Comfort

[greggw]

Is the car comfortable on a long road trip?

I have read the input on the Smart Car, and seen the number of people tout its safety--the car managed to be in a collision with with a F-350, Suburbans, Hummer, and even a semi, always totaling them out. It could be driven home because of its small size, and the driver/passenger almost never needed medical care. OK, I give some credit to that and assume the posts are actually true.

However, I frequently have to do substantial highway driving, in excess of 1500 miles each direction per trip. I drive Lincoln Town Cars for comfort and safety, as well as economy. The Lincolns got substantially better fuel economy than other smaller cars I drove. Additionally, in the Lincoln I can easily and comfortably be 600 - 900 miles in one day. When I drove smaller cars such as Ford Escort, etc., 400 - 500 miles was a bear.

So, will this car be as comfortable as my Lincoln, and can I comfortably drive 600 - 900 miles per day in it? Will I be as satisfied with the Smart Car as I am with my Town Car? If not, what is about the maximum distance one can comfortably tolerate in the car?

Thanks
greggw

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by greggw

Is the car comfortable on a long road trip?

Depends on how you define "comfort," I think.

I just did a touch under 1,300 miles in two days - back-to-back 600+-mile days - without any problem. I could have gone further the first day but heavy weather in western TN compelled me to hole up for the evening.

Will it be as comfy as the Lincoln? No. It can't be, with half the wheelbase.

Will it be comfortable for long hauls? I certainly think so. But then I come from a background of doing 1,000-mile days on a motorcycle.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by greggw

However, I frequently have to do substantial highway driving, in excess of 1500 miles each direction per trip. I drive Lincoln Town Cars for comfort and safety, as well as economy. The Lincolns got substantially better fuel economy than other smaller cars I drove. Additionally, in the Lincoln I can easily and comfortably be 600 - 900 miles in one day. When I drove smaller cars such as Ford Escort, etc., 400 - 500 miles was a bear.

So, will this car be as comfortable as my Lincoln, and can I comfortably drive 600 - 900 miles per day in it? Will I be as satisfied with the Smart Car as I am with my Town Car? If not, what is about the maximum distance one can comfortably tolerate in the car?

Comfortable, as in floaty-soak-up-the-bumps-land yacht comfortable, umm, definitely not, but not uncomfortable either. It has firmer seats and ride, so it is not "cushy," however I've done 1,500 and 2,000 mile road trips in the car and traveled 500-600 miles a day with no major issues. I did swap wheels/tires for larger 195/50s all the way around, so that helps the ride and stability around trucks, etc. I've never felt unsafe, but I'm also alert.

My only gripes for trips are:

1) No cruise control. But, this can be remedied with an aftermarket unit. My gas leg became uncomfortable before anything else.

2) One trip had continuous high wind during a winter storm. With all the constant correcting, it was tiring. But, any high profile vehicle (van, etc.) was probably experiencing the same thing and it's only been a problem once. If you were constantly driving in a high wind area over long distances, it could be a factor.

3) If you're driving over poorly maintained roads or in construction areas a lot, the ride can be punishing. I had a couple stretches of interstate driving that were awful because of the poor road condition, but thankfully, those were the exceptions. TN had some terrible road sections on I-65S for some reason. I saw a hole on one side of the interstate that could've taken a wheel off a semi!

[RussBarnes]

I've added CC to mine and that has helped. I was one of the pioneers to install rear rims on the front and install larger tires to help the ride. But I still find the seats too firm for my decades of riding in U.S. and upscale foreign cars. My M/B's, BMW's and 911 all had softer seats than the smart. I don't know if some type seat cover would help, but that is about the only thing now that keeps my smart from being "comfortable".

[PerryA]

I second the comfort is a personal definition observation. That said, the Smart is primarily an urban car, hence no factory cruise control. I find the car smooth, quiet and comfortable in longer highway drives (though not approaching your drive).

Things you might miss vis a vis the Lincoln Town Car
Cruise Control - already mentioned
Adjustable steering wheel - eases stress on your arms
Center arm rest - there is an add on
Seat height/angle - the seat shifts a bit as you move back and forward, but you don't have the ability to change the angle so that you might find the angle where it hits your thigh is uncomfortable on long drives. I haven't noticed this, but it differs with the body shape of each driver and you can't compensate as I suspect the Lincoln can with raise/lower and angle of the seat.

The ideal situation is to find a rental and use it in the context you described and see how you like it.

[John_H]

TN is where I enjoyed the last drive in my Z4 roadster much less (sold the car in FL).

I got the heated leather seats in my Smart; when I experienced their leather, I didn't notice a difference compared to the BMW standard I'd gotten used to.

While I haven't been on numerous long trips in the Smart yet, the 10-12 hour drives from Portland to San Francisco and back (with one day between those rides) was quite comfortable.

There are those who will equate comfort with the car's ride handling. If you want a boat in ride quality, the Smart is not for you. With the roadster as what I was familiar with, the Smart was too "sloshy" for me so I tightened things up further with some stiffer springs; I'm much happier with the feel of the car now. The short wheel base lets you know when you encounter bumps, for sure, whether original or stiffer springs. If ride quality is important to you, please consider the (more expensive) Brabus; I hear the ride quality is much better.

I have room to stretch. My back never aches. I can "fidget" a little if I've been in one position too long and regain lost comfort. I do very much enjoy the Smart interior.

[Krootie]

Excellent info from rfernatt and John H.

My two previous cars were Linc. Cont.,the last managing 26 mpg. on the highway when I traded it in for a Smart this spring. I sometimes miss the external "big car feel" - but only in the acceleration power when merging onto expressway lanes. There's far more leg and head room in a Smart compared to a Linc. This Smart has all the extras & more - only lacking the Moon/Sun roof in the Linc. My past life was long trips with 4 women and lots of baggage for conventions.

Now Hubby and I (taking turns) have used the Smart in place of our van on long trips. Find it very enjoyable - only a problem in heavy cross winds across the Alleghenies.

You'll have to ask yourself - if you are really ready for the change. It's a different kind of exhilaration.

[jim123]

Just got back from a 1400 mile trip to central New Mexico from central Texas and back, in two days in the Smart. I have cruise control and it helps alot. I would not worry about going from here to Washington state and back with no issues. Done that in a Dodge pickup several times... The smart would be a lot more fun and less fuel....

[Suze]

I just did 5600+ miles over 24 days (14 "driving" days, 10 "rest" days). My goal was roughly 400 miles per driving day. The smart was very comfortable for me - never got stiff or sore. I have after-market cruise control, which for me is a must.

That being said, if it were my job to routinely drive 600+ miles per day, day after day, I'd prolly choose a different car. But for my style of pleasure tripping, I'll stick with the smart.

Some smart centers are renting smarts now. You might look into taking a rental smart for a nice long drive and see how it goes. You're the only one who can say if it meets your comfort standards.

[jimvw57]

Depending on your needs, like if you are 6'5" and 300+ lbs, you might want to drive the Lincoln.. You will fit in a Smart and for most trips you will be fine. After about 3 hours, I do need a 'stand up break' and usually a Mtn Dew break. If you are hauling lots of stuff, I'd think about the Lincoln. For long hauls, cruise is a must.

Remember, the Smart Fortwo was designed as a around town car. Not a highway traveler. For long distances, you might want the longer wheelbase and extra weight of a larger car.