Should you buy a Smart ForTwo?

For a tiny, yet still reasonably premium city runaround, the Smart ForTwo has managed to carve out its own little niche. Cheap to run and with superb maneuverability, it’s also got the Kudos of a Mercedes-derived badge, yet that’s pretty much where the ForTwo hits its limits.

Take it out of town and the little Smart feels woefully overwhelmed thanks to an uncomfortable ride and fidgety mid- to high-speed handling. Cars such as the VW Up and Fiat 500, although not quite as maneuverable in the city, deliver a far superior all-round driving and ownership experience.

‘Useful in the city, but seriously compromised elsewhere, the Smart ForTwo will make the ideal car for a niche sector of buyers. Slightly larger rivals offer a better all-round proposition, however. ‘

– James Dennison

If you’ve got your heart set on a ForTwo then bear in mind that there’s a huge amount of personalisation on offer, so make sure you pick carefully. While many schemes will reflect your personality, remember that if it’s a bit wacky you might struggle to sell the car when it becomes time to move on.

While there’s a decent amount of luggage space considering the car’s dimensions, make absolutely sure it’ll cater for your specific needs. Does your biggest suitcase fit? You may not find out until it’s too late, otherwise. Don’t forget that ForFour is only a slightly dearer…

We’re expecting the vast majority of ForTwos to have the more economical 1-litre engine, and we reckon that’s the better to drive, too. It’s worth trying both, though, as if you drive on the motorway from time to time you might value the extra grunt of the 0.9 turbo on a slip road. However, you’ll soon only be able to buy these cars used, with the electric powertrain replacing them.

If you’re after a good deal, it may pay to visit a car supermarket or online broker. These buy cars in bulk, so you’ll have little-to-no chance of personalisation, but you may be able to save yourself a few quid. It’s worth visit a Smart dealer too, though: the ForTwo is only going to make up around a fifth of Smart sales, so they may be eager to do a deal to get them moving off the forecourt.

Read more: Smart ForTwo leasing deals