Compare the2018 Volkswagen BeetleVS 2017 Smart ForTwo

The Beetle has standard post collision braking, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The ForTwo doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Beetle Coast/SE’s blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The ForTwo doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Beetle Coast/SE’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The ForTwo doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Beetle SE has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The ForTwo doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Beetle and the ForTwo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and available rear parking sensors.

The Volkswagen Beetle weighs 870 to 1222 pounds more than the Smart ForTwo. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The Beetle comes with a full 6-year/72000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The ForTwo’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 22000 miles sooner.

The Beetle’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the ForTwo’s (10/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 24 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Smart dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Beetle’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Beetle’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the ForTwo’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Smart vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 25th in reliability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Smart is ranked 30th.

The Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 85 more horsepower (174 vs. 89) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 100) than the ForTwo’s 0.9 turbo 3 cyl.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Beetle uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ForTwo requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Beetle has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the ForTwo (14.5 vs. 8.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Volkswagen Beetle comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the ForTwo.

For better stopping power the Beetle’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ForTwo:

The Volkswagen Beetle has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ForTwo. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Beetle has a standard Hydraulic Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The ForTwo doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

For better traction, the Beetle has larger standard tires than the ForTwo (215/55R17 vs. 155/60R15). The Beetle’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ForTwo (235/45R18 vs. 185/50R16).

The Beetle’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ForTwo’s optional 50 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Beetle has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the ForTwo. The Beetle’s optional 18-inch wheels are larger than the 16-inch wheels optional on the ForTwo.

The Volkswagen Beetle’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Smart ForTwo only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Beetle has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Smart ForTwo has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Beetle has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Beetle flat and controlled during cornering. The ForTwo’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Beetle’s wheelbase is 26.3 inches longer than on the ForTwo (100 inches vs. 73.7 inches). The Beetle Dune’s wheelbase is 26.4 inches longer than on the ForTwo (100.1 feet vs. 73.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Beetle is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 4.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the ForTwo.

The Beetle has standard seating for 4 passengers; the ForTwo can only carry 2.

The Beetle Coupe has 39.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ForTwo (85.1 vs. 45.4).

The Beetle Coupe has .1 inches more front legroom and 7.3 inches more front shoulder room than the ForTwo Coupe.

The Beetle Convertible has .1 inches more front legroom and 7.3 inches more front shoulder room than the ForTwo Cabriolet.

The Beetle Coupe has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the ForTwo Coupe (15.4 vs. 9.2 cubic feet).

The Beetle Convertible has a larger trunk with its top down than the ForTwo Cabriolet with its top down (7.1 vs. 6.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Beetle easier. The Beetle’s trunk lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the ForTwo Coupe’s liftover is 28.7 inches. The ForTwo Cabriolet’s liftover is 29.2 inches.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Beetle has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The ForTwo doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Beetle Convertible’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The ForTwo’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Keyless Access optional on the Beetle allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Smart ForTwo doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Beetle SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ForTwo doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Beetle’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Smart charges extra for heated mirrors on the ForTwo.

The Beetle’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ForTwo doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Beetle SE/Dune’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The ForTwo doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Insurance will cost less for the Beetle owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Beetle with a number “1” insurance rate while the ForTwo is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Beetle is less expensive to operate than the ForTwo because it costs $117 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Beetle than the ForTwo, including $71 less for an alternator, $8 less for a fuel pump, $184 less for front struts and $449 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Volkswagen Beetle outsold the Smart ForTwo by 14% during the 2017 model year.