Smart Crossblade (02-03) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
This mad roofless, door-less smart is not for the faint hearted. It's totally open to the elements and only comes in left-hand-drive. Unsurprisingly only a handful were sold to a few brave (although windswept and rain-lashed) Brits. This is a fantastic car if you live somewhere with year round good weather and you need something to whizz you to the beach but you'd have to be a motorcyclist to try running one as your only car in the UK. However no other car turns heads as much as a Crossblade in February.
2 out of 5

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1 out of 5

Comfort

This car provides zero protection from the elements. Only on the warmest days does it feel refreshing to drive. It's a real test of stamina to drive it any distance in the autumn, winter or spring months. At least the seats are comfortable and supportive. Head room is unlimited.

0.5 out of 5

Practicality

There are drawers under the seats for a little bit of storage space and a tonneau which keeps the litter of the seats. A motorbike with panniers has more luggage space and there's no place for a roof rack.

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3 out of 5

Behind the wheel

You can either vault the side bar to get in (in Dukes of Hazzard style) or lift the door bar up, if you want to be a bit more conventional. The door bars need to be secured in order for the engine to start. Obviously forward visibility is excellent, although the view out of the back is a little restricted, especially as it lacks a rear-view mirror.