Consumer Guide rates the for two.

[micmou]

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...t-fortwo-1.htm

[SmartBob]

Cool! I need to spend more time reading this but how can they have a class average when there is nothing else in their class?

[Carnut]

Whether it be Consumer Digest, Consumer Guide, Consumer Reports, etc. I have NEVER had fun nor purchased any car that they rated highly. <yawn>

[Iceberg]

Thier ratings of cars can really be hit or miss. Yes Hondas & Toyotas are always best buys, however some really good cars can be passed over w/o proper research. We owned a '03 VW Turbo Beetle for 4 years and put over 90K miles on it. When we bought the car new, it had recived terrible reviews by Consumer Guide. We had no problems with the car and my wife really loved it. Additionaly, several years ago there was quite a controversy about the low rating that the new Porsche Boxster had recieved. When Porsche & Porsche Club members pushed for an answer they found out that the number one consumer problem with the car was the size of the cup holder...lol. These ratings & guides are simply tools that should not replace test drives and other forms of consumer research.

[jwight]

Looks like they put in the subcompact class because the don't have a microcar class. Liked the "low buck" comment, the engine "groans" during acceleration and lack of cargo space (6 grocery bags). I'm not sure they even understand the mission and design goals of the car.

[Lewis]

The smart is an emotional purchase and consumer guides rate cars on rational bases- not even speaking the same language.

[sharonlee]

Originally Posted by Lewis

The smart is an emotional purchase and consumer guides rate cars on rational bases- not even speaking the same language.

I agree. I was torn between the Honda Fit and Smart. I drove the Fit twice and failed to find it "fun." Sure, much more practical, but if you can afford a few giggles in life, I say go for them.

[sisyphus]

Sharonlee, sounds like you've made up your mind in favor of our little smarties! Good for you!!

Consumer mags like these should stick to testing toasters.

[jonnysan]

yeah, No kidding, Jwight. I liked Smartboy's summation alot better even though his findings may be alittle bit biased as would mine if I were he. His correlations to the improvements over the 450 I think were well noted.

[valbeck]

Did CR drive the Canadian Smart or the North American Smart?