Page 5 of 6

Comfort

While you won’t mistake the Fortwo’s passenger cabin for that of a luxury car, we have to say that you’re bound to find it a lot more comfortable than you might expect given the car’s overall dimensions.

Getting in and out is easy thanks to the Fortwo’s relatively large doors and high seating position.  Once settled in behind the steering wheel, we found the seats comfortable enough and the cabin surprisingly roomy with head and leg room to spare.  In fact, when we slid the driver’s seat all the way back on its nine-inch track, we found we could barely reach the pedals and had at least four inches between the roof and the top of our five-foot, ten-inch frame. 

Unfortunately, sliding that seat back and forth is about all you’ll be able to do to fine-tune the driving position.  The driver’s seat isn’t height-adjustable, and the steering column lacks both the tilt and telescope adjustments that are increasingly standard in many new models.  In other words, the Fortwo either fits or it doesn’t.

Controls

Despite this lack of adjustability, the Fortwo’s interior delivers relatively good ergonomics. The ignition key’s placement, low on the center console between the front seats for improved crash safety, takes a little getting used to but most buyers should adapt relatively quickly.   All other controls are logically-placed and easy to operate.  The markings on the temperature controls for the heating and air conditioning system are a bit vague, but they don’t adversely affect the system’s operation. The large gauge cluster is equally straightforward, with an easy-to-read speedometer and bar-style fuel gauge.  We found the Fortwo’s optional tachometer, which is perched in its own dash-top pod, to be a bit too small to be read with a quick glance. The Passion models’ standard stereo features intuitive controls and an easy-to-read LCD display. 

Our biggest complaint here is the business envelope-sized sunvisors, which are so small they border on useless.  Not surprisingly, storage is at a premium.  The combination of a small glovebox, an open shelf  to the left of the steering column, two thin map pockets in the doors, and a pair of cupholders located ahead of the gearshift lever is bound to help new owners learn the joys of traveling light. The compact cargo area behind the seats is another story, however.  Lift up the rear glass and drop the tiny tailgate and the wide opening reveals a space with plenty of room for a week’s worth of groceries or a couple of carry-on size suitcases.  If you need more room, simply lay down the flat-folding passenger seatback. In fact, compared to other two-seaters we can think of, the Fortwo’s cargo area seems downright spacious.

Advice: Selling Points

Distinctive looks make it an instant conversation starter, and a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment makes it convenient. Above average fuel economy makes for a big plus.

Deal Breakers

Transmission’s infuriatingly slow shifts in automatic mode are terrible, and fuel economy/emissions should be better. Other cars in price range offer seating for four or five.

Competitors

Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Focus, Honda Fit, Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris