2008 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet Review

Fortwo for the Road

The Smart Fortwo Cabriolet is the smallest and most affordable convertible available, giving urban motorists a fuel-efficient and easy-to-park open-air ride.

The diminutive egg-shaped Smart Fortwo Cabriolet attempts to epitomize stylish urban practicality in an economical package. The car is truly funky-looking inside and out and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it’s driven.

Available in Europe since 1998, the latest generation is new for 2008. It’s built by Mercedes-Benz in Germany and is sold in the U.S. by the Penske Auto Group through a limited network of dealerships, most of which are located in or near large cities. The car is offered primarily on a special-order basis, which means most buyers must wait several months for delivery.

The Smart Fortwo Cabriolet is offered only in a single well-equipped version, called Passion. It also comes in two separate coupe versions, both of which feature an expansive transparent plastic roof panel. The Cabriolet’s power-operated fabric top can either fold open fully, or partially, like a sunroof.

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At a mere 106 inches long, two Fortwos can fit easily into an average parking space, which makes it well suited for those living in congested metropolitan areas. It may not be the best choice for long highway commutes. With a rear-mounted 1.0-liter three-cylinder Mitsubishi-supplied engine delivering only 70 horsepower, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet isn’t capable of quick on-ramp launches and strong passing power.

The Smart Fortwo Cabriolet includes a five-speed sequential-shift transmission that can either be operated manually via steering-wheel mounted paddles or in full automatic mode. The gearbox on the model we tested at the press preview tended to shift sluggishly and unpleasantly, even in manual mode. It felt as if the transmission was being controlled by a teenager just learning how to manipulate a stick shift and clutch.

Riding on 15-inch wheels and tires, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet is reasonably nimble, with a tight turning radius. The wheels are pushed so far out toward the corners of the vehicle that there is only an inch or two of bumper ahead of the tires at either end. Highway stability is surprisingly good considering its size, though it is more susceptible to crosswinds and pavement irregularities (where it tends to get a bit bouncy) at speed than would a heavier vehicle. Power steering is optional across the line.

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It’s only logical that many potential buyers will question the safety of the tiny Smart Fortwo Cabriolet. After all, the laws of physics dictate that a larger and heavier vehicle will usually fare better in a crash than a smaller and lighter one. Still, the Smart Fortwo is built around a durable “Tridon” safety cage and performs well in European crash tests. Front and side-impact airbags are standard, as are antilock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control.

Inside, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet seems far roomier than its exterior dimensions would suggest; cargo room, however, is virtually nonexistent. There’s plenty of leg- and headroom for six-footers, though passengers sit closer to each other than they would in most cars. The seats are sufficiently supportive and attractively upholstered, but are far from being the plushest on the road.

The dashboard is attractively designed with all controls being fairly straightforward. Basic amenities are standard, including a CD changer with subwoofer; a few items like heated seats and fog lamps are optional.

And while the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet is designed for maximum fuel economy — it’s rated at 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway — be aware that unlike most small cars it requires premium fuel, which can cost 20 to 30 cents more per gallon than regular unleaded. According to a Smart spokesperson, the car’s “performance and fuel economy would be compromised,” if regular is used. This requirement tends to negate much of the cost savings in fuel economy, compared to other more powerful subcompact cars that run on regular gas.

What’s more, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet carries only a two-year warranty as a cost-savings measure, instead of the industry average three-year coverage (some companies back their cars for as long as 10 years).