Excellent fun for the cheapest car in the UK (Smart & Passion)

Member Name: muscleboots

Product:	Smart & Passion
Date:	07/09/01 (646 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy parking, Fun, Different

Disadvantages: Left hand drive, Image

Availability: I bought a Mark V Smart Passion. This is the very latest model, at the time of ordering there was a bit of a wait. The impression of the showroom was that you can have one in two-to-three weeks, but I ended up waiting several weeks with little or no news. This was because, although the specification of my car was not unusual, there were none in stock in this country. **Update: A new computer ordering system and volume supply of UK Mk Vs has improved this situation**.

Options: Some of the options that were available on the Mk IV have gone, some of the options for the Mk V were not available: these were... "speakers upgrade" for the stereo, which is vital to get a good sound **Update: I have had this done at the smartcentre since**; leather/heated seats; alarm system upgrade, although the immobiliser alarm is adequate. All of these were put down to the differences between the Euro and UK wiring looms. All of these will feature on the right hand drive model, though. **Update: leather/heated seats are now available**

Left-hand-drive: Until early next year, all Smarts are Left-hand-drive, although all the rest of the features are UK-spec. Many people will not be happy with LHD, because they know it can be a hinderance when overtaking and at car-park barriers, but this is where the Smart is different: its so narrow that the difference between the left side seat and the right-side seat is so small and reaching over for a car-park ticket is no major problem because of the ample room in the cabin. The handbrake and gearshift being to my right is something that I quickly got used to, even when swapping to a Golf and back. **Update: RHD is available from Nov.2001**

Impressions: The new interiors remain "funky", but the colours are more drab (dark blue, grey or dark red) **Update: also Pulse now has lime interior!**, although this means fewer distracting reflections in the glass. The ride is a bit hard, as the suspens
ion is particularly stiff to avoid excessive body-roll, but this means that road-holding is very good and although the car is marketed as a city-coupe, it is great fun on the country roads using the semi-automatic 6-speed gearbox. Blustery winds on a motorway have the same effect as on any tall-sided, lightweight vehicle but the solid construction makes it seem safe and sturdy. Having come from a New Golf to a car that is half the price, I was surprised at all the standard features. One of the surprise features is all the smiles that you get from all types of people (not just those who appreciate cars) as you drive it around town. The very worst expressions you get are from people who can make out quite what it is - a puzzled look. You can feel the Mercedes influence around the car in the build and rigidity of the car.

Niggles: There are a few things about the car which are disappointing: the quality of the standard speakers **Update: upgrading speakers costs £90 or £220 at the smartcentre, depending on option chosen**; the engine cover catch, which is fiddly to locate; the top-up points, which are difficult to open and fill; and some of the controls are in awkward places: the headlight dip angle control, computer display switch, front fog lights, tailgate release are examples.

Performance: During the run-in period from new and whilst cold, the gear changes are less smooth, but once run-in and warmed up, the Mercedes engine is very sprightly. The acceleration is normally adequate and due to the engine being small, the revs have to go quite high to achieve brisk acceleration, but the turbo and twin sparks mean that it does this without making a huge song-and-dance about it.

Safety: My car comes with the fully automatic "SOFTouch" gear-change program in the computer, which can be unpredictable at times, but seems to make a sensible choice of gear in all circumstances, particularly in town traffic. The electronic brakeforce distribu
tion, ABS and traction control keep everything under strict supervision. Visibility is interesting, as when you look over your shoulder, you end up looking out of the back window. Depending on the angle you reach a junction, turning left to join traffic means looking around your passenger, but that equally applies to turning right in a RHD car.

Accommodation: I am quite long in the torso, so finding a car that I could easily fit into in the past with plenty of headroom was difficult unless I wanted to spend money on an MPV - and I wanted a smaller car. The space for two people in the Smart is vast - like a van - much greater than most other cars of all sizes that I have driven. The "boot" is adequate, for a weekend suitcase or a week's shopping for two and the folding passenger seat means that the car can swallow a lot more than you would otherwise expect. The (optional) under-seat drawer takes the place of a glovebox, which is because of the passenger airbag. The seats are sportily supportive and despite the fact that the steering wheel is neither reach or rake adjustable and the seats not height adjustable, a suitable "upright" driving position is easy to find and comfortable.

Like many other unusual cars, it is best to get the opinions of other Smart owners before you buy - and the UK Smart Owners Clubs offers free online membership at http://www.thesmartclub.co.uk

Summary: