Smart fortwo Electric

Smart fortwo Electric
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Full 2013 smart fortwo Review

What's New for 2013

For 2013, the Smart Fortwo gets mildly updated exterior styling, a driver seat armrest on top Passion models and a leather upholstery option. An electric version of the Fortwo, dubbed the Electric Drive, is also set to debut.

Introduction

Anyone who's ever endlessly circled a city block or mall parking lot in a search of an open spot has seen them: those partial spaces that go to waste because some inconsiderate person couldn't be bothered to park properly within their space. If you can relate, there is a solution: the 2013 Smart Fortwo.

Broadly popular in European cities where bagging the elusive parking space has been raised to an art form, these two-seat coupes and convertibles are quite literally built for the urban environment. At just under 9 feet long, a Smart Fortwo will slide into fractional spaces -- even parked perpendicular to the curb -- that you wouldn't give a second thought to in another car.

For every driver who views the Fortwo's two-seat interior as a liability, there are plenty of commuters and singles for whom this is a non-issue. The Smart car's tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine is also likely to take many prospective buyers a lot further on a gallon of fuel than whatever they're driving now. Then there's the standout styling, which is virtually guaranteed to be a conversation starter in parking lots and gas stations.

All that said, the 2013 Smart Fortwo does have several significant flaws that keep us from recommending it. Topping that list is an irritating automated manual transmission whose herky-jerky action makes for a thoroughly unrefined driving experience. And while this pint-size people mover is certainly capable of reaching highway speeds, lots of road noise, a choppy ride and buffeting from wind and passing trucks will likely discourage long road trips. Finally, while those fuel economy numbers aren't bad, there are now plenty of competing models that offer both a backseat and equal or even superior fuel mileage numbers.