The rivals
OK, ok. Those who worship at the altar of smart will no doubt deem the following comparison sacrilegious. It is a fact that many smart cabrio buyers will also have considered the MX-5 or the New Beetle and Cooper convertibles as alternatives.
These are the buyers who probably settled on the smart to appear, well, smart. The brand’s strategists confirmed that uniqueness weighs heavily in the selection process of smart car buyers. But so does its itsy-bitsy size, which allows you to park it virtually anywhere and turn on a dime. With an extremely narrow track and a wheelbase 30% shorter than that of the MINI Cooper, it’s not surprising that the Alsatian car is so nimble.
Another detail links the smart to the MINI: the Spartan comfort of the ride. In the city or on the road, it’s the same story: the stiff suspension with its limited travel doesn’t deal well with cracks, potholes (avoid the big ones!) and any other road distortion. To drive a smart is to learn to what it feels like to be tossed around.
On the flip side, the cabin proves very liveable. Large doors ensure easy access and the interior space is well-suited for someone who is 5’9”. I can vouch for that!
However, the automatic sequential transmission is not for the faint of heart. I even doubt that the majority of smart owners will one day manage to shift gears without systematically disturbing their passenger, especially in manual mode.
Luggage? Think bikini and toothbrush
Obviously, the trunk is small. We knew that. You can load four to five grocery bags side by side. If you’re planning a short getaway, plan on bringing a small, ahem, very small suitcase, especially if you’re taking someone with you.
But the space isn’t the only problem with the trunk. First, to accommodate large packages you’re forced to condemn the passenger seat and fold it forward. Only then does it become possible to load a bulky package like an air conditioner or a wide-screen tv.
Aha, but to open the hatch you first have to insert your fingers in the tiny recess over the licence plate where the release button is found. A careless setup that seems kind of jerry-rigged to me.
So, moving on, lifting the hatch when the top is in place uncovers a 14-cm opening through which you can load your gear. That’s just big enough for those small suitcases the airlines allow us to bring as carry-ons.
OK, ok. Those who worship at the altar of smart will no doubt deem the following comparison sacrilegious. It is a fact that many smart cabrio buyers will also have considered the MX-5 or the New Beetle and Cooper convertibles as alternatives.
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| The cabin is spacious, as our colleague, host Donna Mei-Ling Park, can attest to. |
These are the buyers who probably settled on the smart to appear, well, smart. The brand’s strategists confirmed that uniqueness weighs heavily in the selection process of smart car buyers. But so does its itsy-bitsy size, which allows you to park it virtually anywhere and turn on a dime. With an extremely narrow track and a wheelbase 30% shorter than that of the MINI Cooper, it’s not surprising that the Alsatian car is so nimble.
Another detail links the smart to the MINI: the Spartan comfort of the ride. In the city or on the road, it’s the same story: the stiff suspension with its limited travel doesn’t deal well with cracks, potholes (avoid the big ones!) and any other road distortion. To drive a smart is to learn to what it feels like to be tossed around.
On the flip side, the cabin proves very liveable. Large doors ensure easy access and the interior space is well-suited for someone who is 5’9”. I can vouch for that!
However, the automatic sequential transmission is not for the faint of heart. I even doubt that the majority of smart owners will one day manage to shift gears without systematically disturbing their passenger, especially in manual mode.
Luggage? Think bikini and toothbrush
Obviously, the trunk is small. We knew that. You can load four to five grocery bags side by side. If you’re planning a short getaway, plan on bringing a small, ahem, very small suitcase, especially if you’re taking someone with you.
But the space isn’t the only problem with the trunk. First, to accommodate large packages you’re forced to condemn the passenger seat and fold it forward. Only then does it become possible to load a bulky package like an air conditioner or a wide-screen tv.
Aha, but to open the hatch you first have to insert your fingers in the tiny recess over the licence plate where the release button is found. A careless setup that seems kind of jerry-rigged to me.
So, moving on, lifting the hatch when the top is in place uncovers a 14-cm opening through which you can load your gear. That’s just big enough for those small suitcases the airlines allow us to bring as carry-ons.
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| The trunk is suitable for one city dweller and can accommodate a few grocery bags. But if you’re shopping for 4, you’d better go for the Grand Caravan! |