Smart Roadster

The Smart Fortwo cabrio is an absolutely brilliant car for scooting around cities. And unlike the old one it’s tolerable for the roads that connect them. But only tolerable. And expensive. We like the versatile cabrio roof, but don’t confuse it with a full roadster.

• Comfort

  It pitches fore and aft too much ever to feel settled, but the tall driving position and glassy view out are surprisingly relaxing. There's no need to wrestle with a clutch in traffic either.

  

• Performance

  We like the sound of the three-cylinder engine, but you need the turbo version in the Passion, or the Brabus. The flappy-paddle gearshift is slow, but you can learn its ways and get by.

  

• Cool

  In the right environment, very. Like when you nab the last parking space because it's too small for anyone else. Or when you overtake a GTI in a Fortwo Brabus.

  

• Quality

  It's a mini-Mercedes, yes? Well, more or less, though bits of the dash are a bit brittle to the touch.

  

• Handling

  It might look like a phone box but the handling is sorted. It isn’t quite as agile as you’d expect from such a small car, but in town the shortness makes easy work of junctions and tight spots. Out of town it feels no more unstable than some tall SUVs, but the base model’s tyres give awful understeer: go for 195s at least at the front. The Brabus is a hilarious little terrior.

   

  

• Practicality

  Obviously you have to get past the idea this is a two-seater. Anyone who occasionally needs more has to get a regular little car. A Smart's boot isn't a bad size and the passenger seat folds forward, and there are some accessory rear racks for bikes and skis, etc. But you can't fit a towbar.

  

• Running costs

  They don't depreciate much but they're not as economical as you might hope. Still, the main hurdle is the initial cost - Smarts aren't cheap if you kit them out desirably.