuvers a torturous affair. While it might be possible to learn to live with the lurches, our week with the ForTwo wasn't enough – and we doubt any amount of time could dull the discomfort.
After answering the most common queries (What is it? Who makes it? Is it electric?), the next inevitable and justifiable question is about fuel economy. Again, the ForTwo has a surprisingly hard time justifying itself here. We averaged 35.7 mpg during our week with the car, just under the EPA's official 36 mpg combined rating. Initially, we left shifting duties to the ForTwo's computer-controlled tranny, resulting in a 32.7 mpg average. When we decided to stick the Smart Cab into the manual mode and use the paddle shifters, we managed 38.8 mpg. Maybe they're not so useless after all?
From the driver's seat, the ForTwo does its best imitation of a sleek, modern desk in some hipper-than-thou graphic designer's office. The top of the dash is expansive, and the designers completely nailed a chic, Euro-feel with the colors and layout. Virtually unchanged since the 2008 model, the gauges are stylish yet easy to read. The mid-mounted tachometer is a necessity in manual mode, since it's difficult to hear the engine crying for a change if the radio is on. The tachometer works better than the built-in indicator that flashes an "up" or "down" arrow below the speedometer when it's time to shift, as the LCD indicator is the same color and shape as the gear display and blends in. A separate colored icon, similar to what's found in modern VWs, would have been a better choice.
Other usability issues? While the visors provide an acceptable amount of shading through the windshield, they're practically useless when the glare comes in at anything beyond 11 and one o'clock. Rear visibility provided by the inside mirror isn't great, but works – except when the top is down. Two buttons by the shifter allow you to automatically fit or retract the Passion Cabriolet's top at any speed, eliminating any feeling of separation between the occupant and the environment. But when your enjoying the open-air experience, it's best to perform multiple checks when backing up or doing a lane change, as visibility becomes a finite resource. Thankfully, the ForTwo's squat footprint allows you to slide into spaces with a minimum of butt-puckering.
It's also easy to enjoy the Passion's standard audio system, which comes with a six-disc changer and an auxiliary jack in hidden in the glove box. The location of the input jack is great when you're on the road, as the iPod remains safely tucked away, but it's not so hot when stopping and starting. More than once, we left the player running because we forgot it was in the lockable glove box.
The sticker of our tester came in at $16,990, but the line ranges from $11,990 for the Pure Coupe to $20,990 for the BRABUS Cabriolet. Low sales in 2009 have prompted Smart USA to offer its first ever incentive for buyers, but even with a lower sticker, the ForTwo is difficult for us to recommend. Although some of its drawbacks disappear when you're enjoying the "ForTwo Experience", its abysmal transmission, general lack of utility and fuel economy that comes off as unimpressive for its size doesn't make a compelling case for the ForTwo. That is, unless you're a casual city driver who values fashion over function, or someone who really likes to meet new people.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Smart ForTwo
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
| 2009 Smart ForTwo | ||||
| Performance | Brakes/Tires/Wheels | |||
| Engine | 1.0-liter inline three | Front Brakes | 11-inch ventilated discs (ABS) | |
| Configuration/Valvetrain | SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder | Rear Brakes | 8-inch drums | |
| Max Horsepower @ RPM | 70 hp @ 5,800 RPM | Wheels (front) | 15x4.5-inches | |
| Max Torque @ RPM | 68 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM | Wheels (rear) | 15x5.5-inches | |
| Drive Type | Rear-wheel drive | Tires (front) | 155/60 R15 | |
| Transmission | Five-speed automated manual | Tires (rear) | 175/55 R15 | |
| Fuel Injection | EFI | |||
| Compression Ratio | 11.4:1 | Exterior Dimensions | ||
| Recommended Fuel | 91 octane | Length | 106.1 inches | |
| Fuel Capacity | 8.7 gallons (incl. 1.3 gal reserve) | Width | 61.4 inches | |
| EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy) | 33/41 | Height | 60.7 inches | |
| 0-60 mph time (MFR est.) | 12.8 seconds | Wheelbase | 73.5 inches | |
| Top Speed | 90 mph | Curb Weight | 1,808 pounds | |
| Suspension/Steering | Interior Dimensions | |||
| Front | MacPherson, with anti-roll bar | Maximum Seating | 2 | |
| Rear | DeDion axle | Luggage Capacity | 7.8 cu-ft | |
| Steering | Rack-and-pinion | Head Room (Front/Rear) | 39.7 / 0 inches | |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock | 3.4 | Shoulder Room (Front/Rear) | 48 / 0 inches | |
| Turning Circle (feet) | 28.7 | Leg Room (Front/Rear) | 41.2 / 0 inches | |
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Kevin 12:18PM (7/03/2009)
The transmission is easily the worst thing about the Smart. It's like driving a rocking chair and you lose your lunch.
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Bloke 3:33PM (7/03/2009)
"I can't figure out who this vehicle is for." -LS2LS7
I'll clue you in.
The Smart ForTwo was designed primarily for major European urban centres where parking is extremely difficult and traffic gridlock commonplace. It's more of a novelty in the States unless you're in one of the few old major cities there.
The ForTwo has chic appeal which evokes memories of the old Messerschmidt and BMW bubble cars of the 50's, of the Fiat 500 of the 60's. It's perfect for bombing around busy Parisienne streets with the image to match. It's going to be lost in the middle of rural Kentucky or Oklahoma.
hoov23 4:34PM (7/03/2009)
The thing I can't understand is how it's always described as a manual transmission. I have a 2006 grey-market 450 Smart fortwo, and I have sold about 75 of them from '06 to'08, and the trans is a clutchless manual - it's the same as BMW SMG, Lambo E-Gear, Ferrari F1, Maz Cambiocorsa, etc. The 2008 and 2009 (type 451) EUROPEAN cars use this type of trans as well, but the AMERICAN version has an AUTOMATIC trans. I've driven them many times and in my opinion it's obviously a shiftable auto and not a clutchless manual in the American 451, and I believe it is misrepresented internet-wide. I believe the difference exists because of the added difficulty of driving a clutchless manual (hill starts, shift lag, etc) vs an automatic (rolling D or R) for the average Suzy Soccermom in her Snazzy Smart. I think the manual is a better trans - more involved driving feel and sportier performance, which is necessary in a slow car like the fortwo. Has anyone else noticed a discrepancy here? Look at the two interior pics of this Dutch Smart and check out the shifter compared to an American one - note the automatic button on the side of the shifter - http://tinyurl.com/dutchsmart
the4thheat 10:57PM (7/03/2009)
I'm guessing Mercedes-Benz just isn't too good at keeping a transmission under budget without ending up with plain awful. When your transmission engineers are used to constantly increasing the number of gears in the automatic war with Lexus (pretty soon there'll be more speeds than on a mountain bike), it's probably pretty hard to actually try to suddenly try and make an automatic transmission for a car that in it's entirety costs as less than the transmission alone costs in an S-Class.
quackman 5:07PM (7/05/2009)
hoov23, the transmission in the USA smart car is an automated manual, not an automatic. This is not just internet hearsay--It's all I've heard about the car in print car magazines. Even smart's USA website says the tranny is an automated manual: http://www.smartusa.com/smart-fortwo-passion.aspx "5 speed automated manual transmission"
why not the LS2LS7? 6:48PM (7/05/2009)
Bloke:
I wasn't referring to Europe. I do understand conditions are different in Europe. The car also comes with better choices of engines (especially more fuel efficient ones) in Europe than here. Europeans probably also don't find it strange that a low-performing economy car requires premium gas.
I was referring to how I can't understand who this car is sold for in the US. Even in cities where parking is difficult, the Smart just isn't that much easier to park. It's too long to park head-in (I understand the first gen one was shorter), so it opens up few additional options over other cars.
I saw two Brabus Smarts parked in one block alone in Paris, so I know they are popular there. But I also saw two A2s, and I'd much rather have one of those (of course, it was canceled 4 years ago showing I'm not exactly in the majority).
Bloke 12:28PM (7/09/2009)
LS2LS7 - if you can stop thinking about America for a second, re-read the following words:
"The Smart ForTwo was designed primarily for major European urban centres where parking is extremely difficult and traffic gridlock commonplace."
That's what the car was ORIGINALLY designed for back in the mid 1990's. It does come with more engine choices in Europe but even so, its purpose is primarily to tackle traffic problems, not fuel consumption. There are precious few places in the US where the point of the ForTwo is particularly relevant and therefore more likely to be a novelty.
It's like talking to a sodding brick wall.
Bloke 12:32PM (7/09/2009)
"Europeans probably also don't find it strange that a low-performing economy car requires premium gas."
In Europe, regular unleaded is 95 RON, which is the equivalent of 91 octane (RON+MON)/2 in the United States.
Nickel98 8:49PM (7/27/2009)
I think some people have missed the point of this car (including the Autoblog "reviewer"). Reviewing the features and driveability of this vehicle outside the context it's intended to be used in isn't very informational. My significant other drives one, and I've rather come to enjoy driving it on ocassion. It's true... if you floor the thing in first gear and take it to redline, the time it takes to shift into second has to be measured by a sun dial. But wait, if you drive it like it was designed to be driven, if you start to realize how the power ebbs and flows it is perfectly comfortable and natural to drive both around town and on the freeway. It will never be the "every" car for every person. Those who want a snap shifting dual auto clutch or a good old fashion manual for drag racing will be sorely disappointed. Those who want an insulated, "no driver involvement", slushbox automatic and expect just to mash the gas to go will also be disappointed. Those who see the Smart ForTwo for what it is, a new kind of car perfect for transporting two people in comfort in an economical fashion for an outstanding price will love it.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:29PM (7/03/2009)
Yeah's pretty much how I feel, although I never moved any groceries so I didn't find out about the melting ice cream gig. A couple things did strike me about it. One is that even when turning tight corners, the vehicle doesn't feel like it has the super short wheelbase that it does. It actually handles normally. Another is that (as is alluded to in the article), even though you are basically sitting right on the engine, engine noise is minimal.
All in all, given how small the vehicle is and its small engine, you think it'd be at home in the city (low speeds) and feel like a death trap on the expressway. But actually, it feels pretty good on the expressway because the transmission isn't shifting and the engine is pretty quiet. And in the city where the transmission is doing its herky-jerky shifting it feels like a piece of junk.
I can't figure out who this vehicle is for. A Civic, Cobalt, Yaris or similar will give you 90% of the gas mileage and can carry a lot more stuff and 4 people (5 in a pinch). And you can get them with a decent automatic or a real manual.
This car's design seems salvageable to me, they need to find a transmission that works or put in a real manual. They need to put in a more economical drivetrain that gets better mpg, even if it adds a bit to the price. Maybe a smaller turbocharged gas engine or a turbo Diesel. Do all this and it become a credible commuter car for people who drive a lot of miles and want to save on fuel money doing so.
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Corey 2:03PM (7/03/2009)
At work, we bought a small fleet of smart CDIs about three years ago now, and I still can't quite see why these were chosen. Usually, we're seeing economy in the ~40-50MPG mark. For what these cars cost us initially and in maintenance (oil changes have to be done by Mercedes because of the design of that particular engine - no oil drain plug!) it would've been a much better idea to buy something else. At the time, a Golf TDI would've been a good choice if they wanted a diesel, or even a Yaris or Fit for a small gas car. More storage space, comparable fuel economy, cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain (could've been done by our own maintenance yard), and like you mentioned - proper transmissions. Words cannot describe how horrible the transmissions in these cars are - especially at low speeds.
They are neat cars, but they just don't make sense compared to some of the other offerings.
gearhead18 1:56AM (7/04/2009)
The Canadian Smarts (one of my friends bought one a couple years ago) have a 800cc triple cylinder diesel. It is so quiet all the time and the low-end torque makes it go pretty good, it is equiped with a rocker-type manual, no auto-shift mode. All in all it's a nice little car.
Lee 12:29PM (7/03/2009)
No, they dont get good MPG when you are a 22 yr old over zealous blogger with the poor car on the rev limiter the entire time :)
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 1:08PM (7/03/2009)
Add about a decade to the age of your average overzealous blogger...
Matt (that likes ford) 2:14PM (7/03/2009)
Totally un-called for Lee......
Smegley 12:35PM (7/03/2009)
I don't care if the dash is colorful and cute, it is still made of the cheapest, crappiest plastic ever used in a car in the history of the world.
And yeah, that trannie is garbage. I drove one of these around europe - in a way it's fun but only because you know you don't own the piece of crap. After that experience I'd never buy it.
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joegibes 3:11PM (7/03/2009)
Not to mention lackluster mileage.
I'll take a nearly 20-year-old CR-X and get 40/47mpg (plus some fun) over a Fortwo.
Jim 1:52PM (7/03/2009)
"I don't care if the dash is colorful and cute, it is still made of the cheapest, crappiest plastic ever used in a car in the history of the world."
I find that hard to believe, I've been in a Caliber.
Judy Zik 3:45PM (7/03/2009)
That a company of M-B's level could build a vehicle that drives like a Model T is shocking. That they could get the ergonomics so horrible just makes it worse.
I was seriously considering one of these when they were still diesels (and actually got better mileage) but lost interest fast. Cheap plastics and crappy gauges were bad enough. Next insert the engine up it's a@@ where only a certified Mercedes mechanic charging a first born an hour can get to it. A perfect fit for a econobox. Add in that at the time you had to pay extra for an add on cup holder that they have since made standard. The only problem is it is on the floor????
Look, shift-get whiplash, touch your toes to get your coffee, look, shift-get whip lash and spill your coffee, aw crap where did that truck come from?
combatc87 12:37PM (7/03/2009)
I have a hard time getting behind this thing as a car. It seems to me as though it's trying to be too many things, and very few cars can pull that off. The mileage for a vehicle of this size is disappointing. You can get similar mileage off a Civic, although with more space, a better transmission, and the peace of mind that comes with Honda ownership.
If it had a little more get-up-and-go to make it more like a Mini, it may win some more hearts. As it stands, though, it just seems like it's missing the pep that seems to be the norm for small cars, like the personality you get with a small yapper-type dog.
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