smart roadster BRABUS Road Test

smart roadster BRABUS

Rivals

• Alfa Romeo Spider, Hyundai Coupe, Mazda MX-5, MGF & Toyota MR2

What We Liked

• Performance and handling
• Engine & exhaust note
• Turbo waste gate whistle
• Exterior and interior styling
• Kudos
• High level of safety equipment
• Attention to detail

What We Disliked

• The cabin awkward to get in and out of
• Engine noise at speed - Sometimes it was thrilling and but after long periods it became intrusive

What We'd Like To See

• A larger version
• A manual gearbox option

Build Quality

A BRABUS version of the smart roadster has been long awaited and it does not disappoint. As you would expect of DaimlerChrysler the build quality is excellent and the materials used are of a very high standard and should prove durable in the long term.

Value For Money

This is subjective, the £16,695 price tag might seem expensive - of course you could buy a much more practical car for less money. However, one thing is for sure its not going to be as thrilling to own and drive. You are paying for the exclusivity of the smart BRABUS badge but when compared with other sports cars that offer this much fun you could easily double or treble your money.

Overall Opinion

Pound for pound there is little to beat the thrills to be had with the smart roadster BRABUS. It can compete with any sports car even the so-called 'serious drivers cars' - their owners would still envy you this car. Of course it is compromised by its size this is part of its attraction and we would recommend a fitting before buying - but if you can live with its size limitations or if it is a second or weekend car then it comes highly recommended. It provoked numerous comments and caused a sensation amongst other road users, pedestrians and other smart owners like nothing else we've driven.

Smart Reviews

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