2009 Smart ForTwo reviews

Smart ForTwo Passion coupe cdi 2009

A great disappointment! I am only averaging 60mpg over some 3000 miles - mostly on urban driving. Compare this with the official fuel consumption figure og 85mpg overall... way off! The agents have had the vehicle for an official Smart MPG Test and they said it gave 74.2 mpg, but when challenged on how the Test was conducted and how the readings were taken, what the accuracy of the mileage and volume of fuel used they could noy say. There was no official Test Sheet shown. I did not have much confidence in the Test. While it was suggested that it might be the way it was driven, when challenged to say exactly what were the effect on mpg, of such things as acceleration, total vehicle weight, air conditioning, electrical loads, etc, no figures were forthcoming. During research and development these effects would have been determined. The engine performance map was not available; for this would show the iso-engine efficiency contours against the engine bmep (or torque) and engine speed. If the fuel economy was so sensitive why did they not put in a "Instant mpg meter" as standard so it would become apparent what techniques would increase the mpg. It was the advertised mpg figures in the mid-80’s that was the most important feature as it appeared to be very much on the "green side", but it has not turned out to be so. I also run a Peugeot 206 1.4l t/c diesel car and over the last 82000 miles an overall fuel consumption figure of 64mpg has been achieved. Why go for a Smart cdi when I can run a Peugeot 206, which has more comfortable ride and longer warranty? While I was prepared to accept the poor ride and 2-year warranty for the Smart cdi, I was expecting to achieved an economy near the adverised figures. (Incidently, the impiications, to me, of the 2-year warranty, is that the company do not have much faith in their vehicle’s reliability, when now manufacturers are offering values up to 7 years!) It seems the manufactures have washed their hands of the situation and are saying really that is all you can expect - goodbye! As you can see, I am disappointed with the vehicle after I had such high hopes. If ride comfort, longer warranty period and fuel economy are important then I cannot recommend this vehicle. It has been a poor invesment and a waste of money, I think.