Comparative Automotive Research has identified no less than 29 advantages that the Mitsubishi i-MiEV has over the smart fortwo coupe.

Powertrain Warranty

Mitsubishi's powertrain warranty offers better coverage than the smart's. This warranty covers most of the parts that make the car move such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

			Powertrain Warranty Months		Powertrain Warranty Miles
	i-MiEV		60		60000
	fortwo coupe		24		24000

Corrosion Warranty

Mitsubishi's corrosion warranty provides better protection than smart's. This warranty protects against rust-through (sheetmetal perforation).

			Corrosion Warranty Months		Corrosion Warranty Miles
	i-MiEV		84		100000
	fortwo coupe		48		50000

Airbags

Both the i-MiEV and the fortwo coupe feature Standard driver and passenger air bags.

Restraints

The i-MiEV has Standard height-adjustable shoulder belts which allows the best fit for the greatest variety of drivers and passengers. Better fitting shoulder belts translate into higher seat belt usage rates. Height adjustable seat belts are Not Available in the fortwo coupe.

General Safety

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, longer vehicles can protect you better in both single and multiple-vehicle crashes because they have longer crumple zones, which can reduce damage to the internal safety cage and spread the crash forces. The i-MiEV is longer than the fortwo coupe, 144.7 in. vs. 105.6 in.

The i-MiEV is equipped with Standard RWD.

Fog lights are very effective at improving visibility in foggy and other difficult driving situations. You are more likely to find fog lights on the i-MiEV than on the fortwo coupe, as detailed below:

			Fog Lamps
	i-MiEV ES		Optional
	i-MiEV SE		Standard
	fortwo coupe passion		Optional
	fortwo coupe pure		Not Available

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, multiple-vehicle daytime crashes account for about half of all police-reported crashes in the United States. Numerous studies have shown that daytime running lights - low intensity lights that make vehicles more visible during daylight hours - reduce daytime accidents as much as 11%. Daytime running lights are more commonly found on the i-MiEV than the fortwo coupe, as shown below:

			Daytime Running Lights
	i-MiEV		Standard
	fortwo coupe passion		Optional
	fortwo coupe pure		Not Available

Interior Space

The i-MiEV has more passenger volume than the fortwo coupe, 84.7 cu. ft. vs. 45.4 cu. ft.

The i-MiEV has a greater standard seating capacity, with room for 4 passengers. The fortwo coupe can only accommodate 2 passengers.

The i-MiEV has more interior space than the fortwo coupe in the following areas:

			Hip Room, Front		Shoulder Room, Front
	i-MiEV		49.4 in.		54.8 in.
	fortwo coupe		45.4 in.		48.0 in.

Cargo Space

The i-MiEV has 13.2 cu. ft. of cargo volume compared to 12.0 cu. ft. in the fortwo coupe. The additional cargo space means more room to store and transport packages, luggage, etc.

The Standard second row split seat allows i-MiEV owners the flexibility for both storage and passenger seating. A second row split seat is Not Available in the fortwo coupe.

The i-MiEV features a Standard second row folding seat for increased cargo space. A second row folding seat is Not Available in the fortwo coupe.

The i-MiEV offers a Optional cargo net that helps secure packages or groceries, while in the fortwo coupe a cargo net is Not Available.

Chassis

The 'track' (distance between the wheels), of the i-MiEV is greater than that of the fortwo coupe. A wider track produces better handling and a more stable ride.

			Track, Front		Track, Rear
	i-MiEV		55.9 in.		54.3 in.
	fortwo coupe		50.4 in.		54.0 in.

The i-MiEV's wheelbase is longer than the fortwo coupe's, 100.4 in. vs. 73.2 in., producing a smoother ride and more stable handling.

Wheels and Tires

In addition to the obvious cosmetic benefit of alloy wheels, they are lighter than traditional steel wheels, providing better performance. Alloy wheels are Not Available on the fortwo coupe pure but are offered as a Standard feature on the i-MiEV SE.

Additional Features

A heated front seat provides additional comfort in very cold weather. As shown below, a heated front seat is a feature found more often in the in the i-MiEV than the fortwo coupe.

			Front Heated Seat
	i-MiEV		Standard
	fortwo coupe passion		Optional
	fortwo coupe pure		Not Available

The i-MiEV SE features a Optional navigational aid system, providing maps, driving directions and location assistance. A navigation system is Not Available in the fortwo coupe pure.

Compact disc players offer the highest quality audio available. The i-MiEV offers a Standard CD player but it is Optional in the fortwo coupe pure.

For added convenience, power windows come Standard in the i-MiEV. With the fortwo coupe pure, power windows are Not Available.

The advanced climate control system in the i-MiEV features an air filtration system that removes pollen, dust, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the passenger compartment. An air filtration sytem is Optional in the fortwo coupe pure.

Automatic headlights, which control the on/off capability of vehicle's headlights, are a more common feature on the i-MiEV than the fortwo coupe, as shown below.

			Automatic Headlights
	i-MiEV		Standard
	fortwo coupe passion		Optional
	fortwo coupe pure		Not Available

Heated exterior mirrors are Optional on the i-MiEV, keeping them clear and giving the driver improved visibility. That feature is Not Available on the fortwo coupe pure.