can you rent a smart car

[VanJoel]

Yes, you can rent a Smart car, but your options in the U.S. are now quite limited. Following its withdrawal from the American market in 2019, the traditional two-seat Smart Fortwo is no longer available through major rental agencies like Hertz or Enterprise. However, the successor to the Smart brand—the all-electric Smart #1 SUV—is available for short-term rentals in certain European and Asian markets. If you're in the U.S. and seeking a similar tiny, urban-focused vehicle, your best bet is to look for comparable microcars or subcompact models from other brands.

Your primary option for a traditional Smart car rental is through peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms like Turo. On Turo, individual owners list their personal vehicles for rent. This is where you might find a privately-owned Smart Fortwo, especially in dense, parking-challenged cities like San Francisco or New York. The availability is sporadic and entirely dependent on local owners.

When considering a rental, it's crucial to understand the car's strengths and limitations. The Smart Fortwo's defining feature is its incredibly short wheelbase and turning circle, allowing it to fit into parking spots other cars can't dream of. However, its 0-60 mph acceleration is leisurely, and its ride can feel bumpy on highways, making it ideal strictly for city errands, not road trips.

Before booking, carefully consider your needs. If you're traveling with more than one person or need to carry luggage, a Smart car is impractical. Renting a conventional subcompact like a Chevrolet Spark or Hyundai Accent might offer more versatility and easier availability from standard rental companies, often at a similar price point. Always check the rental listing for specifics on mileage limits, fuel/electric charging policies, and insurance coverage.

[DePatrick]

Sure, but it's not like renting a regular car anymore. The big rental companies don't have them. You have to go on an app like Turo and see if someone in your city is renting out their personal Smart car. It's a niche thing for sure. I'd only do it if I was staying downtown and needed the absolute easiest parking possible. For anything else, even a tiny sedan is way more usable.

[Pedro]

From a practical standpoint, renting a Smart car today means focusing on its electric successor, the Smart #1. This is a completely different vehicle—a small SUV. It's not available in the States, but if you're traveling in Europe, you might find it through Sixt or other rental agencies that are updating their electric fleets. The rental experience would be similar to getting any other modern EV: you'd need to plan for charging, but you'd get a much more refined and capable car than the old Fortwo.

[LePaislee]

My advice is to think about why you want a Smart car. If it's for the novelty, then hunting for one on Turo could be a fun experience. But if your goal is simply to get an affordable, efficient city car, you'll have a much easier time. Major rental agencies always have compact and economy cars that are cheaper to rent, more comfortable on the highway, and can actually carry a passenger and their bags. The Smart's unique parking advantage is real, but it comes with significant trade-offs.

[EthanMarie]

I looked into this recently. The old gasoline Smart Fortwo is pretty much gone from the professional rental market. Your only real chance is the peer-to-peer market. The process is straightforward: download the Turo app, enter your dates and location, and filter the results. You might get lucky. Be sure to read the reviews of both the car and the owner. Check the pickup details—sometimes it's curbside, other times you meet the owner. It's a more personal rental experience than a corporate one.