Smart ForFour 2005 review

Smart is the latest to join the fray with its five-door, four-seater, "small car" in the truest sense of the word.

Its sides have the signature Smart DNA, and its funky doo-da interior is the same as other Smart models sold here - the fortwo and the roadster.

But the plastic is too hard.

The funkster formula is very attractive and a welcome change from the usual style that rules the roost.

Boredom obviously sells, but forfour may have enough "woohoo" value to change some people's mindset.

It deserves attention.

Born of a marriage between Daimler/Chrysler and Mitsubishi, forfour shares its platform and even its "philosophy" with the new Mitsubishi Colt. They are different cars with individual body styles and engines, but if you drive them back to back, there is an uncanny resemblance between them. You can also expect a lot of forfour in the new A-Class Benz.

The Forfour looks fantastic and has a special metal passenger compartment called Tridion. It's lightweight and should be very durable, but I wouldn't want to test it. Some body panels are plastic.

The 1.3-liter manual transmission was finished in a superb Duco bright orange with contrasting black accents that looks like a million bucks.

It's more expensive compared to other offerings in the segment, which sell for $23,990 plus on the road. Only one specification, High Range Pulse, is available for this and the 1.5 liter model.

The test car was missing a few essentials - rear power windows, power mirrors and other things you would expect at this price.

On the other side of the coin is ESP (Electronic Stability Program), which selectively brakes each wheel for stability.

It delivers high performance and incredible fuel economy when using premium unleaded gasoline. The 1.3 will race forward sipping less than 6.0 liters per 100km.

This is a four-cylinder petrol model with a power output of 70 kW/125 Nm.

Since the forfour weighs just under 1000kg, it has excellent performance and is quite acceptable in the city and on the highway, although it rattles at higher revs.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard fare with short travel between gears and smooth action.

A six-speed automatic is available. Handling is sporty but can be caught in bumpy corners. On a straight line and, despite the short base, irregularities are smoothed out normally.

The cabin is impressively spacious, even if the back seat slides. It is attractive and functional, and the sound system in such a car is impressive.

Forfour is all about "styling" but a well built and honest performer with a weighty price tag to the market.