We say In its most basic form it’s the cheapest drop-top on the market, if an awkward and unusual one.Performance Just two 0.7-litre engines are available with the Smart Fortwo cabriolet in the form of a 74bhp unit and a less powerful 61bhp option. The 74bhp unit is only available with Brabus trim and clears 60mph in less than 12 seconds. The 61bhp makes the cabriolet much more sedate, clearing 60mph in 17.7 seconds. Both offer more than enough pep around town but they’re poor on the open road.Emissions The less powerful 61bhp unit is the most efficient in the range, returning 60mpg and emitting 113g/km. That’s great for a cabriolet but poor for a car of its size and power.Driving The Fortwo cabriolet nips around town brilliantly thanks to its short wheelbase, tight turning circle and compact dimensions. Steering is light but only with power steering which is an option. It struggles on the open-road where its engines are underpowered and need working hard and long.Feel The engines are noisy onboard the Fortwo cabriolet and the ride is rough and ready. There’s some bodyroll around corners but a lot of crashing and banging is felt over potholes and bumps in the road.Space There’s lots of space for two occupants with plenty of headroom with the roof in use. Unfortunately when the roof’s down the boot space is reduced massively from its original 150-litres.Equipment Electric windows and central locking are standard. CD player and power steering are options only.Price The Smart Fortwo cabriolet is officially the cheapest cabriolet on the market but when you get down to the details, it’s not cheap. It’s a very basic car and an impractical one at that so a start price of almost £9,000 is probably asking a bit too much. Running costs should be ok but there are much more practical and economical cars on the market for the same price, if not cheaper.Quality The Smart Fortwo is built by Mercedes so there shouldn’t be any issues with reliability. The interior is strong and well put together but there’s a lot of cheap-feeling plastics onboard.Safety ABS, stability control and two airbags are standard. No deadlocks or alarm.Pros The Smart Fortwo cabriolet is good fun to drive, excellent around town and distinct. It’s the cheapest cabriolet on the market.Cons In reality the Smart Fortwo cabriolet isn’t cheap and it is impractical. Emissions and fuel economy figures aren’t impressive anymore either.Alternatives Nissan Micra CC, Citroen C3 Pluriel, Daihatsu Copen
