Pros and cons of a smart car

When people are thinking about making an expensive purchase decision, especially with something as new and unusual as the smart car, they often want to know the pros and cons of the various options they’re considering. This article will examine the pros and cons of a smart car.

There is no doubt that the smart fortwo car has a passionate following. Before coming to the United States in 2007, he had already enjoyed great success in Europe for several years. But with its small size, there are also a number of concerns.

Advantages of a smart car

There are many benefits to consider; Don’t let its small size fool you!

  • Environmental friendly. Not only is this small car fuel efficient, averaging around 40 mpg, but it also has several other eco-friendly features. The smart fortwo car uses innovative, recyclable and low-consumption materials in its construction. In fact, 95% of the vehicle is recyclable and the dashboard material is made from recycled synthetic materials.
  • Easy to park and drive. The smart car has a very small footprint. At less than 9 feet long, it’s almost 3 feet shorter than the already diminutive Mini Cooper. Of course, a big reason for that is that it’s only a 2-seater. But the small size means this car is very easy to park, especially in tight spots or short spots where other cars won’t fit. It also has a large turning radius which makes it very manoeuvrable.
  • Appearance. No one can argue that the smart fortwo car is not unique in its design and appearance. See one and you will never forget it whether you like it or not! Many people’s first impression is that it is so cute. When Mercedes Benz brought the smart fortwo car to the United States, they updated its look to be more edgy, with more chrome, a slightly longer hood section, and updated headlights and dash area. You can also change the plastic body panels for a whole new color, or purchase a car wrap with some kind of unique print or design.
  • Security design. Most people’s first reaction when they see this little car is something like “How could such a small car be safe on the road?” What makes the smart car so unique, however, is Mercedes Benz’s attention to safety. From the innovative tridion safety cell, a kind of safety cage, to its 4 airbags and its advanced braking system, the smart car is designed for safety. Crash tests have consistently proven Mercedes’ safety claims. Anecdotal evidence, as posted on the safeandsmart.com website, also supports these claims.
  • Surprisingly spacious inside. Another surprising benefit of the smart car is its interior spaciousness. There is plenty of legroom for both driver and passenger. Headroom is also excellent, with men up to 6’6″ fitting comfortably in the driver’s seat. The cargo area is also quite roomy for a small car. We fit a 50 pound black lab and 2 other dogs in our hatch when AND we have brought home up to 8 grocery bags and a case of soda when we go grocery shopping.
  • Perfect commuter car. The smart fortwo car was originally designed as a “city car” for Europe’s crowded city dwellers, and that’s also its greatest value in the United States. It’s a great commuter car, with its spaciousness, solid fuel economy and spirited performance on the highways, not to mention ease of parking.

Cons of a smart car

Of course, no car is perfect for everyone, and this one is no exception. It has some features that could be improved, as well as some aspects that make it the wrong choice for certain people.

  • size against other cars on the road. Despite its considerable safety features, there is no doubt that the smart car is much smaller than any other vehicle on the road. Therefore, there is a good chance that if you are involved in an accident with a large SUV or truck, you could lose out. However, there are accounts of smart cars outperforming larger vehicles in an accident. An advantage of its reduced size is that it could avoid collisions that a larger vehicle could not.
  • Without cruise control. As mentioned above, the smart car was designed as a type of city car. Perhaps that’s why, despite other high-end features, it lacks a cruise control option. If you plan to travel in it or your trip involves driving on the highway, chances are you’ll miss cruise control.
  • Unusual transmission. Smart cars have what’s called an “automated manual transmission.” What that means is that you have the option to go fully automatic or use a modified manual transmission. Most people find that keeping it on automatic means a slightly slow gear change. However, that is easily fixed by switching to automated manual mode. This is a clutchless manual transmission, which means you’re in charge of using the shifter or paddle shifters on the steering wheel to shift gears, but you don’t have to coordinate with a clutch. Manual mode is very easy to use, even if you’ve never operated a shifter before, and provides a much faster gear changing experience.
  • Limited passenger seating and cargo space. Smart cars only have 2 seats: the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. So they are not meant to be family cars. And while the cargo hatch area is surprisingly roomy, it’s still less than 8 cubic feet. Therefore, you will not be transporting wood or large furniture on it.
  • Gas mileage could be higher. For such a small car, you’d expect much better gas mileage. However, the smart car was rated the most fuel-efficient gasoline car in the United States by the EPA in 2010. And even at 40 MPG, it’s considerably more fuel-efficient than most trucks and SUVs on the road. highways today.
  • Requires premium fuel. The smart car requires premium fuel, which can be expensive due to the small size of its engine. Smaller engines tend to run better on a higher grade of fuel. You might think of gas mileage as compensation for more expensive gas.

When weighing the pros of a smart car against the cons, I find that the pros win. For what it is designed to be (a vehicle for 1 or 2 people), the smart car is a great value with lots of added benefits. It could be better? Sure, as with most products, there’s definitely room for improvement. But, if you want a forward-thinking, upscale, fuel-efficient small car, I’d definitely encourage you to consider the smart fortwo.

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