Smart Fortwo Cabriolet (04-07) - Review

The cabriolet makes the most of the available space, although as there's just a canvas roof, engine noise can be a bit intrusive. Although it's only a two-seater, both occupants get plenty of room and - as it's a tall design, there's plenty of headroom. Models with a glass roof benefit from a light and airy interior. Heated seats are a must for buyers who want the roof down in winter.

There's even less luggage space in the cabriolet than there is in the coupe - the roof mechanism eats into luggage space. An impressive trick is that the roof can be lowered by pressing a button on the keyfob, as you walk towards the car. It's a feature that's normally reserved for Porsche buyers. The roof bars are removable and can be stored in a special compartment in the tailgate when they're not being used.

The steeply raked windscreen allows an MPV-like view forwards and to the sides, but a small rear screen means visibility out of the back is limited. There are a couple of smart characteristics that can take a little while to get used to. The key goes into an ignition switch by the handbrake, not by the steering wheel and you need to have your foot on the brake to get it started. Apart from that the interior is clever, funky and still looks fresh today. A few of the buttons are a bit fiddly to use and some things - like the ashtray - feel a little flimsy, but it's otherwise simple car to drive.