You’ve seen them. Those tiny, bubble-shaped things wedged perpendicular into a parallel parking spot, looking like a motorized roller skate that got lost on the way to a sci-fi convention. Honestly, looking at pictures of the smart car from twenty years ago is a trip because the design hasn't really aged the way other cars have. It’s still weird. It’s still polarizing.
Most people think of the Smart Fortwo when they hear the name. It was the brainchild of Nicolas Hayek—the guy who basically saved the Swiss watch industry with Swatch—and Mercedes-Benz. They wanted a "city coupe." Something that could dart through Rome or Paris without getting stuck in the narrow arteries of ancient urban planning.
But if you look at modern pictures of the smart car today, things have changed. Drastically. The brand isn't just that tiny two-seater anymore. It’s grown up, gotten bigger, and gone fully electric.
The Evolution of the Silhouette
Back in the late 90s, the first City-Coupe (later the Fortwo) was a revolution in packaging. It used something called the "Tridion safety cell." If you look at high-resolution pictures of the smart car chassis, you’ll notice a distinct C-shaped cage that’s usually a different color than the rest of the body panels. That wasn't just for aesthetics. It was a high-strength steel cage designed to keep the occupants from being crushed since there was basically no crumple zone.
It worked.
The car was tiny, but it was a tank. However, that design dictated the look. Short overhangs. Rear-mounted engine. High seating position. It looked stubby because it had to be. Designers like Johann Tomforde had to fight for every millimeter of interior space while keeping the total length under 2.5 meters.
Then came the weird stuff.
Remember the Smart Roadster? If you find pictures of the smart car Roadster from the mid-2000s, you’ll see a low-slung, lightweight sports car that looks absolutely nothing like the Fortwo. It was a cult classic that unfortunately leaked water like a sieve, leading to massive warranty claims that nearly killed the brand. Or the Crossblade—the one with no doors and no windshield. It was basically a high-speed golf cart for people who didn't value their hairstyles. These variants prove that Smart was never meant to be "just one thing," even if the public only remembers the "bubble."
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Why the Smart #1 and #3 Look So Different
If you search for the latest pictures of the smart car models like the #1 (pronounced "hashtag one") or the #3, you might be confused. You’ll see sleek, aerodynamic SUVs. They look more like a Mini Countryman or a Tesla Model Y than a classic Smart.
What happened?
The brand is now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely (the Chinese giant that also owns Volvo and Polestar). This isn't your grandfather’s Smart. These new models are built on Geely’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform.
- Size: They are significantly larger, competing in the compact crossover segment.
- Performance: The Brabus versions of these cars are legitimately fast, pushing over 400 horsepower.
- Design Language: The "Sensual Purity" design language from Mercedes is evident, with floating roofs and concealed door handles.
When you compare old pictures of the smart car to these new electric SUVs, the DNA is hard to find at first. Look closer at the headlights and the way the roof pillars curve. There’s a softness there that traces back to the original sketches by the Swatch team. They’ve traded "micro-compact" utility for "premium electric" lifestyle.
The Reality of the "Two-Seater" Myth
People love to make fun of the size. They say it’s a death trap.
It isn't.
Actually, the insurance data and crash test ratings from organizations like the IIHS often showed the Fortwo performed remarkably well for its size class. The problem wasn't safety; it was physics. In a collision with a Cadillac Escalade, the Smart car is the billiard ball. It doesn't crumple; it bounces.
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Looking at interior pictures of the smart car, you see how they cheated the space. The passenger seat is actually offset slightly behind the driver's seat. This gives both people more shoulder room so they aren't rubbing elbows the whole time. It’s a clever bit of engineering that most people never notice until they actually sit inside one.
The luggage space? Laughable in the early models. But in the later 453 generation (2014-2019), it actually became somewhat usable. You could fit two carry-on suitcases or a decent haul of groceries. Just don't plan on a trip to Costco for a new TV.
Why Do People Still Buy Them?
For a certain type of person, the Smart car is the ultimate tool.
I’m talking about people in San Francisco, London, or Tokyo. If you’ve ever spent forty minutes circling a block looking for a spot, you get it. You see a gap between a dumpster and a fire hydrant that’s about six feet wide. In a normal car, you keep driving and cry. In a Smart, you just tuck it in.
Modern pictures of the smart car used in car-sharing fleets like ShareNow (formerly Car2Go) show exactly how they became the backbone of urban mobility. They weren't meant for 500-mile road trips across the Midwest. They were meant for the "last mile."
But let’s be real: the transmission in the early gas models was terrible. It was an automated manual that felt like the car was taking a nap every time it shifted gears. You’d accelerate, the car would lurch forward, stop, think about its life choices, and then finally find second gear. It was jerky. It was annoying.
The move to electric—the Smart EQ—fixed everything. Electric motors don't need those clunky gearboxes. Suddenly, the car was smooth, silent, and actually fun to zip around in. If you look at pictures of the smart car EQ, you’ll see the charging port where the gas cap used to be. It’s the version the car was always meant to be.
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Decoding the Visual Variations
When browsing pictures of the smart car, it helps to know what you’re looking at so you don't get scammed on the used market or confused by concepts.
- The 450 (1998–2007): The original. Tiny wheels, almond-shaped headlights.
- The 451 (2007–2014): Slightly longer, more "serious" looking. The one that officially came to the US via Roger Penske.
- The 453 (2014–2019): Wider, more aggressive "face." Shared a platform with the Renault Twingo.
- The Forfour: A four-door version. The first one looked like a weird Mitsubishi; the second one looked like a stretched Fortwo.
- The Concept #5: A rugged, boxy off-road concept that looks like it belongs in a futuristic military.
What to Look for Today
If you’re searching for pictures of the smart car because you’re thinking of buying one, focus on the 2017+ electric models. They have the most modern tech and the most reliable drivetrains.
The brand has officially exited the US market as of 2019, but they are thriving in Europe and China. The new "Hashtag" series is a total reboot. It’s luxury. It’s tech-heavy. It has huge touchscreens and ambient lighting that looks like a nightclub.
It’s a far cry from a watchmaker’s dream of a plastic-bodied city car.
Actionable Insights for Potential Owners
If the pictures of the smart car have piqued your interest and you're considering hunting one down on the used market, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Battery Health: If you're looking at an electric ED or EQ model, use an OBDII scanner to check the battery degradation. These cars have small batteries (17.6 kWh), so every bit of capacity matters.
- The Transmission Fix: For older gas models (451 generation), ensure the clutch actuator has been serviced or replaced. It’s the number one fail point for the "shifty" transmission.
- Tire Specifics: Smart cars use staggered tire sizes (wider in the back). You can't just rotate them front-to-back like a normal car. Check the sidewalls in any pictures of the smart car you’re browsing to ensure the previous owner didn't put the wrong sizes on.
- Roof Issues: Panoramic roofs on the older models are known to "crazing"—developing tiny spiderweb cracks from sun exposure. It doesn't always leak, but it looks terrible.
The Smart car remains a fascinating footnote—and now a major chapter—in automotive history. Whether you love the quirkiness of the old "bubble" or the sleekness of the new SUVs, it’s a brand that refused to be boring.
Explore local listings specifically for the 2016-2019 Fortwo Electric Drive if you want the best balance of the classic "park-anywhere" size with a modern, smooth powertrain. For those outside North America, look into the #1 for a premium EV experience that finally offers enough range for more than just city errands.