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Detail-oriented question on Smart ForFour

Posted by (West Coast) on

Just booked the car rental for an upcoming trip to Italy. I picked the cheapest car and am now actually thinking about this. Has anyone rented a Smart Forfour lately? I have one carryon size suitcase that looks like it should fit in the truck (or "trunk" in the case of this car). Will it, or is that asking too much? Don't want it showing during stops between hotels (and if anyone wants to assure me that all my stuff probably won't get stolen, I'd appreciate it).

And does this have a usb port for the phone? Maybe that's a dumb question and all newer cars come with this, but I drive something pre-smartphone and have to use something that plugs into the cigarette lighter to charge it. I won't be driving so much that it should matter, but the big items are done so I have time to obsess over the details.

I already have the int'l driving license and know about ztl's. Will be looking up pics of road signs next. :)

Posted by
10197 posts

Just know that you're not guaranteed to get a ForFour. Usually car rental agencies "guarantee" a certain class of car, but not an exact car.

Posted by
33826 posts

I can't assure you that all your stuff won't get stolen, because rental cars are sometimes broken into especially if anything is showing or you park in the wrong place.

Don't open the trunk after you arrive at your parking area because there may be eyes watching.

Probably not in most places, but you do need to be careful. My memory of the for four is it doesn't have a huge space behind the seats and I don't remember what cover there is.

Posted by
631 posts

One Carryon size case shouldn't be a problem. But don't build your hopes up of having a trendy Smart, unless you are renting from a Smart dealer it could be anything that size, such as Kia Picanto.

Smart brochure in English http://uk.smart.com/uk/en/index/smart-forfour-453/practicality.html bear in mind trim and accessory combinations are for UK market but basic fittings and the space are the same everywhere.

Posted by
435 posts

I'm not trendy so a Kia is fine. Thanks all for the reminder that I get whatever they have. Do these little cars tend to have USB connections, or is that just a standard thing on everything? Couldn't tell from the pics and thinking about a portable battery thing for the phone(with gps) just in case.

Posted by
10197 posts

I would bring a cigarette plug charger just in case. I have no idea whether the car would have a direct USB plug or not.

A portable battery charger is a good idea anyway, whether the car has a charger or not.

Posted by
435 posts

To update this- I ended up with a Ford KA (Ka?). It was just fine. A carryon sized bag fit in the hatchback trunk area on it's back, so wouldn't be a problem for 2 or 3 stacked on top of each other, and they'd still be hidden. Comfortable enough and easy to park It had a usb plug to charge the phone, which was great, but I couldn't get the bluetooth that the car said it had to connect to my phone, which was bad. When it was plugged it, I couldn't hear directions from the map app, so it was either get directions or charge the phone. But really, following signs was better anyway. FYI in case someone else is looking at these smaller cars.

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