2012 & 2013 Smart Hatchback Reviews & Ratings

When the CEO of the company that made Swatch watches decided he wanted to use that same strategy on a Smart hatchback and coupe car design, he needed only to find the right company to work with. Feeling that there was a market being ignored that desired a small and stylish vehicle, he began the designs of what he dubbed the Swatchmobile. The first agreement to produce the car was reached with Volkswagen, but it never made it past the concept stage. A new CEO of VW stepped in and shut down th... (full review continues below)

When the CEO of the company that made Swatch watches decided he wanted to use that same strategy on a Smart hatchback and coupe car design, he needed only to find the right company to work with. Feeling that there was a market being ignored that desired a small and stylish vehicle, he began the designs of what he dubbed the Swatchmobile. The first agreement to produce the car was reached with Volkswagen, but it never made it past the concept stage. A new CEO of VW stepped in and shut down the idea and the plans for this new vehicle. That left no choice but to find an alternative manufacturer to help produce the vehicles.

The ideal deal would be struck with Daimler Benz and would result in what was soon to be known as Smart. This division of Daimler AG would focus on manufacturing and marketing the new cars that are known today simply as Smart cars. The biggest hurdle in developing a Smart hatchback and coupe would be the name. While the creator wanted to maintain the name Swatchmobile, Daimler would not agree. Instead they decided to use an acronym that had been used in the company for some time, Smart. It stood for Swatch Mercedes Art and would soon become the name of both the division of the company and the vehicles it produced.

The most widely known Smart car is still the Fortwo. This typical coupe car has also been sold under the name of Smart City Coupe and is easily recognized by fans and those that know little of the company. However, Smart felt there was a need for a hatchback version during a brief time and they introduced the Supermini. While production of the Supermini only lasted from 2004 until 2006, this Smart hatchback was still somewhat popular among hatchback enthusiasts.

The Smart hatchback was a four or five seater car and featured a much roomier interior than one expected upon site. It shared most of its components with the Mitsubishi Colt. Unlike the Fortwo, the Supermini had maximum speeds of 137 mph and could reach 0 to 60 in about 6.9 seconds. This was much faster than its predecessor, the Fortwo that is still being produced today. That coupe model can only reach a maximum speed of 90mph and takes 14.1 seconds to reach the same speeds.

The Smart hatchback was planned to be sold in the United States, but there was a problem with much slower sales than expected. While the Fortwo continued to gain in popularity, the Supermini seemed to decline. Production was stopped on this vehicle and focused back onto the model that was selling well. Smart has not eliminated the idea of the hatchback. They have said that they plan to release a newer model that offers a different drive train. The consensus is that this redesigned version of the Supermini will be released in the 2013/2014 model years.