With new EV cars getting bigger battery and faster motor, it seems silly to get a car like the Smart ED. With its pathetic cabin size, tiny 17kwh battery and the lack of high tech gadgets, the car is really pathetic on paper. Yet after spending a few days with it, I have to say I get why they are popular in Europe and why I think they deserve a place in people's driveway under some circumstances in cities and suburb.
For people who need a second car for short commutes, the car is absolutely perfect as it can get 45 miles reliably. The car is extremely easy to maneuver around town and the small size actually makes it easier to drive than the long and wide Tesla in tight roads or morning commutes. For 2018, Smart came to their senses and put electric motors in all their cars. Sure the motor is little, but the flat torque curve on this little car makes it drive nicer than most subcompact on eco 1.5L engines. There are no shift delays or pissed off engine revving to redline at every light or hill. The car will quietly do its job. I am not going to lie and say the car is a great highway vehicle, but it can certainly go 75mph if you want to. Still, the car is happiest around town or in slow moving morning commute. I highly recommend partnering this car to your Tesla as a 2nd or 3rd vehicle. If you have other vehicles to take the family out and you are okay with the 50 miles range, I would highly recommend it.
For people who need a second car for short commutes, the car is absolutely perfect as it can get 45 miles reliably. The car is extremely easy to maneuver around town and the small size actually makes it easier to drive than the long and wide Tesla in tight roads or morning commutes. For 2018, Smart came to their senses and put electric motors in all their cars. Sure the motor is little, but the flat torque curve on this little car makes it drive nicer than most subcompact on eco 1.5L engines. There are no shift delays or pissed off engine revving to redline at every light or hill. The car will quietly do its job. I am not going to lie and say the car is a great highway vehicle, but it can certainly go 75mph if you want to. Still, the car is happiest around town or in slow moving morning commute. I highly recommend partnering this car to your Tesla as a 2nd or 3rd vehicle. If you have other vehicles to take the family out and you are okay with the 50 miles range, I would highly recommend it.