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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Smart has the two-seat city car market entirely to itself, now that the Scion iQ minicar has been withdrawn from the U.S.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.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2017 Smart ForTwo is the easiest car to park that you can buy, but if you have other needs, four-seat cars can offer more cabin space, equal fuel economy, and more flexibility. |
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark is one of the best tiny cars you can buy in America, with its laudable array of active-safety systems. |
The 2017 Honda Fit gives up some fun-to-drive spunk for unparalleled interior space and flexibility. |
The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage likely won't delight you or impress your passengers all that much, but it's a lot of efficient transportation for the dollar. |
While the 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is okay around town and holds four adults, its low price tag doesn't make up for inadequate range, marginal acceleration, and a dated interior. |
The 2017 Mini Cooper is still one of the most fun cars to drive on the road today. |
MSRP From | |||||
$14,650 | $13,000 | $16,090 | $12,995 | $22,995 | $20,950 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
31 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 33 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | Coming Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Premium Unleaded I-3 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-3 | Electric | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 |
EPA Class | |||||
Two Seaters | Subcompact Car | Small Station Wagons | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Cars |
Style Name | |||||
pure coupe | 5-Door HB Manual LS | LX Manual | ES Manual | ES Automatic | Cooper FWD |
Drivetrain | |||||
Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Coupe | Hatchback | Hatchback | Sedan | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | |||||
Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2017 smart fortwo vs. 2017 Chevrolet Spark | 2017 smart fortwo vs. 2017 Honda Fit | 2017 smart fortwo vs. 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage | 2017 smart fortwo vs. 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV | 2017 smart fortwo vs. 2017 MINI Cooper |