2013 smart fortwo Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Despite being States-side since 2008, the urban subcompact smart fortwo receives just a touch-up for 2013, with a full redesign not scheduled until 2015. As smart dealerships now dot the nation, it is becoming apparent this little spitfire is here to stay, but all the neat stuff still goes to the Europeans first. We will get a luxed-up SharpRed limited edition, though, of which just 120 will be released unto the world. Otherwise, the American 2013 smart fortwo carries over with a few cosmetic differences for a more aggressive appeal.
The 2013 smart fortwo receives freshened front and rear ends with reshaped side skirts, the smart logo moved to the grille alongside slightly rearranged lights. Although nothing changed about the 70-hp 1-liter engine and its accompanying 5-speed automated manual, the EPA rated the 2013 at 34 mpg city/38 highway, as opposed to the previous year's 33/41 on the very same premium fuel. If the engine specs didn't give it away already, this rear-wheel-drive subcompact is no sleeper sport, having a zip-to-60 time of over 11 seconds and a reportedly rough transmission.
No nifty-colored soft top or alternative engine choices made their way over the pond, but the new SharpRed limited edition adds some leatherette spice to the dash for no extra charge, whereas the feature is an option for the Pure and Passion. The SharpRed also exclusively gains Napa leather upholstery all around. The Pure is still purely available as a coupe, with the Passion available in both coupe and cabriolet styles and now featuring a driver's-side armrest, but height-adjustable seats and an adjustable steering wheel are still glaring omissions from this strictly 2-seater.
Drivers of the virtually identical 2012 smart fortwo wouldn't exactly call it a pleasure to drive, but they do say it is a pleasure to own as a second vehicle and highly practical. Unlike others in its class, the smart fortwo is praised for making it easy to be green, with no "good" driving habits required to save gas, while never feeling underpowered. It's a bit rough on the highway, as the fortwo's profile causes some wind buffeting, even as a coupe, and the standard powerless "manual" steering takes some getting used to at low speeds, but the fold-flat passenger seat with a pass-through space are big hits alongside the tailgate, capable of holding 220 pounds.
Like most cars in this segment, the interior is surprisingly roomy and functional, but some of the innovations used to accomplish this are not very warmly received. The floor-pivot pedals tend to make the first few days of ownership somewhat awkward, and having a 200-mile range per fill-up could get annoying on longer trips—but that's when smart expects owners to park their fortwo, so no big surprise there. However, the transmission is touted as one of the worst in the industry—probably the worst—with unexpected surges in all gears that smart has so far been unsuccessful in addressing.
User reviews for 2013 smart fortwo
Write a review2013 smart fortwo Pricing
Trims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Total Number of Speakers: 2
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 8.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: passenger
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.53
Exterior Features
Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: de Dion tube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 2
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 8.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: passenger
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.53
Exterior Features
Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: silver-painted · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Roof
Sunroof: solar panel
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: de Dion tube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 12
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 2
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 8.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: passenger
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.53
Exterior Features
Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: silver-painted · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: de Dion tube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 12
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive
