The Smart’s extra 55mm of wheelbase and 43mm extra width translate into a slight increase in interior room. The passenger seat is still offset slightly behind the driver’s seat to create extra shoulder room in what is, at 1260mm, still a relatively narrow interior. Legroom and headroom are plentiful, though, and there’s a large glass area, so the interior feels light and airy.
The straight – rather than S-curved – dashboard (US crash regulations have to contend with passengers who aren’t wearing seatbelts) also aids the spacious feel. Fit and finish are fine too; DaimlerChrysler has looked to alternative materials to up the perceived quality, with some success. The doors and dash are topped with what feels like wound cotton and it feels very classy. But the new Smart is not as funky as it was before; no longer are the heater vents stepped out on little spherical pods, for example.
The ForTwo’s boot is bigger than before but still small, at 220 litres, yet the split tailgate means you can stack loads in it tightly through the glass hatch.
The Smart is an easy car to use around town. The steering could use a little help at very low speeds, but it’s a doddle to park, even if end-on street parking is not as easy as it used to be because of the increased length.
And the ForTwo should prove cheap to run. As well as its economy, insurance costs are low and residual values are respectable.
What’s less convincing is the Smart’s purchase price in the first place. The £8540 of our test car would buy you any VW Fox or Toyota Aygo, a good Fiat Panda, and would get you into most basic superminis. And it would certainly get you a car more suited to other types of driving than the urban ForTwo.
