Regular readers will be aware of my feelings for the two-seater Smart - it's impractical, overpriced and underpowered with hilariously incompetent handling and the world's jerkiest gearbox.
Though it's admittedly cute and easy to park, the fact that people buy it is living proof that marketing can sometimes triumph over common sense.
The Smart roadster and coupe versions launched more recently are far better driver's cars but still seat only two, giving them a very niche appeal.
Now, at last, we have the ForFour, a Smart that looks cool and is practical too.
The latest body style of DaimlerChrysler's baby brand is a car that you can actually buy for more than just making a style statement.
It's still cute - though not as much as its two-seater cousin - but seats more people and is much better to drive.
For a start, it has four seats (hence its name, duh) and, if you don't have much luggage to carry, it offers very impressive passenger room for a car that looks so small on the outside.
The rear seat is on a sliding rail which, when in its rearmost position, offers enough legroom for even big rugby-playing types.
That leaves a tiny boot barely large enough for a one-night stand kit but with the back seat slid forwards there's enough room for a couple of suitcases standing upright.
The rear seats can also be folded forward against the front seat backrests, liberating 910 litres of cargo space.
Decent roof height and a dual panoramic sunroof accentuate the sense of space in the cabin. The sunroof doesn't actually open but does have a blind that slides back to let the sun or moon shine in.
You can order the car with an electric sunroof that lets in the wind as well.
Funky styling
Funky styling is at the core of the Smart brand and the ForFour has far more pizazz than your average Polo or Corsa. Like all Smarts, it has a safety cell with visible metal frame and dual-tone body.
It's compact and sporty with very short overhangs, although macho it's not and most ForFour owners are likely to be of the fairer gender.
Surprisingly, the car didn't turn as many heads as we expected (or maybe it was just the greying temples of the driver that put them off).
In fact, because of its relatively small size and cartoon looks, it tends to get bullied by other motorists and you spend a lot of time cursing at drivers who've cut you off.
Two versions
The ForFour comes in two flavours: the 1.3-litre Pulse selling for R139 000 and the car tested here, the 1.5-litre Passion, at R159 000.
Standard on the 1.5 Passion are air-con, a leather steering wheel, anti-lock brakes, traction control, alloy wheels, fog lights, electric windows and mirrors, and a radio/CD audio system.
There's a clever foldable armrest between the front seats that has two cupholders and swivels so that it can be used by either the front or rear passengers.
The multifunction steering-wheel controls the audio system and trip data computer and, if optionally fitted, the phone and satellite navigation system.
The cabin styling matches the funky exterior: lots of colour and youthful flair including "frog-eye" clock and temperature gauges mounted on the fascia. Fit and finish are acceptable, though not in the same league as other cars from the Benz stable.
On the road
The best thing about driving the ForFour is its manual gearbox. It's the first three-pedalled Smart on the market; all models until now have been available only with the dreadful Softouch automated transmission that makes driving such an annoyingly jerky affair.
The six-speed Softouch, which has no clutch pedal to press, is still an option on the ForFour but, unless your left leg is absent, the manual's the one to go for with its slick gearshift and very light clutch.
The ForFour's modest power is compensated for by its 975kg mass so, although it won't be your first choice for the Stoplight GP, it's not sluggish either.
It scoots from rest to 100km/h in just under 12 seconds and feels quite nippy around town. It doesn't battle to cruise either, with a top speed of 190km/h, although the engine isn't very torquey low down and prefers higher rpm.
It's not quiet either but the sporty chortle it produces isn't unpleasant, adding a dash of acoustic charm in synch with the car's fun-loving personality.
Nip and tuck
The Forfour's low mass, combined with a low centre of gravity, gives the little hatch a pleasantly agile nip-and-tuck nature, without nosedive under hard braking or wallowing through tight bends.
In fact the chassis feels as if it could handle quite a bit more power, so there's definitely room for a sporty supercharged version in the Forfour's future. Listening, DaimlerChrysler?
The steering is light and perhaps a little over-assisted but has enough feel to place the car accurately in corners; an enthusiast can attack S-bends with confidence.
The ForFour comes with traction control but the car's mechanical grip is so good that it takes real hooligan driving to get it to work.
Good brakes with ABS complete the ForFour's impressive dynamic ability and haul the car down form 100km/h to zero in less than three seconds.
The car delivers a fairly relaxing ride on smooth and semi-abrasive roads but gets quite unsettled and fidgety over rougher, bumpier surfaces.
Supportive seats
The seats are supportive, if a little narrow, again implying that the car targets a mostly feminine clientele.
Finding a comfortable driving position will be a challenge for long-legged drivers as the steering column offers only height adjustment.
My knees snagged on the bottom of the fascia even with arms stretched more than I like.
The ForFour's cabin ergonomics mostly work well, with intelligently positioned controls. The electric window switches, however, are awkwardly placed far back between the front seats; mounting them on the door handles would have been more convenient.
Summary
Smart's first "mainstream" model succesfully combines charisma and functionality.
In a world of motorised clones the ForFour stands out with its funky image - and throws in keen handling and decent practicality. - Star Motoring