Lifestyle choices can determine the need for a specific vehicle. In many cities ride sharing programs have begun and many who live, work and even relax in their city environment make use of public transportation as their mode of travel. While this is a great way to get around, unless your schedule fits the bus or subway exactly you spend a lot of time waiting around, when you could be driving and heading home after work to relax much sooner. For most owning a car when they live in the city they work in doesn’t make a lot of sense, unless it’s a car that is made for city driving.
The Smart ForTwo has always been a car that was made for the city, but the last version of it was a bit clumsy and had a staged seating position which just seems odd. The only real positive this car gave you was that it was a faster way to get around than walking or riding a bike. This certainly was not enough of a selling point to make you want to give up your public transportation routine to own and drive a car in the city.
The new Smart ForTwo which has been completely redesigned for 2016 is actually a lot better than before. This car is now 3.8 inches wider than before which gives it a more aggressive exterior look and a space inside that allows the seats to be side by side instead of staggered. Another key improvement for this car is the six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission which allows for a more mature and impressive driving experience than the old five-speed automatic. Gone are the herky-jerky feelings of driving this car which feels smooth and easy to handle now.
As for other changes, the exterior offers large headlights and a grill that makes the car appear to be smiling which offers this car a look that resembles a small and aggressive dog. Inside the car you have a floating cluster which has the audio and climate controls and a cloth covered dash which is something you don’t see often on any vehicle in the market. Of course you do notice some plastic features and a lack of an armrest, but this is a small urban car which means there will be a few tradeoffs to have a car that works well in the city.
The engine is almost laughable as a 0.9-liter three-cylinder engine that comes in with 89 horsepower. No, that’s not a joke and yes that really is the engine size and power, but it’s actually more than enough to give you the power you need for the city driving you will enjoy. The fuel mileage may not be as high as you would think as it comes in at 33 city/39 hwy mpg, but that is still enjoyable and will make it so you don’t have to stop at the gas pump very often at all.
Features you can enjoy on the Smart ForTwo include a navigation system, a backup camera and parking sensors which make it much easier for you to park this tiny car, even though it’s really an easy car to park anywhere. At the price you pay for this car the fact that you can carry more stuff home, drive anytime you want and enjoy the freedom of leaving the city if you so desire the starting price of $15,400 are extremely reasonable. If you do choose to add a few options you can find this car reaching up over the $20,000 mark very quickly.
As an urban driver the Smart ForTwo makes perfect sense to give you the freedom and ability to drive where you want when you want to, consider this car as a serious alternative to public transportation or ride sharing and enjoy what the new ForTwo has to offer.
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