2009 smart fortwo vs 2008 Toyota Prius

2009 smart fortwo

2008 Toyota Prius

Select style

2-Door Convertible Brabus

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
fortwo 2-Door Convertible Brabus	33	41	$19,521	$20,990
fortwo 2-Door Convertible Passion	33	41	$15,801	$16,990
fortwo 2-Door Coupe Brabus	33	41	$16,731	$17,990
fortwo 2-Door Coupe Passion	33	41	$13,011	$13,990
fortwo 2-Door Coupe Pure	33	41	$11,151	$11,990

Select style

5-Door HB

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Prius 5-Door HB	48	45	$21,064	$22,875
Prius 5-Door HB Base	48	45	$20,210	$21,500
Prius 5-Door HB Touring	48	45	$21,816	$23,770

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$19,521

$21,064

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$20,990

$22,875

Monthly Payment Estimate

$350 / month

$381 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

5.8

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2009 Smart Fortwo is in its element in inner-city streets, but in the suburbs or almost anywhere else, it’ll probably feel uncomfortably toylike.

The 2008 Toyota Prius isn’t that entertaining a car to drive, but it delivers exceptional fuel economy and a roomy interior.

TCC Likes

Electronic stability control comes standard
Better seating space than some exotics
Park it anywhere

Fuel economy
Roomy cabin
Hatchback utility

TCC Dislikes

No freeway passing power
Fuel economy should be better
Jittery, busy ride

Digital gauges
Price premium
Steering feel

Fuel Economy

City

33 mpg

48 mpg

Highway

41 mpg

45 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Minicompact

Mid-size

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

45.4

51.0

Passenger Volume (ft³)

45.4

96.2

Front Head Room (in)

39.7

39.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

48.0

55.0

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

41.9

Second Leg Room (in)

38.6

Second Hip Room (in)

51.6

Second Head Room (in)

37.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.9

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

50.0

59.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.6

Length, Overall (in)

106.3

175.0

Height, Overall (in)

60.3

58.7

Track Width, Rear (in)

53.7

58.3

Wheelbase (in)

73.5

106.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

26.2

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

61.4

67.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

7.8

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

14.4

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

8.0 x - TBD -

7.9 x 1.2

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

10.0 x 0.9

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

Brake Type

Power

Pwr Regenerative

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

8.7

11.9

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

4.0

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

16.4 - 18.3

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

28.7

34.1

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Pwr rack & pinion

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/35R17

P185/65R15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P175/55R15

P185/65R15

Spare Tire Size

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

1896

2932

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

15 x 6.0

Front Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 6.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

4.5

8.2

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

6.5

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

272

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

68 @ 4500

82 @ 4200/295 @ 0 - 1200

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.0/61

1.5L/91

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

70 @ 5800

76 @ 5000/67 @ 1200 - 1540

Engine Type

Gas I3

Gas/Electric I4

Fuel System

MPFI

EFI

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.26

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Automatic

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.23

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.91

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.53

3.93

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.94

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

CVT

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.31

Summary

Vehicle Name

Smart fortwo

Toyota Prius

Body Style

2 Door Cabriolet

5 Door Liftback

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

McPherson

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.83

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Stabilizer bar

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

30.2

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.79

Suspension Type - Rear

DeDion

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Stabilizer bar

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

- TBD -

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