Since its debut, the Smart Car has carved out a distinctive niche in the automotive industry. Its compact size and design tailored for urban environments have redefined city cars, particularly in a market like the U.S. that typically favors larger vehicles. So, what distinguishes the Smart Car, and what is its weight? CarBuzz provides a comprehensive analysis of the Smart Car’s history, weight, safety features, and how it competes with other subcompacts in the current market.
All key information has been sourced from Smart and Mercedes-Benz directly, unless stated otherwise.
A Brief History Of The Smart Car
The Smart Car brand, a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Swatch, first appeared on European streets in 1998. Its distinctive style and very compact size quickly garnered it a dedicated fan base. However, it wasn’t until 2008 that the Smart Fortwo was introduced to the United States. American drivers, particularly those residing in densely populated urban regions, quickly appreciated the vehicle’s compactness, making city driving easier and parking hassle-free while also minimizing fuel consumption. For consumers in the U.S., the Smart Car was available in four variants, including the convertible fortwo Cabrio and an electric version.
Yet, despite its unique charm, the Smart Car struggled to maintain a strong presence in the American market. The growth of electric vehicles and larger, more fuel-efficient subcompacts detracted from the Smart Car’s popularity. By 2019, Smart made the decision to withdraw from the U.S. market, leaving a legacy of pioneering engineering and a reputation for being impressively lightweight.
After much careful consideration, Smart will discontinue its battery-electric smart EQ fortwo model in the U.S. and Canadian markets at the conclusion of MY2019.
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The Unique Construction And Dimensions Of The Smart Car
The Smart Car stands out for its compact dimensions. Measuring just 106.1 inches in length for the 2009 U.S. model (even less for earlier European versions), it is shorter than most standard automobiles by several feet. The car’s compactness allows it to fit into unconventional parking spots, which are often inaccessible to typical-sized vehicles. Additionally, its narrow width enhances its turning radius, making it exceptionally suitable for squeezing through tight spaces and narrow city thoroughfares. Here are the 2009 model’s key dimensions:
- Length: 106.1 inches
- Width: 61.4 inches
- Height: 60.7 inches
What further distinguishes the Smart Car is its lightweight structure. It features a reinforced steel safety cage, known as the Tridion Cell, paired with lightweight plastic body panels. This innovative design provides efficiency while also ensuring a degree of safety for its occupants. The result is a strikingly low weight compared to other cars in its category.
How Much Does The Smart Car Weigh?
For many fans of the Smart Car, a common question arises: what does a Smart Car weigh? Depending on the model and trim, Smart Cars typically range from 1,500 to 2,200 pounds. The most popular model, the Smart Fortwo, weighed 1,808 lbs in the 2009 model year, while the cabrio version weighed 1,852 lbs.
This weight is impressively light for modern vehicles. For comparison, most subcompact cars, such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, typically weigh between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds. The Smart Car’s weight is intentionally reduced due to its streamlined design and the use of lightweight materials.
|
Model |
Curb Weight |
|---|---|
|
fortwo (2009 model) |
1,808 lbs |
|
fortwo Cabrio (2009 model) |
1,852 lbs |
|
fortwo Electric Drive (2015 model) |
2,094 lbs |
|
fortwo Electric Drive Cabrio (2015 model) |
2,138 lbs |
How Safe Is The Smart City Car?
Given its small stature and lightweight design, many wonder about the safety of the Smart Car. Nevertheless, despite its size, the vehicle boasts strong safety features, primarily thanks to its unique Tridion safety cell. This steel cage envelops the occupants, designed to absorb and dissipate energy during a collision, similar to how a race car’s roll cage protects drivers.
Smart Car Fortwo Safety Features:
- Tridion Safety Cell
- Front Airbags
- Side Airbags
- Stability Control
- Anti-lock Brakes
The Smart Car has been subjected to rigorous crash testing in both Europe and the U.S., yielding results that might astonish skeptics. Although its crash test ratings don’t mirror those of a full-sized sedan or SUV, it performs well compared to other subcompacts and city cars. Standard features like front and side airbags, stability control, and anti-lock brakes bolster its solid safety profile.
However, when the Smart Car is measured against larger vehicles, it becomes evident that size affects crash protection. Physics dictates that in a collision with a significantly larger vehicle, the Smart Car is at a disadvantage. Still, in urban settings where most accidents occur at lower speeds, the Smart Car is as safe as any other subcompact available.
How Does The Smart Car Compare To Other Subcompacts?
With its unique size and weight, the Smart Car might seem unmatched. Nonetheless, several other subcompact vehicles in the U.S. market offer comparable urban features, albeit with notable differences in weight and structure.
- Mini Cooper: A primary competitor of the Smart Car, this model weighs approximately 2,600-2,700 pounds—nearly 1,000 pounds heavier than the Smart. While the Mini provides more space and luxury features, it compromises the extreme lightness that defines the Smart Car. This added weight also affects the Mini Cooper’s fuel efficiency and its ability to maneuver in tight spots.
- Chevrolet Spark: Before its discontinuation, the Spark was one of the smallest cars in the U.S. It weighed about 2,200 pounds, making it lighter than many subcompacts, but still heavier than the Smart Car. The Spark comes with four doors and more interior space, but sacrifices the Smart’s compact design.
- Fiat 500: This well-known small car is popular in urban environments. The Fiat 500 weighs around 2,400 pounds, offering a bit more power and luxury, but it falls short of the Smart Car in terms of weight and ease of parking.
In terms of weight alone, the Smart Car is undoubtedly the lightest vehicle in its category. If the question is how the Smart Car compares with other city cars, the answer is straightforward: not much at all. Its lightweight design allows it to excel in areas where many others struggle—like maneuverability, parking, and fuel efficiency.
Final Thoughts: A City Car Like No Other
The Smart Car is crafted with urban settings in mind. Its compact size, lightweight construction, and innovative design anchor it as an ideal solution for navigating the congested streets of large cities. With a weight just under 2,000 pounds, the Smart Car redefined expectations for commuter vehicles. Although it is no longer available in the U.S., its impact on microcar design and lightweight engineering remains significant.
For those interested in understanding the Smart Car’s weight and its implications, it’s evident that these figures go beyond mere numbers. The weight of a Smart Car enhances its functionality as an urban transport vehicle, ensuring efficiency, safety, and user-friendliness. It is designed to thrive in city environments, solidifying its unique position in automotive history.
Sources:
Smart
,
Mercedes-Benz
.
