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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
33 MPG in the city and 41
My '06 Ford Focus almost matches that. And its emissions are as low as a Prius.
I couldn't even fit my boogeyboard in a Smart Car! I'd have to put it on the roof. Not to mention, my Focus --or a Yaris, Civic or similarly mileaged car-- is a lot more comfortable and they have back seats.
Overall, I think the Smart Car is hype, aimed at gullible North Americans who are behind the curve when it comes to what's available in the wider world.
Neither of those people have any reason to be so vitriolic in their complaints. They are typical of a vocal minority on here who seem to crop up in every comment section with some ridiculous criticism that has no real substance. Then again that is pretty much the Internet.
You look like a TOTAL DOUCHEBAG driving one! I'm guessing things are a little different out there in Frisco, but when people see someone driving a SmartCar in 99% of the rest of the US, THEY LAUGH!
These are the most ridiculous looking things, and you better be getting ATLEAST 60+ MPG if you're going to reduce yourself to driving one. Heck, new Chevy's get over 30 MPG now, and you don't look like a freaking clown driving one!
In 1990 I bought a Toyota Paseo for $11,000. The Paseo never sold well, and is now discontinued. It was supposed to be a sporty version of the Corolla, but people passed on it because its small 100 hp engine lacked pep.
As long as I had that car, I got 42 mpg. This was in suburban conditions, no bumper to bumper traffic, but on the other hand, plenty of stoplights. Its 10.6 gallon tank once took me 470 miles before a fill up.
The Paseo is slightly bigger than the Smart Car, but outside the city this was no problem. It was small-ish but I never remember it being so small I was intimidated on the highway. Max speed was about 85. One problem with the Paseo, I am sure, was that without airbags and some of the modern safety features it was more dangerous, but I never had an accident in it. The lack of safety equipment probably made it lighter, contributing to the high mileage.
My point is that a car that is now 18 years old still beats the best the bigs have to offer. Why? Why not take the Paseo out of mothballs? It was small, but there was a back seat and four people could squeeze into it. Manufacturers today seem enthralled with new technology, and ignore the old stuff that really worked.
The EPA just changed their methodology. The Smartcar's 33mpg city would have probably measured out at 38 or so if it had been measured two years ago.
So comparisons to the published numbers from larger cars from even a few years back would tend to be unfair to the Smartcar.
I was really excited about the Smart Car, but 33 in town for such a small vehicle doesn't seem that great. I have a Honda Fit which cost me about $16/17 grand and I have been getting combined highway/city mileage of about 33 in the winter and about 39 in the summer. And it's got a crazy amount of space for a small car!!! I bought this to replace my Geo Metro which I had sadly wrecked, which was even better in terms of mileage (and I miss it so!!!). I'm glad I went with the Fit!
Why are so many people saying the Yaris or Civic gets equal or better gas mileage than the smart? I know I haven't been in a math class in a while, but I know that 33mpg city (smart) is better than 26, 28, and 29mpg (Civic, Fit, Yaris respectfully).
While it's probably right that a Japanese engine in the smart would probably fare better in mpg, it's an outright lie to suggest the other cars get better mileage.
There's another reason to look at smart, and that is the manufacturing process which is like no other. The goal is to create a more sustainable car with over 95% of the vehicle recyclable, and a low-waste manufacturing facility.
Also keep in mind that we're looking at gen 1 cars in the States while abroad they're already rolling out micro hybrid versions.
Or are all urban San Franhipsters immune to dings and dents and typical city driving?
BTW Beatniks, I would get a ticket if I head in parked a car on a parallel parking street no matter how small the car is. We contract meter maids to private concerns and they have every reason in the world to write as many tickets as they can. If your inside wheels are either touching the curb or more than 12 inches away you get a ticket.
Also when they tow your car are they going to break it?
Thanks for the reminder, Henry. Under the EPA's old guidelines, the Smart gets 40 city, 45 highway. (Under the old measure, the Prius was 60 city, 51 highway).
I rented a SmartCar in France several years ago. I've also been renting the Toyota Vitz in Tokyo. I agree with everything the author says about the SmartCar. Its even kind of a shock how nimbly it navigates the city, and European city centers are worse than SF for parking and traffic hands down. However, the Vitz is actually a real car. It can drive on the highway, fit 3 adults and two kids, and handle a medium load with the backseat folded forward. Plus, it's no slouch at city driving either (if you've ever driven in Tokyo you'll know that SF will be a breeze).
Bottom line for me: if the mileage and price of the Vitz and the SmartCar are comparable, the Vitz wins in every category. Plus, Toyota's quality is bulletproof and its cars are generally hassle free.
Hmmm... let's see.
The target market is a city dweller who needs to get around town quickly, who doesn't want to spend a lot of time looking for parking, who rarely goes on a highway out of town, and who doesn't usually need to carry much in the way of cargo.
Here in New York, we use something called the 6 train. Beats a Lamborghini Countach downtown every time, and I never seem to have much trouble with parking. I just walk out at the end of the trip and let the conductor park it...
:)
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