![]() The 5-speed automated manual transmission is notorious for poor performance, even by the standards of a slow city drive. Smart Fortwo’s reliability is also affected by its gearbox. The tightly-packed engine is very difficult to work on, which skyrockets the cost of labor no matter the type of service or repair. A new timing chain with the labor can cost you as much as $2,000. However, keep in mind that the replacement interval is between 75,000 and 95,000 miles. If considering buying a used Smart car, make sure to inspect it thoroughly for mechanical faults.īecause the engines are chain-driven, they require less frequent maintenance. Some owners have reported no issues even after 100,000 miles, with a record being 450,000 on a company-owned model. Luckily, he was covered by warranty, but the remaining Smart cars in the USA aren’t anymore. An owner of a 2015 model has total engine failure after only 22 thousand miles, with replacement cost being $14,000. Smart cars take the biggest drawback of the Mercedes brand, which is the expensive maintenance, and combine it with a fairly unreliable engine. One would assume that a strong connection with Mercedes-Benz would be a benefit for Smart. On the street, parallel parking will be easier, but due to its size, you could park at a 90-degree angle to the parking space, and still fit within boundaries. ![]() If allowed, Smart can squeeze into the same spot with your other car, saving you a parking space. However, it compensates for it with fairly quick charging times of 40 minutes on the public charging station, or 2.5 hours through a home outlet.ĭespite the increased fuel consumption, Smart has one benefit over the majority of city cars – its parking flexibility. The final year of Smart Fortwo uses an all-electric power system, with a range of only 63-68 miles. Toyota Prius, a heavier and larger car can get 51/48 mpg thanks to its hybrid system. In the same model years and class range, many competitors achieve greater fuel economy than Smart cars. ![]() The older 1-liter 3-cylinder engine and the short-lived 0.9-liter 3-cylinder engine achieve at most 38-39 mpg on the highway or 35-36 mpg of the combined drive. Despite their size, petrol-powered smart cars are not the most efficient vehicles on the road. Fuel Consumption & Rangeįuel consumption doesn’t have much to do with the lifespan of a vehicle, but it’s important to note when it comes to Smart Fortwo. Now that we’ve covered a brief history of Smart in the US, this guide will take you through the 7 important factors to consider if you own, or plan to buy a Smart car. However, it was short-lived, as the company decided to pull out of the US marketplace in 2019, due to the high costs of homologating and insufficient sales.ħ Factors To Consider When Buying a Smart Car On its 10th anniversary in the US, Smart released a limited-edition Fortwo Coupe to celebrate its success. In 2017, Smart USA decided to discontinue all petrol-powered Smart cars, and focus solely on all-electric production. The third-generation Smart Fortwo Coupe was released in 2016, alongside Fortwo Cabrio. Smart Cars in The USAĭespite their popularity in Europe, Smart cars saw limited availability in the US, with the first cars arriving in 2008. Keep reading to find out more about the major problems of Smart cars. However, this is an optimistic estimate, as the cost of repairs will significantly reduce the viability of driving a Smart car. In a moderate climate, Smart can last up to 20 years without major problems. With proper maintenance, Smart cars can last at least 150,000 miles, but there have been examples that have crossed as many as 450,000 miles. The company was founded in 1994, with their first model – Smart City-Coupe released in 1998. The Passion comes equipped with the Softouch system, an automatic transmission.Smart is a division of Mercedes-Benz specialized in creating microcars with a unique design and distinct presence on urban roads. Drivers shift with a tap of the shift lever, although some reports indicate this system creates lag between shifts. While technically a manual transmission, the clutch isn't required. The Pure and the Pulse are equipped with the Softip transmission system. All three are available with a 61-horsepower engine. Only the Pure, the low-end model, is available with a 50-horsepower engine. These reflect an increase in luxury features such as a leather-covered steering wheel, a glass roof, air conditioning and a better stereo system. Each body style comes in three different models: Pure, Pulse and Passion. It comes in a coupe version with a solid roof and a cabrio version with a retractable canvas roof. ![]() The Smart Fortwo seats two with enough room in back for some groceries. ![]() Most of the versions differ only in terms of the body shape and comfort features in the interior. The Smart Fortwo comes in several variations, along with a few limited edition versions. Image courtesy ©1998-2006 DaimlerChrysler. ![]()
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