2008 smart fortwo Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The 2008 smart fortwo makes its U.S. debut with a good amount of buzz in the background. An eco-friendly mini-car best suited for urban...
The 2008 smart fortwo makes its U.S. debut with a good amount of buzz in the background. An eco-friendly mini-car best suited for urban roads, the fortwo comes in three trims that sound like tropical drinks: pure, passion, and the passion convertible.
The '08 fortwo measures 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall, and 5.1 wide, with smart claiming you can fit two fortwos in a single parking space. Gas mileage comes out to around 40 mpg, and top speed hits 90 mph. The trunk holds 8 cubic feet of cargo. If you're worried about safety, the smart fortwo features a "safety cell" consisting of three layers of steel.
So far, the fortwo gets props for its unique look and stable ride. On the other hand, remember that the fortwo rides best in the city, so make sure not to veer off onto the highway. Overall, the fortwo looks like a cool car that should do well in a market looking to go green.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2008 smart fortwo find it a cute and fun little car, especially favoring its compact size and easy parking, making it perfect for city driving. However, many feel that its performance lacks power and can be uncomfortable on longer drives. The fuel efficiency and unique design receive positive remarks, while the rough shifting of the transmission and acceleration are common dislikes."
Car needs a lot of work, they admitted the steering assist is broken, but also transmission is shotty very jerky as it's changing gears and a fan belt is going. Place didn't know anything about the car and was passed between people cause one "had to go". Would stay clear of this car
January 31, 2025My wife commutes daily in the Smart. She loves it. The EPA rates this at 39 highway but we have never, since getting past the break-in period, had less than 40 mpg on mixed driving. Typically 42 or there abouts. We don't do long highway trips because the ride is punishing after a while. This is strictly for commuting (22 miles) to work and running to the grocery store. And for that it is great.
October 20, 2013Transmission shifts like a stick shift but is an automatic, which is great if you are use to driving a manual car. Engine has only 71 BHP but can be greatly increased by changing out air filter to a K&N, air intake hose, exhaust manifold, different muffler and adding a turbo kit which you can get either a stage 1,2, or 3 turbo. This car is great weaving in and out of traffic, going in tight places other cars cannot go and turning around when other cars have to back all the way up. Plenty of people are very inquisitive about this car. Sometime this can be annoying and other times it can be fun.
November 11, 2010What owners say
Car needs a lot of work, they admitted the steering assist is broken, but also transmission is shotty very jerky as it's changing gears and a fan belt is going. Place didn't know anything about the car and was passed between people cause one "had to go". Would stay clear of this car
January 31, 2025My wife commutes daily in the Smart. She loves it. The EPA rates this at 39 highway but we have never, since getting past the break-in period, had less than 40 mpg on mixed driving. Typically 42 or there abouts. We don't do long highway trips because the ride is punishing after a while. This is strictly for commuting (22 miles) to work and running to the grocery store. And for that it is great.
October 20, 2013Transmission shifts like a stick shift but is an automatic, which is great if you are use to driving a manual car. Engine has only 71 BHP but can be greatly increased by changing out air filter to a K&N, air intake hose, exhaust manifold, different muffler and adding a turbo kit which you can get either a stage 1,2, or 3 turbo. This car is great weaving in and out of traffic, going in tight places other cars cannot go and turning around when other cars have to back all the way up. Plenty of people are very inquisitive about this car. Sometime this can be annoying and other times it can be fun.
November 11, 2010Great little bomb around car. Acceleration is ok if you use the car in manual mode. Upshift, release the accelerator and reapply the accelerator. The plastic panels are a brilliant idea. The powertrain could be more efficient as we were obtaining only 39 mpg.
January 3, 2009This car is amazingly well rounded. It is perfect around town, on the highway, or anywhere I have needed it.
October 5, 2020This car makes me so happy. I got it and as soon as I stepped inside, I started smiling. The color and the music system and the way it drives are so awesome. You can drive it automatic OR manual, but either way there's no clutch! I'm so happy I got it. It makes my life.
August 31, 2008Extra small doesn't mean unsafe. $11,500 gets you into the most fuel efficient gas only car on the market. I have driven this car 3 times and am now in line for it. Very nice. This is not a sports car. This is a city commuter. Its a bit slow to start, but is fast enough for highway use. Rated 35-40mpg, but some have reported 50+mpg. Great for anyone. Im 5ft 8 inches 150lbs, and fit nicely with my large girlfriend. There are videos of taller and larger people fitting nicely. The transmission is an automated manual. That means no clutch for stop and go traffic. It also has a sequential shifter, so you don't have to worry about which gear it is in, just up or down. It has a light on the gauge that tells you when to shift for maximum mpg. This is a lovely car, so dont knock it before you try it
July 19, 2008great car for getting around in the city. fine for freeway driving, not the best for climbing hills and high speed work but overall, a fine commuter. handling and braking are great - but acceleration is not very inspired... needs about 100 more horses to be a killer!
September 2, 2014My dad owns this car. It would be pretty nice if you have to parallel park in the city or something, but that's about it. He loves it, but it's just not my style.
April 2, 2008Performance- nothing special. 65HP Naturally Aspirated Kawasaki 3-cyl. Build- Decent. Outside is put together really well, inside consist of alot of plastics, but is quality built none the less. Appearance- car is less that 7 foot long. Turns heads. Cost- Premium only, but 35-40 in town, over 50 on the highway. Car is a blast
November 12, 2009Trims & specs
Base MSRP $11,590 | Seating 2 |
Engine 1.0L 70 hp I3 | Cargo Capacity 7.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 37 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $13,590 | Seating 2 |
Engine 1.0L 70 hp I3 | Cargo Capacity 7.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 37 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $16,590 | Seating 2 |
Engine 1.0L 70 hp I3 | Cargo Capacity 7.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 37 | Drivetrain RWD |
