2016 Smart Fortwo Overview
The 2016 Smart Fortwo is a subcompact city car designed for urban maneuverability and efficient parking. Distinctive for its incredibly small footprint, it's a niche vehicle that prioritizes a specific kind of driving experience.
Highlights
- Engine & Performance: The 2016 Fortwo is powered by a turbocharged 0.9-liter, three-cylinder engine producing 89 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which offers a smoother shifting experience compared to the previous generation's automated manual. While not built for spirited acceleration, it provides adequate pep for city driving and surprising responsiveness for its size.
- Safety Features: Despite its small stature, the 2016 Fortwo boasts a surprisingly robust safety suite:
- Crosswind Assist: This standard feature actively counteracts strong side winds, helping to keep the vehicle stable and centered in its lane, crucial for a car with such a short wheelbase.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Works to prevent skidding and loss of traction during emergency maneuvers.
- Antilock Braking System (ABS): Prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
- Hill Start Assist: Prevents the car from rolling backward when starting on an incline.
- Driver and Passenger Airbags, Knee Airbags, and Side Curtain Airbags: Provide comprehensive protection for occupants in the event of a collision.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Alerts the driver if tire pressure drops below a safe level.
- Trims: The 2016 Smart Fortwo was offered in two primary trims, both featuring the same powertrain:
- Pure: This is the entry-level trim, offering the core Smart Fortwo experience with essential features for city driving.
- Passion: The higher trim level adds more creature comforts and styling enhancements, often including features like a panoramic sunroof, alloy wheels, and a more premium interior.
- Notable Aspects:
- Unmatched Maneuverability: Its turning radius is exceptionally tight, allowing it to turn around in impossibly small spaces, making parking and navigating crowded city streets a breeze.
- Compact Dimensions: The minuscule length of the Fortwo means it can often fit into spaces where other cars simply cannot, a significant advantage in densely populated urban environments.
- Distinctive Styling: The two-seater layout and unique design make the Fortwo instantly recognizable and a conversation starter.
What to Expect
Owning a 2016 Smart Fortwo is generally a straightforward and often enjoyable experience for those who understand its purpose.
- Ownership Experience: Expect a car that excels at short, low-speed urban commutes. It's nimble, easy to drive, and parking is never a problem. The driving position is upright, offering good visibility of the road and surrounding traffic. The dual-clutch transmission is a significant improvement over previous generations, offering more predictable and smoother shifts, though it can still be a bit jerky at times compared to conventional automatics.
- Maintenance: Like any vehicle, routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, and filter replacements will be necessary. Given its specialized nature, it's advisable to seek out a mechanic familiar with Smart vehicles or a dealership. Parts availability can sometimes be a consideration for niche brands, but for common maintenance items, it's generally manageable.
- Insurance: Insurance costs can vary widely based on location, driver history, and coverage levels. However, because of its small engine size and less powerful performance, it might be perceived as lower risk by some insurers, potentially leading to more competitive rates than larger or sportier vehicles. It's always recommended to get quotes from multiple insurance providers.
Potential Considerations
While the Smart Fortwo has its unique advantages, buyers should be aware of a few potential drawbacks:
- Highway Performance: While the turbocharged engine is adequate for the city, it can feel strained during highway driving, particularly when accelerating to merge or overtake. High-speed stability, while improved over earlier models, is still a compromise due to its short wheelbase and light weight.
- Ride Comfort: The firm suspension, necessary for its agile handling, can lead to a less comfortable ride on rough or uneven road surfaces. Larger bumps and potholes can be felt more acutely within the cabin.
- Cargo Space: The limited cargo capacity is a significant limitation. There's a small rear storage area behind the seats, but it's not suitable for large grocery runs or luggage for extended trips.
- Passenger Comfort: It's strictly a two-seater. While front-seat space is generally adequate, the interior can feel a bit cramped for taller occupants, especially on longer journeys.
- Safety Perception: While equipped with modern safety features, the car's diminutive size can be a concern for some buyers when considering its performance in larger accidents with bigger vehicles.
Overall Summary
The 2016 Smart Fortwo is a highly specialized vehicle that shines in its intended environment: dense urban settings. Its unparalleled maneuverability and ease of parking make it an exceptional choice for city dwellers who prioritize practicality and efficiency in a compact package. While it has limitations in terms of highway performance, cargo space, and ride comfort, for those who need a nimble and easy-to-manage city car, the Fortwo remains a unique and capable option.
