- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 19,492
- Points
- 3,294
I recently borrowed a 2012 Smart ForTwo. TBH I'm not impressed.
Smart is wider and taller than Panda. Not an improvement.
Steering. Smart is heavy on steering yet still feels dull and wooden. Parking is hard work. Much easier in Panda. The short Smart just ruins its road handling to no real benefit when parking.
Road noise. Both are loud at speed on noisy tarmac.
Ride and handling. If you think he Panda is choppy try a Smart.
Fuel consumption is about the same though the Panda feels quicker.
Smart Auto gearbox is nothing special. From memory, I think the Panda auto was smoother and shifted with less delay.
Smart doors are huge so in car parks they make entry more difficult. The high floor aggravates the issue. Panda with it's smaller doors no problem.
And of course has 4 seats, each with their one door.
Storage slightly better than the Panda but no big deal. Luggage capacity is better but the Panda with rear seat folded is massive in comparison.
The Smart is better for having plastic body panels.
Would I buy one? No thanks. The 10 year old 169 Panda really is a better car.
Smart is wider and taller than Panda. Not an improvement.
Steering. Smart is heavy on steering yet still feels dull and wooden. Parking is hard work. Much easier in Panda. The short Smart just ruins its road handling to no real benefit when parking.
Road noise. Both are loud at speed on noisy tarmac.
Ride and handling. If you think he Panda is choppy try a Smart.
Fuel consumption is about the same though the Panda feels quicker.
Smart Auto gearbox is nothing special. From memory, I think the Panda auto was smoother and shifted with less delay.
Smart doors are huge so in car parks they make entry more difficult. The high floor aggravates the issue. Panda with it's smaller doors no problem.
And of course has 4 seats, each with their one door.
Storage slightly better than the Panda but no big deal. Luggage capacity is better but the Panda with rear seat folded is massive in comparison.
The Smart is better for having plastic body panels.
Would I buy one? No thanks. The 10 year old 169 Panda really is a better car.