2009 smart fortwo BRABUS coupé Review

The smart fortwo is definitely not suited for everyone. You have a family? Forget it. You play golf? Forget it. You spend a lot of time on highways? Forget it. You’re not environmentally conscious? Well, forget it too.

Studying every little design cue takes hours, especially in the case of my BRABUS tester.

On the other hand, if you need a second car for mostly urban use, you have a real gem right there. The smart sure is tiny -- like, where's the missing half? -- yet it’s probably the queen of city go-karts.

Either you love or hate it; there’s no middle zone. Count me in the first group. Despite the ultra-compact size, styling has been meticulously thought out and executed. In fact, studying every little design cue takes hours, especially in the case of my BRABUS tester. Clearly, the looks of this car don’t come from a Cracker Jack box but rather from a skilled designer’s drawing board.

The limited-edition BRABUS is only available in Deep Black or Silver metallic, so it draws a little less attention than the regular, flashier models. Equipment is very generous, though, including a full body kit, brand-exclusive Monoblock VII alloy wheels, dual chrome-plated tailpipes, a brilliant black-finish fuel filler door and a thin roof spoiler. In short, BRABUS means enhanced styling and aerodynamics.

Inside, it literally feels like a playground. The shapes that make up the dashboard and door panels are unique albeit a tad disconcerting; yet, it’s all ergonomically laid out. What’s more, the smart does not feel as cramped inside as it looks on the outside.

The BRABUS model provides first-class treatment courtesy of leather seats, velvet trim, aluminum pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel sporting the BRABUS logo. Build quality, fit and finish live up to the standards of parent company Mercedes-Benz, so expect nothing but flawless execution.

The purpose of the smart fortwo is quite simple: to carry two people from Point A to Point B in the most efficient manner. As mentioned earlier, occupants will find a surprising amount of room and little restriction. The seat cushions are a bit too firm to be comfortable, however. On the plus side, the driving position is higher than most conventional cars, thereby offering superior visibility.

Build quality, fit and finish live up to the standards of parent company Mercedes-Benz.