Pretty bad review by consumer reports

[seadave]

These are the same idiots that criticize cars like Acura and Lexus because they don't offer a "stripped down" model with no radio, no AC, etc. Go figure.

seadave

[Bill Marshall]

Nowhere was his bias more evident than in his closing recommendation for the Honda Fit "for the same money & still very good fuel economy."

Well, you can't buy a Fit for the same money. Base price for the Fit = $14,750 vs $11,990 for a smart. That's a difference of almost $3000, a price premium of almost 25%.

And I guess a Fit qualifies as "very good fuel economy" if you consider sub-30 mpg (EPA combined rating = 29 mpg) "very good fuel ecoonomy." He simply didn't have his facts straight.

I didn't have as much of a problem as most here with the CR review, but this video mentions none of the positives from that review (such as excellent reliability, high owner satisfaction, & low purchase price) except mpg & front seat roominess/comfort.

[xrayguy32]

There are so many things that this guy got wrong!!! All I have to say is WOW!!!

[PerryA]

I was a volunteer usher for the Cleveland Orchestra for nearly 20 years and stopped reading the reviews because, as I described it, the reviewer and I went to different concerts together. I recalled that feeling when I saw the CR video - what kind of Smart was he driving? That doesn't sound like my car.

Front end doesn't squirm around like he described. The ride is no harsher than my wife's Scion Xa (her account as well as mine). I don't typically feel much more tug from trucks than other cars and the cross winds seem to feel about as bad as my Toyota Rav4 did - a little bit of high profile there and lighter weight. Transmission, they'll beat that one to death, but Smart owners seem to be pretty much OK with it. Again, I don't see a whole lot of difference with other cars, but then I've been driving manual transmissions almost without exception.

I know I fit an oversized rolling bag (too big for carry on), a duffel that just makes the carry on limit, a rolling carry on, and a brief case in the back of my Smart. My wife had room to hold a backpack on the floor at her feet for the trip to the airport. So, two people and plenty of luggage.

The print edition of CR had pretty much all red dots (half and full) and maybe one clear dot on the scoring in their auto issue. Not much competition there. That looked pretty good for a new model. The Smart was in the sidebar about high mileage and, it should be noted, was the highest mileage non-hybrid. If you want to compare it to the hybrid, you have to qualify your statement. If you're largely a city driver, a hybrid is a reasonable choice and that may offer some advantages over the Fit and the Smart. If you do more highway, the hybrid performance declines relative to MPG. Since the Smart is the only micro car in the US, that should be noted up front. "The closest comparison is the Honda Fit and others in the subcompact class on size, maneuverability, ride, etc. On mileage, the most common comparison is with hybrids like the Prius." That puts it in perspective until there are some direct comparisons available. The sporty feel that isn't there? Just because it has two seats, does that lead to an automatic assumption it was intended to be a sports car?

When it's all said and done, people make car decisions for a number of reasons and quite a few of them trump rational arguments or even data. If you like the throaty roar of a Harley, data about potential hearing loss isn't going to dissuade you. If you like the Smart, it's going to take an overwhelming amount of argument to get you to reconsider. In 9 months with my Smart, I haven't regretted the decision, nor have I missed the Rav4 (which I truly liked - enough to drive it 11 years, and I'd still be in it if not for Smart).

If CR wants to do the public a favor, it should post a warning - Driving a Smart may be addictive.

[GHammerly]

Did you notice how he gracefully opened the tailgate? The smart and the Fit are great cars but very different, people can pick the vehicle that suits their needs better. As you all say, this publication can stick to evaluating appliances.

[gstreetcomic]

Who is this jerk kidding, it is not a sports car but for me, it makes a huge statement that big stuff comes in tiny packages, and i can get more than two suitcases in the back thank you very much. Id personally slap him upside his head if i were that kind of person, but instead ill just do this

PIBBBBSSSSSIIIIIIITTTTTT

BTW this is just his opinon and i already stated mine.

Originally Posted by Carl242

CR gives a bad review about the smart. Not only is it bad in that they think the car is bad, but it is just bad. The host is not only annoying, and clearly does not understand the car, but is also totally biased. When he points out the trunk space "you'll only be able to fit a small suitcase". We all know what we can fit in the trunk, and he fails to mention how much you can fit when you lower the front seat. He also does not mention any of the amazing safety features and ratings this car has.

On his final note--the Fit is a good car, but its not comparable to the Smart. The Smart is in a different category--a micro car. His statement is like saying "the honda fit is useless because its off road capability pales in comparison to the Hummer H2.

YouTube - Smart Car Review from Consumer Reports

[tgobie50]

Listen folks, that guy is a real anal pollop! I gotta be blessed, my little machine out runs everyone else on the expressway here. I leave them in my dust!! Always movin at 3500rpm. 70 / 75 most times, had it up to 85 one night. Like the postal service, this little car will get you thur Wind,Rain, and Snow. I'm just about 1yr old and have 12500 on my clock. The car is tight!
If you love driving, not to hard a choice!

[sberger]

Good example for "Don't believe everything you hear". He was probably in the car 10 minutes, and obviously did not do his homework. The dealers should be up in arms, and maybe in court. Just do it!

[kurt013]

I took Consumer Reports for a year, but didn't renew. They have no soul at all. Everything they review has to conform to predetermined standards, which never seem to be the same standards I would use. It might work for toasters and vacuum sweepers, but any product that invokes passion is way over their head.

[RACNXTG3]

this is why i dont trust consumer reports at all. they keep on bashing on things like this. and that guy is very annoying as you guys said, but i dont have patience for annoying people