Sections: In the Press | R55 (Clubman) Jun 3rd, 2008 18 Comments 
Here is a brand new comparison we haven’t seen before. Cars.com pit the MINI Cooper Clubman against the new Scion xB and the Smart ForTwo. The results were interesting.
Did the Clubman win biggest head-turner? That went to the ForTwo. It didn’t win the performance category either. In fact, you have to scroll down to the ride and handling category before you see a Clubman victory.
The compliant suspension offers the comfort expected by everyday drivers without diluting the car’s handling abilities, which are impressive.
It also won best cabin aesthetics, which shouldn’t be surprising. But, that’s all it did win, yet still managed to pull off the Editor’s Choice award. I’m not saying it shouldn’t have won. I am, however, questioning the math used to calculate the outcome.
[ Faceoff: Iconic Car ] Cars.com
ulrich Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
The Smart’s mileage figures are pityful considering it has a 3-cyl., 1 liter engine. Unless we get the diesel version which may hit 60mpg, the tradeoff in utility is questionable for many people.
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Jon Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
Think it wasn’t a bad comparison.
While a Smart will never be a performance car and the xB will never be aesthetically pleasing to my eye I think both have more than a few owners who are perfectly tuned into what those cars offer.
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dave Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
+1 for the smart being dumb
i’d rather plunk down the $15k for a civic or corolla, even yaris, than a smart
plus, it just doesn’t look that smart
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DBM Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
I second a Yaris instead of a Smart. The small savings you get in MPG is really offset by it’s impractically and the lack luster driving experience, and price. Bottom line you are paying for a name with out anything backing it.
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GSP Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
The Smart Car is a City Car, plain ‘n simple, and its most compelling feature is ease of parking. In any other situation it is seriously compromised. The MINI and the Scion are real world cars that can operate in a variety of situations; those are the only ones that should be compared.
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Dave MacMini Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
As one of our Canadian reviewers said, for the price of a Smart, I can buy a Hyundai Accent 3-door with a back seat, a Vespa scooter and have enough left over to buy a jaunty cap! As a MINI owner, and having driven a Smart many times as well (diesel version) I can tell you that you get looked at in the Smart, but the drive is not great compared to the MINI. However, it is still a hoot to drive, as long as you avoid freeways and high winds. If it cost 10 grand it might be a good deal, but for the money, unless you want to be noticed, there are better cars out there.
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Bilbo Baggins Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
You might think the Smart Car is a city car, but here in CT you see them running up and down the highways all of the time. I can not understand why people would be willing to pay so much for so little. You can buy larger cars that deliver better mileage, performance, and amenities. Just read about the many small diesel cars available.
It makes no sense to saddle this small car with an automatic transmission when the whole idea is to achieve better fuel mileage. Why can’t you get it with a manual? That would go a long way to removing many of the complaints about the driving experience of the Smart Car. Why handicap it right from the start?
I would not be willing to give up so much for so few additional miles per gallon.
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PocoToro Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
The Smart is well just not all that smart of a car
The fuel mileage is offensively low on the Scion xB
The MINI wins again as the best all around fun car
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Jon Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
Poco, betting there are a large number of XB and Smart owners that feel the same.
Dave I know a variety of people that believe the Mini costs more than its worth.
Three iconic cars that each have their supporters, for me the Mini is the clear choice but think the article did a decent job of comparing the three.
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C4 Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
Greetings from Philly…..
I have seen only 2 Smarts here and MINIs (Mostly 1st gens) and not a single Clubman since I arrived here on Saturday.
Add me to the camp of those who think the Smart is a dumb car aimed at city slickers and hipsters who don’t have an iota of idea of what a real car should feel and drive like.
Well, let me step away for a few and sink my teeth on a juicy Pat’s steakcheese sandwich…
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MikeJCW Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
I have an 06 factory JCW MINI and a new Smart Passion Coupe. I love the Clubman and S – wayyy cool! Hate the Scion. The MINI and Smart are definitely two different animals. The Smart is a neat car, very iconic and nostalgic. Having driven it on both long highway commutes to work and in stop-and-go traffic, it is nice not having to use the clutch in stop-and-go and the engine/tranny combo is low-tech. The paddle shifters are fun and work well even if the shifts are butt slow. Not nearly as stable on the highway as any MINI. There is enough power for most situations, but it is just the crappy way it goes about doing its job. The rest of the car is solid – comfortable and well-build, good ride and handling, nice interior.
Very good is this time of high gas price though as a fillup from complete empty is 7.5-8 gallons (~$30), but on the downside it takes premium. Got 41.3mpg on the first tank.
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David Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
Lots of living room executives here at Motoringfile questioning auto industry decisions.
100% criticism and 0% insightful comment.
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lavardera Jun 3rd, 2008 Link
A few living room bloggers here at Motoringfile, questioning commenter’s opinions.
100% criticism and 0% insightful comment.
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dr Jun 4th, 2008 Link
I am no fan of the smart….but I think that it could be argued that the smart embodies far more of the classic mini spirit than the new MINI ever thought about.
I personally wish that I could drive a golf cart to work and have one bad ass M3 sedan for the trips out of town. It seems logical to me that marrieds dont need two fully capable cars, they need one real vehicle and one commuter vehicle. A car LIKE the smart could be very sucessfull at a 5k-9k price but go above that it diesnt make sense……point is, These cars all have there place and niche, success is a matter of PRICE!
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Jon Jun 4th, 2008 Link
Think the Smart is selling at this price point because it is a niche car that people either love or hate with or without any practical reasons.
I believe that while most Mini owners would not choose a Smart car or a XB we should keep the talk of hatred to a minimum. Just my point of view.
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gokartride Jun 4th, 2008 Link
I admit I like the Smart car…it’s a very clever little vehicle. I wouldn’t compare it to a MINI (much less a Clubman) or, frankly, anything else except a maybe a motorcycle. I like the layout w/ the fluids/cooling bits up front, the engine in back and the intake on the side…very logical especially from a crushable space perspective. I am disappointed the U.S. versions don’t get way better mpg….somebody misjudged that. No, it doesn’t go fast and it doesn’t handle anywhere like a MINI, but it is probably fun in it’s own right.
Reply[...] case you missed anything from the past week at Motoringfile, we had the Clubman being iconic, a report on the MINI Cross-Over debut, a MINI D driven in the States and a cool new toy. Speaking [...]
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