smart ForTwo 2000–2003 car dimensions: 2500 mm long, 1537 mm wide and 1549 mm high. Unladen weight is 740 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 150 litres.
The two-seat cabin has a playful layout with round controls, a central console for radio and climate, and simple analogue instruments. An electric folding soft top opens in stages for open-air driving, with removable side rails stowed in the tailgate. Air conditioning is standard on passion packs in some markets and optional elsewhere. Electric windows and central locking are common. Cruise control arrived as an option from 2003. No advanced driver aids appear in the records for this generation.
Boot space starts at 150 litres behind the two seats. It expands to 260 litres with the rear bow folded or by adjusting the seats forward. The twin-section tailgate and storage for roof rails keep the load area usable with the top down.
Payload is listed at 260 kg. No towing capacities or heavy-duty options for cooling or suspension appear in the published specs for this generation.
The two-seat cabin is compact and upright with a high driving position. Soft-top opens in stages via switch for partial sky view or full open-air after removing side rails stored in the tailgate. Seats are integral safety design with fixed headrests. Higher grades add leather trim and optional heated front seats plus air conditioning. Instruments sit in a central pod. Overall feel is basic and city-focused with limited storage.
Petrol models use 0.6-litre turbo three-cylinder. diesel cdi available later.
Combined fuel use stated around 4.8 l/100 km petrol and 3.4 l/100 km diesel.
Service every 15 000 km or 12 months with A/B inspection cycle.
Euro NCAP adult rating three stars.
Standard kit includes tridion cell, dual full-size airbags, belt tensioners and force limiters, ABS.
Cabrio adds reinforced structure and high-strength roll-over bar. side airbags optional. ESP standard from 2003.
Fuel economy is strong for the era thanks to the light weight and small three-cylinder engines. Petrol turbo versions return combined figures near 4.8 l/100 km while the later cdi diesel sits near 3.4 l/100 km. Early cars carry a 22-litre tank. capacity rose later on petrol models. Expect frequent fills on longer runs but low running costs in town.
Servicing follows a simple A/B pattern every 15 000 km or once a year. Oil and filter changes form the core of each visit, with air filter and plugs added on B services. Parts prices stay low and the car is straightforward for independent workshops familiar with the Mercedes-derived components.
Safety centres on the rigid tridion cell shared with the coupé plus cabrio-specific reinforcements and a thick roll-over bar. Dual full-size airbags, pretensioners and force limiters are standard. side airbags were optional. ABS is fitted across the range and ESP became standard in 2003. The structure matched the closed model’s crash performance in manufacturer tests and earned three stars for adult protection in Euro NCAP.
Living with the car means accepting tiny luggage space of 150 litres and only two seats. Body panels resist minor knocks and never rust. Soft-top fabric and plastic rear window need care to avoid scratches. Overall reliability is solid if oil level is checked regularly and services kept up. common weak points are early turbo units and front suspension joints on the first cars.
Length 2500 mm, Width 1537 mm, Height 1549 mm, Wheelbase 1812 mm (ForTwo 2000–2003)
Sources: manufacturer data, DaimlerChrysler smart fortwo technical data.