Mini Cooper vs Smart Fortwo 12/06/2010
The Mini Cooper and Smart Fortwo are typically cited as two of the smallest cars available for U.S. drivers today. So which is the better fit for a driver looking at a subcompact?
Despite the close association between the two models, they're really quite different vehicles. The Smart is smaller in terms of wheelbase (106 inches), engine (3-cylinder 1.0-liter), and price ($12,490). The Mini Cooper is a completely separate class of vehicle, with a $19,400 price tag, four-cylinder engine and a 40-inch longer wheelbase.
Still, it's possible to deduce which is the better value. With just 50 more horsepower than the Fortwo, the Cooper doesn't quite justify it's extra $7,000 in the performance department. With a luxury-inspired interior and seating (albeit cramped) for two extra people, however, the Cooper is overall a much more practical vehicle than the Fortwo.
The Fortwo's extra 4 mpg are nice, but can't really justify all the things drivers will be giving up - cargo space, room for anyone other than one other passenger and a lack of demonstrated safety in accidents with larger vehicles. Sure, it'll be easier for city dwellers to parallel park and the price is nice, but there's a reason the Smart hasn't caught on in the U.S.
For the vast majority of drivers, the Mini Cooper is the more valuable vehicle.