Smart ForTwo

Name: 2009 Smart ForTwo
Brand: Smart

EPA MPG: 36 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 36 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The ForTwo's tiny size and turning circle make it a breeze to park. Its tiny engine returns excellent fuel economy. But the ForTwo requires premium fuel and there's little cargo room. Acceleration is slow, the transmission is jerky, and the ride is harsh. The ForTwo finished at the bottom of our subcompact cars. Crash-test results have been good, but the frontal tests only approximate two ForTwos running into each other, not an impact with a larger vehicle.

2009 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Smart ForTwo

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

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2007

2008

2009

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2015

2016

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2019

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2021

2022

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2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2009 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

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$3,375 - $3,575

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

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Features & Specs

2-door hatchback

convertible

2 front

Rear

1-liter 3 (70 hp)

5-speed sequential

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Model History

2016-2019

2016 Redesign Year

Although the second-generation Smart is improved, it's still not a smart choice unless easy parking is a priority. Tiny dimensions and a diminutive turning circle make it a breeze to park. Handling is fairly responsive, but the ride is jittery and jumpy. Noise and vibration from the turbocharged, three-cylinder, 89-hp engine buzzes through the car. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic is better than the original's rocky-shifting transmission but still causes idle vibration. Given the car's size and slow acceleration, you'd expect better than 36 mpg overall on premium fuel. Funky interior details and cheerful colors and textures abound, and the tall stance eases cabin access. For 2018, only the electric-drive version is available. 2019 was the brand's final year.

2008-2015

2008 Redesign Year

This tiny two-seater was one of our lowest-rated cars, though it's good on gas, a snap to park, and easily sparks conversations. Access to the cabin is very easy and the seats are comfortable too. Power comes from a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine that does a decent job keeping up with traffic, but the Smart is very slow accelerating from a stop. It also has a harsh ride, clumsy handling, and an automated manual transmission that has the worst shift quality we've ever experienced. Gear changes are awkwardly executed, causing the car to pause and heave, which rocks occupants fore and aft. We've measured 39 mpg overall, but the Smart requires premium fuel. And, truth be told, given its size, the car really should return much better fuel economy.

2006-2007

2006 Redesign Year

The Smart ForTwo is a tiny two-seater four feet shorter than a Mini Cooper made by DaimlerChrysler. Inside, it doesn't feel as tiny and vulnerable as it looks. With a 40-hp, 0.8-liter, three-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine and a six-speed sequential transmission, it recorded one of the slowest 0-60 mph acceleration time of any vehicle we've tested: 23.2 seconds. The car quickly loses speed when climbing hills. Shifts are disturbingly slow, causing the car to lurch and lose significant speed during shifts. Handling is reluctant. Steering is vague, and the ride is jittery. At 45 mpg, it goes only one mile further on a gallon of fuel than a Toyota Prius. At least it attracts a lot of grins from onlookers.