GREEN CHOICE

Smart ForTwo

Name: 2012 Smart ForTwo
Brand: Smart

EPA MPG: 36 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 36 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

The ForTwo's tiny size and turning circle make it a breeze to park. Its tiny engine returns excellent fuel economy. But the ForTwo requires premium fuel and there's little cargo room. Acceleration is slow, the transmission is jerky, and the ride is harsh. The ForTwo finished at the bottom of our subcompact cars. Crash-test results have been good, but the frontal tests only approximate two ForTwos running into each other, not an impact with a larger vehicle.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Smart ForTwo

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Volt

Ford Fiesta

Honda Civic

Honda Fit

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2012 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2012 Smart ForTwo

$3,375 - $4,250

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

$3,900 - $4,625

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

$3,275 - $4,300

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Volt

$4,000

EPA MPG 37 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Dodge Caliber

$3,425 - $4,050

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Fiesta

$2,850 - $3,725

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda CR-Z

$5,425 - $6,300

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Civic

$3,875 - $8,525

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 44 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Fit

$6,300 - $7,500

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Insight

$4,800 - $5,900

EPA MPG 41 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Accent

$4,075 - $4,550

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Elantra

$4,875 - $5,200

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Forte

$3,350 - $4,650

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Rio

$3,425 - $4,250

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Soul

$4,075 - $5,100

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 2

$4,625 - $5,025

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 3

$4,050 - $6,125

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,825 - $16,250

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Cube

$3,275 - $4,475

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Sentra

$3,450 - $4,250

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Versa

$3,275 - $4,275

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Scion iQ

$6,000

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Scion tC

$6,300 - $6,375

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Scion xB

$6,450 - $7,150

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Scion xD

$6,000 - $6,400

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Impreza

$4,975 - $12,350

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Suzuki SX4

$2,800 - $3,900

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Corolla

$6,825 - $7,225

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Matrix

$6,625 - $7,400

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius

$7,675 - $8,350

EPA MPG 48 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius C

$6,675

EPA MPG 50 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius V

$7,775

EPA MPG 42 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Yaris

$4,900 - $6,375

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

$4,825 - $6,425

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Golf

$5,275 - $10,375

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Jetta

$3,975 - $5,375

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

2-door hatchback

convertible

2 front

Rear

1-liter 3 (70 hp)

5-speed sequential

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2016-2019

2016 Redesign Year

Although the second-generation Smart is improved, it's still not a smart choice unless easy parking is a priority. Tiny dimensions and a diminutive turning circle make it a breeze to park. Handling is fairly responsive, but the ride is jittery and jumpy. Noise and vibration from the turbocharged, three-cylinder, 89-hp engine buzzes through the car. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic is better than the original's rocky-shifting transmission but still causes idle vibration. Given the car's size and slow acceleration, you'd expect better than 36 mpg overall on premium fuel. Funky interior details and cheerful colors and textures abound, and the tall stance eases cabin access. For 2018, only the electric-drive version is available. 2019 was the brand's final year.

2008-2015

2008 Redesign Year

This tiny two-seater was one of our lowest-rated cars, though it's good on gas, a snap to park, and easily sparks conversations. Access to the cabin is very easy and the seats are comfortable too. Power comes from a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine that does a decent job keeping up with traffic, but the Smart is very slow accelerating from a stop. It also has a harsh ride, clumsy handling, and an automated manual transmission that has the worst shift quality we've ever experienced. Gear changes are awkwardly executed, causing the car to pause and heave, which rocks occupants fore and aft. We've measured 39 mpg overall, but the Smart requires premium fuel. And, truth be told, given its size, the car really should return much better fuel economy.

2006-2007

2006 Redesign Year

The Smart ForTwo is a tiny two-seater four feet shorter than a Mini Cooper made by DaimlerChrysler. Inside, it doesn't feel as tiny and vulnerable as it looks. With a 40-hp, 0.8-liter, three-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine and a six-speed sequential transmission, it recorded one of the slowest 0-60 mph acceleration time of any vehicle we've tested: 23.2 seconds. The car quickly loses speed when climbing hills. Shifts are disturbingly slow, causing the car to lurch and lose significant speed during shifts. Handling is reluctant. Steering is vague, and the ride is jittery. At 45 mpg, it goes only one mile further on a gallon of fuel than a Toyota Prius. At least it attracts a lot of grins from onlookers.