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Quick, picture a smart car. That was easy, right? When you see a smart car, you immediately know what it is. These cars are so small that you can imagine picking one up and walking away with it.
Plus, their distinctive square shape makes smart cars hard to miss. For a single driver or a person with one passenger, a smart car can make a great choice. Their small size makes them very fuel efficient.
In fact, the company stopped producing their gas-powered models several years ago. These days, all new smart cars are completely electric. And few things are more fun than zipping around the city in a smart car.
The only problem? Smart cars aren’t available in the US anymore. At least new ones aren’t. Thankfully, you can find alternatives. Smart cars have 89 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 11 seconds. They have a fuel economy of 33 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.
Cars with similar specs can satisfy your smart car desires. When it comes to similar cars, we’re big fans of the Tesla Model X, the Chevrolet Bold EV, and the Honda Accord Hybrid. However, all of the following cars are similar to the smart car.
Some have similar shapes and sizes, some have similar fuel efficiency numbers, and many of them are just as fun to drive.
Electric Cars Similar to the Smart Car
Many people look for a smart car because they want to lower their carbon footprint. If that’s your top priority, then an electric car is the way to go. The next few cars are electric models, just like the latest smart cars.
1. Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV provides a great example of an electric vehicle. It has impressive states. It can travel up to 259 miles on a single charge. Since it can seat five people, drivers can embrace carpooling for maximum environmental good.
This vehicle is also small for a hatchback. Of course, you won’t find a car that’s quite as small as a smart car. (For that, you’d have to start looking at bikes and scooters.)
Still, if small cars get your motor running, this one makes a good choice with its sleek and compact design. Its slightly square shape is also reminiscent of a smart car.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV has 200 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds. Its MSRP starts at $31,500.
2. Volkswagen ID4
The Volkswagen ID4 shares a lot of similarities with the smart car. For one thing, Volkswagens are German, just like smart cars. You’ll find more German cars later in the list. However, the ID4’s most important trait is the difference it makes for the environment.
Like the newest smart cars, the ID4 is also electric. As far as fuel efficiency goes, it gets the equivalent of 97 mpg, which is extremely impressive. Of course, the ID4 has some differences from the smart car.
As an SUV, it’s much larger and has a towing capacity of 2200 to 2700 lbs. It can also seat five people, which is much more than the smart car’s two seats.
The design features bold color options and sharp lines, and it makes a good choice for those who need a lot of storage space. With 201 to 295 horsepower, the Volkswagen ID4 can go from 0 to 60 in 7.6 seconds. The cost starts at $40,760.
3. Tesla Model X
Tesla leads the way in electric vehicles. The Model X, one of Tesla’s latest models, is a luxury car with two electric motors. Thanks to those two motors, it can go 335 to 351 miles on a single charge.
This car appeals to those who want the efficiency of a smart car but with a bit more comfort and extravagance. This car stands out in a lot of ways. It has an impressive 670 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. (The Plaid model is even faster, going from 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds.)
Though not as small as a smart car, the Tesla Model X is fairly compact. In spite of its size, though, this car can fit 5 to 7 people, depending on the model. It has a simple and aerodynamic design.
As you’ve probably guessed, though, these cars don’t come cheap. The standard model starts at $104,990, while the speedier Plaid model starts at $126,490.
Hybrid Cars Similar to the Smart Car
Electric cars can save drivers a lot of money on fuel, and again, they’re better for the environment than cars that run on gasoline. However, they’re much more expensive than non-electric cars.
If you want to lower your carbon footprint but need a more accessible price range, take a look at hybrid cars. They’re less expensive than fully electric vehicles, but they don’t use as much gasoline as standard cars.
1. Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord Hybrid makes this list because of its efficiency, reliability, and its well put-together design. It has a simple and classic design and can seat up to five people. This hybrid car has impressive fuel mileage, too.
It gets 48 mpg on gasoline and has a 47 mile electric range. The Honda Accord has 212 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. The cost ranges from $30,000 to over $36,500.
2. Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry hybrid may not have many similarities to the smart car, but it’s similar where it counts: with fuel efficiency and electricity usage. It gets a very respectable 52 mpg, so drivers can make fewer stops at the gas pump.
It can only travel short distances on electricity alone, but because it does use electricity, it’s a cleaner energy choice than most other cars. As far as design goes, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is nice but not overly flashy.
It has an overall straightforward design with a few sleek touches here and there to make it stand out. It also seats up to five people. This Camry has 208 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 in 7.2 seconds.
The standard model for this car starts at $27,480. However, more expensive configurations reach just under $30,000.
3. Toyota Prius
When people think “hybrid car,” they usually think of the Prius. And thanks to its electricity usage, it shares some similarities with the smart car. Granted, it’s not boxy like a smart car is. It has a more streamlined design that cuts back on wind resistance.
This year’s Prius reaches 60 mph in 10.5 seconds, according to several sources. However, some sources provide different numbers. This car has 121 horsepower.
The Toyota Prius is also more affordable than some other hybrid cars on the market, ranging from $24,625 to $29,575. Since it can run on hybrid mode for up to 640 miles, this car also lets its driver save money on fuel costs.
For that matter, it also gets up to 58 mpg. It seats five people, so drivers can increase their environmental results by carpooling.
4. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid compares to the smart car because of its fuel efficiency. Actually, the Elantra Hybrid gets better gas mileage than the smart car. While smart cars get 39 mpg, the Elantra Hybrid gets up to 56 mpg on the highway.
This car is also similar to the smart car because of its small size. It’s surprisingly spacious on the inside, though. It even seats five people. As far as style goes, this car is relatively unassuming.
However, it can be made to look sportier with different colors and trim options. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid goes from 0 to 60 in 8.7 seconds, and it has 139 horsepower. The price ranges from $23,850 to $28,350.
Cars With German Engineering
A lot of drivers prefer German cars because of their durability, reliability, and performance. Generally, German cars are just well-built.
Some people seek out smart cars for this reason, since smart cars come from Germany. The next couple of cars share this trait with the smart car.
1. Audi S5 Sportback
At first glance, the Audi S5 Sportback looks nothing like a smart car. It has a sharp and sporty appearance, 349 horsepower, and can go from 0 to 60 in just 4.3 seconds. It’s also more roomy than a smart car.
The Sportback seats up to five people, although your passengers would be more comfortable if you limited the seating to four. So, why does the Audi S5 Sportback make this list? Because of its German engineering, of course.
All of this reliability and sportiness does come at a steep price, though. The Audi S5 Sportback starts at about $53,300.
This car also gets just over 32 mpg, which is slightly less than the fuel efficiency of a smart car. Still, 32 mpg is better than average, so it’s something to consider for those who value fuel efficiency.
2. BMW 2 Series Compact Coupe
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The BMW Compact Coupe is yet another German car, which is the main reason why it has earned its spot on the list. The other similarity comes from its size. It’s a small two-door car. Of course, you probably expected as much, since it has the word “compact” in its name.
Still, it seats four people, which is double the number of seats in a smart car. This car is sporty and quick, and its size makes it very agile. Its size also makes it fuel efficient, at 35 mpg highway. That fuel efficiency matters, since this car does run on gasoline.
The Compact Coupe is a lot more powerful than the smart car, though. It has up to 382 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 in only 4.1 seconds. The car’s price starts at $36,350.
Small and Boxy Cars
Finally, some people want smart cars because of their small size and distinctive shape. The final three cars on this list are relatively small, and two of them have a square shape. They also have similar fuel mileage.
1. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has two main things in common with the smart car. First, it’s compact, even if it does seat five people.
It has a surprisingly sporty appearance in bolder colors, but colors like white and gray make it look more unassuming. This way, car owners can decide for themselves whether or not they want to stand out on the road.
Second, the Honda Civic’s fuel efficiency is similar to the smart car. The Civic gets up to 33 mpg city and 42 highway. It runs on gasoline, but since it has better than average fuel efficiency, drivers can stop at the gas station less often.
The Honda Civic reaches 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Its horsepower ranges from 158 to 180. The Honda Civic starts at $22,350.
2. Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is a subcompact car. It’s short and boxy, looking almost like a larger version of the famous smart car. Unlike the smart car, though, the Mini Cooper seats up to 5 people. This car also runs on gasoline.
However, one version — the Mini SE Hardtop — runs on electricity. Non-electric Mini Coopers get up to 38 mpg on the highway, which is similar to the smart car’s fuel economy.
The Mini Cooper has several variations. Because of those variations, you’ll find a wide price range, from $22,900 to $41,500. At the low end, Mini Coopers have 134 horsepower.
At the higher end, these cars have 228 horsepower. The most powerful of these cars can go from 0 to 60 in an impressive 4.9 seconds.
3. Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is short and slightly boxy in the front, giving it an appearance that looks just slightly like a smart car. It runs on gasoline, but it shares the smart car’s fuel efficiency. The Chevrolet Spark gets up to 38 mpg on the highway.
This car seats four people, has a 98 horsepower engine, and reaches 60 mph in 10.9 seconds. It’s a highly affordable car, too, ranging from $15,500 to $17,000.