2009 smart ForTwo consumer reviews

The smart is the vehicle journalists love to hate. That's why I suggest it is a vehicle for the right audience. Perhaps the reason it took 10 years to get them in America is that the manufacturer was right, most Americans won't understand the smart. If you are a driving enthusiast, like to drive a manual through the gears, and prefer total control over your driving experience, you will love the smart. My passion cabrio with its paddle shifting (automated clutch) is pure fun to tool around in. If you are an automatic based get me from point A to point B driver looking for ultra-high mileage, you'll hate the smart. It's not meant to be driven like an SUV. Think of a smart being to an SUV what a jet-ski is to a pontoon boat. Two different vehicles for two different purposes and experiences. After you gain experience with its unique transmission, you'll find you are more often the lead vehicle off from a stoplight and because it sits so high, you'll notice the larger SUVs on the road look smaller than they do from a sedan. You should not purchase a smart for mileage, but its 38-41 mpg certainly doesn't hurt. You should not purchase a smart as a family car as it has only two seats, but for a two seat car, it has a wealth of space. Probably more leg room than what you're currently driving. Where beauty is in the eye of the beholder, safety is not. A vehicle that looks safe may place you in high danger; always consult the various safety crash centers' reports to know how a vehicle fares in crashes. When you do, you may be surprised to find that a smart is safer than many vehicles on the road when hit by an SUV sized vehicle, especially in the most common forms of accidents. Lastly, the smart is in a class of its own. The other small vehicles often compared to the smart are in their own class (4-seats, more cargo space, etc.) and do better for their purpose. There will be more smart-class vehicles coming in the near future to compare to, so consider a smart because you want a reasonably priced fun vehicle. Its a great starter vehicle for those who want to get into learning to drive a manual without the learning curve of how to use a clutch (because there isn't one) making it a whole 45 second learning investment.

I bought this car thinking it would be fun to drive, cheap, etc. I was wrong. Cheap: Even for a stripped down version - it will cost 13k.....15k+ if you want "conveniences" like a/c, power steering and a radio...etc. The car gets 43...44 mpg highway (maybe) but you have to buy premium gas....so if you think if it in real terms the reality is that it gets 38-39 mpg in regular gas (factoring a 10-15% higher price for premium) Driving - Uhhhh.....it may have the protective cell...but realistically it seems unsafe.....forget about wind or driving next to a speeding truck....or going up hill w/o falling to 45 mph the reality (myself included) is that th only reason to buy this cars is that it is cool/unique....but the novelty wears off in about a month. Tata motors is making the same car for 3k.... Spend 15-16 k get a car w/ no power or cargo and gets good but not hybrid mileage....or spend 21-22k get a hybrid get 50 mpg.....be able to haul stuff...drive w/ regular gas....have more features....no brainer.... It's cool to drive....but the first grocery shopping makes you reconsider....

Like the Toyota Yaris, the Smart seems to be the type of car that reviewers dislike but owners love. I find our 2009 Passion to be a blast to drive. It's easy to maneuver and park, especially in urban areas. The driver has ample room (everyone who sits in our car is surprised by the roominess, and say it's roomier than their "normal" car) and the seat is high so you are almost on a level with minivans and pickups, thus making you feel very safe on the road. Truly, you don't know you're driving a small car unless you look behind you. The transparent roof on the Passion creates an airy cabin (I call ours the "mini Popemobile"). It has antilock brakes as well as Traction Control (almost unheard-of in a small car). Yes, it requires 91 octane, but it gets great mileage which offsets the higher fuel price. The engine, while small, is "high performance" and requires little maintenance. The transmissions are much smoother since Smart made a programming change to them, and can be driven in Auto or clutchless Manual. Because the car is so small, extra safety measures have been taken, including side airbags and a "safety cell" around the driver which basically turns the entire car into a rollcage (plus the aforementioned ABS and Traction control, rear-engine design, crumpling steering column, and short wheelbase which eliminates T-boning in a side-on impact, all add to the safety). Yes, it only holds two people; yes, it only has room for a few bags of groceries. So it's not a car for everyone--but, then again, neither is a pickup, a minivan, an SUV, or a sportscar. I would recommend it for the urban resident, or as a second car for someone with more than two people in the immediate family. The main drawbacks are the ride (the tiny wheelbase makes every bumpy road a nightmare) and the handling in the wind at high speeds. But the value for the price is great, not to mention it's an eye-catching "iPod" of a car!

I love everything about this car except the lack of cruise control. The 2009 transmission is improved from 2008. Well designed, handles high speed well, comfortable for people over 6 feet. My large dog fits easily in the hatch. Very worth the money. Love the moon roof in the passion coupe model.

I was one of the first to make deposit and bought one, thinking it would be the perfect commuter from the suburb to the city. Wrong! Driving this toy in bumper-to-bumper traffic has shortened my life by a few years due to the nasty transmission. The behavior of the dumb transmission alone warrants changing this car's name. It's only good for running the the grocery store and back. Oh, I forgot: you can only carry a few brown bags. I gave the bug to my niece, who only cares about the attention she's getting from driving it.

I have had the car 3 months an now have 5000 miles.I drive 80 miles a day to work and have never had any problems.The car has limits such as high wind days or large trucks but I am getting 45 Mpg highway so I will take the good with the bad.Fun to drive an always have to answer questions anywhere I go!!