(Edmunds) Are you the kind of person that only needs a car in which to tool around the city? If so, the pint-sized 2016 Smart Fortwo might be speaking your language. It gets good fuel economy, and its engine is peppy enough to keep up with the flow of traffic. Plus, it can fit in tight parking spots that most others can’t. Find out more about Smart’s tiny city car below.

The 2016 Smart Fortwo is a purpose-built vehicle, and that purpose is to give city dwellers enough maneuverability to slice through congested traffic with ease and park in the smallest of spaces. In this narrowly focused setting, the Fortwo is undoubtedly a success. The problem, however, is that most people will need a car that can also competently take on other roles, and in that regard, the Smart isn’t nearly as appealing.

First, the good news. Compared to its predecessor, the redesigned Smart is noticeably improved, with more interior space, a smoother-shifting automatic transmission and additional features. There’s even a smartphone app that will guide you to small parking spaces set aside for Smart cars in select cities. But longer stints will accentuate the car’s many shortcomings, which include a rough ride, weak acceleration, uninspired handling and some significant comfort issues.

With the discontinuation of Scion’s iQ, the Smart is left without a direct competitor. That said, there are other choices with broader skills that won’t force as many sacrifices. Among these, we suggest the Chevrolet Spark, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta and Scion iA. All of these alternatives are considerably roomier and more comfortable but remain competitively priced and easy to park. Even if you meet the Smart Fortwo’s urban-centric profile, we’d suggest checking out the competition before making that commitment. (Read More)

Rent one today to test it out from Auto Distributors Inc., proudly serving Fulton, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Windsor, Calistoga, Forestville, Sonoma, Napa, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Penngrove and the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in the heart of the Northern California wine country. Read the terms of use policy from Auto Distributors Inc. before your purchase.

This vehicle is offered subject to prior sale; accordingly, there is no guarantee that this vehicle will not be sold to another buyer. Offer expires on the close of business on the date set forth above. Dealer is under no obligation to include or offer any additional equipment, products or services.

Price excludes government fees and taxes, any finance charges, emissions testing, the cost of optional equipment selected by the purchaser, and any charges for dealer/ document fees (except that the price includes charges for dealer/document fees in states where such charges are required to be included in the advertised price).