Video: 2008 Smart ForTwo

So when we got our hands on one here in Chicago, we decided to put it through its paces. When parking is at a premium, as it is in the city, passing by a too small parking spot can mean you have to circle the block for another 15 minutes looking for one. Now with the Smart, that's less of a concern because it's only 106 inches long. That means it's about three feet shorter than a mini Cooper. So you can get into that tight spot when it opens up. Maneuvering on the narrow streets of Chicago can be a chore if your car has a large turning circle. Thankfully the Smart's turning circle is rather small at about 29 feet. And that could mean the difference between having to do a three-point turn or whipping around in a tight U-turn. Visibility is an important issue with cars in the city because a lot of times on streets, they're really congested. You have cars, pedestrians, buses, all vying for the same space Now with the Smart car forward visibility is actually pretty good. You have good views out the windshield and out your side windows and the A pillars don't get in the way either. When it comes to rear visibility though, these large head restraints right here, they kind of get in the way when you're looking in the rear view mirror. Your view in the rear view mirror is actually pretty narrow. If you live in the city, you know that roads aren't always in the greatest condition. And that can mean for a rough ride if your car has a firm's suspension, like the Smart Fortwo does. For some people, it may be too firm, so it's best to try it out on the worst roads you're likely to experience before you get one of these cars. Overall, the Fortwo is a decent city car, but if you put down a little more money up front, you can buy something like a Mini Cooper or a Volvo C30 that manage to hold their own in the city and also offer more refinement and space. If you're looking for star power though, the Fortwo is the Smart choice. <v Narrator>For additional information on this car or any other go to Cars.com and our blog Kicking Tires.