Pros and Cons of a Smart Car

When people are thinking about making an expensive buying decision, especially with something as new and unusual as the smart car, they often want to know the pros and cons of the various options they are considering. This article will examine the pros and cons of a smart car.

There is no doubt that the smart fortwo car has its passionate supporters. Before it arrived in the United States in 2007, it had already enjoyed wild success in Europe over several years. But with its small size, there are also a number of concerns.

Pros of a Smart Car

There are many benefits to be considered; don't let its small size fool you!

    Environmentally-friendly. Not only is this small car fuel-efficient, averaging around 40 mpg, but it has several other environmentally-friendly features as well. The smart fortwo car uses innovative energy-efficient and recyclable materials in its construction. In fact, 95% of the vehicle is recyclable and the dash material is made from recycled synthetics.
    Easy to park and drive. The smart car has a very small footprint. At less than 9 feet long, it's nearly 3 feet shorter than the already diminutive Mini Cooper. Of course, a big reason for that is that it's only a 2-seater. But the short size means this car is super easy to park, especially in tight spots or short spots where other cars wouldn't fit. It's also got a great turning radius that makes it very maneuverable.
    Appearance. No one can argue that the smart fortwo car is not unique in its design and appearance. See one, and you will never forget it, whether you like it or not! Many people's first impression is that it is just so darn cute. When Mercedes Benz brought the smart fortwo car to the United States, they updated its image to be more cutting edge, with more chrome, a bit longer hood section and updated headlights and dashboard area. You can also change out the plastic body panels to give it a whole new color, or purchase a car wrap with some kind of unique print or design on it.
    Safety design. Most people's first reaction when they see this tiny car is something along the lines of, "How could such a small car be safe on the road" However, what make the smart car so unique is Mercedes Benz attention to safety. From the innovative tridion safety cell, a sort of safety cage, to its 4 airbags and advanced braking system, the smart car is built for safety. Crash tests have consistently proved Mercedes' safety claims. Anecdotal evidence, as published on the safeandsmart.com website, also supports those claims.
    Surprisingly roomy inside. Another surprising benefit of the smart car is its interior roominess. There is plenty of leg room for both driver and passenger. Head room is great too, with men as tall as 6'6" fitting in the driver's seat comfortably. The cargo area is also quite roomy for a small car. We fit a 50-pound black lab and 2 other dogs in our hatch when we go hiking. And we've toted home as many as 8 grocery bags and a case of soda when we go food shopping.
    Perfect commuter car. The smart fortwo car was originally designed as a "city car" for crowded European city-dwellers, and that is its greatest value in the United States, as well. It makes a great commuter car, with its roominess, solid gas mileage and zippy performance on the roads, not to mention ease of parking.

The Cars That Helped Redefine Their Brands

Over the years, car brands become known for certain traits. Volvos have a reputation for safety, BMWs and Mercedes are refined, while Ford has always had powerful trucks and muscle cars. Yet as the auto industry changes, brands are looking to shake up consumer's perceptions as well.

Car and Driver recently examined some of the top cars set to debut in the next few years that may alter drivers' perceptions of a brand's reputation. At the same time, the news source also mentioned a few of the older vehicles, which can now be found on the used market, that were similar game-changers for their company.

One of the cars chosen was the new Hyundai Equus, as the South Korean automaker typically known for more affordable automobiles is looking to jump into the luxury market. With a $58,000 price tag, Apple iPad owners manual and valet maintenance service included, the brand just might have hit on the small details that many luxury drivers are willing to pay extra for.

The news source says that Hyundai is looking to avoid the pitfalls of the Volkswagen Phaeton, the automaker's attempt at a luxury model. This $70,000 extra-roomy car was a catastrophe in the U.S., although Volkswagen successfully sold the car in Europe, where its still popular. Instead, Hyundai is hoping that the new Equus will go the way of the Lexus LS400. This classic car was Toyota's first attempt at a luxury vehicle and it succeeded beyond the company's wildest expectations, eventually launching an entire brand that is still the most popular luxury nameplate in the U.S. today.

Speaking of Lexus, the luxury brand is looking to go even more upscale with the introduction of its $375,000 supercar, the Lexus LFA. Lexus' cars are typically known for their smooth ride rather than their race-day chops, but the LFA is looking to change that. The car is a substantial upgrade for anything the automaker has offered before, including the IS F, which was previously the fastest Lexus.

Mercedes took a similar strategy with the SLR McClaren, but the news source says the car was too conservative and not enough of an upgrade over the existing vehicles in the lineup. One car that Lexus might be hoping to emulate is the Ford GT. Ford had never made a supercar, but the GT sold like hotcakes and Ford still produces plenty of them today.

Buick is looking to change its reputation as an "old-man car" with the new Regal GS. The new offering from GM features a turbocharged engine, manual transmission and all-wheel drive, making it a performance-focused machine that Buick is not typically known for. GM could be hoping to duplicate the recent success it has had with the second-generation Cadillac CTS, which continues to be a bonafide smash hit for the company.

Innovation is great, but ultimately a good car is a good car. That's why so many of these classic vehicles succeeded. Drivers in the market for a vehicle may want to wait and try out one of these "game-changers" when they hit showrooms, but they should keep in mind that they can likely find the critically-acclaimed cars of yesteryear on the used car market for a substantially lower price.