Smart ForTwo CDi -- 71.3 mpg (US) verified

[HoosierRon]

Italian magazine verifies Smart ForTwo CDi mileage figures

When the second-generation Smart ForTwo entered production earlier this year, its EU mileage ratings put it at the top of the heap for internal combustion engined cars by a pretty wide margin. On the EU combined cycle the diesel version was rated at 71.3 mpg (US) with CO2 emissions of only 88 g/km. The Italian magazine Quattroruote decided to see if that was achievable in the real world. They laid out a 1,000 km route consisting of highways, traffic jams, mountain roads and urban settings in Rome, Balzano and Salzburg. The bottom line is that they consumed 33 L of diesel to cover the distance, matching the official ratings.

An Aveo gets a combined 32 mpg.

[Rex Raider]

An Aveo holds 4 or 5 people, and has room for extra luggage.

[mgescuro]

So... is the Smart FourTwo CDi using Bluetec?? Can't get it in CA.

[Old Dood]

That seems to be great mileage but, I don't know if I could handle driving something that small.

[mrfunji]

The Smart ForTwo is seriously half the size of an Aveo.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

That seems to be great mileage but, I don't know if I could handle driving something that small.

It really really really doesn't feel small when you're driving it. Maybe it's because of the headroom. It felt just like any other small/midsize car once you're behind the wheel.


Whenever we hear about these kinds of things getting XXXmpg (US), I think it's wise to remember that its mileage was converted to U.S. gallons. It's NOT what it would get on the U.S.A.'s EPA cycle.

[Al465]

Originally Posted by mrfunji

The Smart ForTwo is seriously half the size of an Aveo.

I've seen one in a parking lot the other day. To me I think it's a coffin on wheels. One may ask "is that worth the gas savings"?

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by Buick61

It really really really doesn't feel small when you're driving it. Maybe it's because of the headroom. It felt just like any other small/midsize car once you're behind the wheel.


Whenever we hear about these kinds of things getting XXXmpg (US), I think it's wise to remember that its mileage was converted to U.S. gallons. It's NOT what it would get on the U.S.A.'s EPA cycle.

The point of this article is that the Italian magazine tested it in real world, on-the-road. This test confirmed the European cycle test results. So regardless of what the EPA test results would be, the car GETS 71.3 mpg.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by Rex Raider

An Aveo holds 4 or 5 people, and has room for extra luggage.

Yes, so if you're looking for a car to seat 4 or 5 people, the Smart won't cut it... but if you're the only person who's usually in the vehicle, or only have one passenger... the Smart is the way to go. The point here is that Smart offers a vehicle that gets over double the fuel mileage of the most frugal GM.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

The point of this article is that the Italian magazine tested it in real world, on-the-road. This test confirmed the European cycle test results. So regardless of what the EPA test results would be, the car GETS 71.3 mpg.

I see what you mean.

On the other hand, Prius owner's can GET 71 mpg, but that's not the way most people drive. I'm sure in the hands of a typical U.S. driver, 71.3 might never be acheived, and I'm sure that the new EPA cycle would reflect that.

[E. Haskell]

.......at least until the Volt gets here.

The Smart may be a good car for some, but with the gas version costing $14k+ - how much would a diesel version cost for the US? $20K?

A $20k 2-seater with no luggage space? I want a diesel car with no sacrifices and 50+mpg.

[rueben44]

Originally Posted by Al465

I've seen one in a parking lot the other day. To me I think it's a coffin on wheels. One may ask "is that worth the gas savings"?

Right on the money because many will be saving gas and money so that someone can pay for their funeral services.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

That seems to be great mileage but, I don't know if I could handle driving something that small.

No doubt it's tiny. I drove one while working in London and honestly, from the inside, it doesn't feel that small. It's fun to drive, too.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by Buick61

I see what you mean.

On the other hand, Prius owner's can GET 71 mpg, but that's not the way most people drive. I'm sure in the hands of a typical U.S. driver, 71.3 might never be acheived, and I'm sure that the new EPA cycle would reflect that.

But this was a car magazine, an Italian one... you know they were boucing the car off it's speed limiter most of the time!

[GM LS-X]

0-60 in about 19s if memory serves. No Joke