2017 smart fortwo vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker

The 2017 Smart ForTwo remains the shortest car sold in the U.S.

Of course, it accomplishes that by offering just two seats—whereas the Chevrolet Spark and Mitsubishi Mirage minicars both offer four seats and five doors.

Smart has the two-seat city car market entirely to itself, now that the Scion iQ minicar has been withdrawn from the U.S.

We view the new Chevy Spark as a far better car than the underpowered Mirage, though the Mitsubishi is getting a number of updates this year.

The Mirage wins on purchase price, as well as the highest fuel-economy of any non-hybrid vehicle on the market.

Then there's the tiny Mitsubishi i-MiEV, an all-electric car with four seats and five doors as well, but a very low 62 miles of EPA-rated range.

That range has doomed the i-MiEV to irrelevance, frankly.

Moving up a size, the Honda Fit represent the clever and flexible end of the subcompact segment.

We like the Honda Fit for its supreme cabin flexibility, and its base model may come in no more expensive than a mid-level Smart.

If the Smart's a style decision, the latest Mini Cooper is larger but also a far better and more enjoyable car to drive—if also considerably pricier.

Still, if ease of parking is your main criterion for purchase, no other vehicle comes close to the new Smart.