The Smart Roadster vs Roadster Coupé debate is one of the first questions any prospective buyer faces — and it is more nuanced than it might appear. Both share the same brilliant 698cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine, the same mid-rear layout, and the same wonderfully absurd premise of a tiny two-seater sports car from a city-car brand. Yet the differences between them are real enough to make a genuine difference to your ownership experience. This guide covers styling, practicality, soft-top versus fixed-roof dynamics, values, and the variants within each body style, so you can make an informed decision before handing over your money.
Understanding the Two Body Styles
Smart produced the 452 Roadster in two distinct forms between 2003 and 2006. The standard Roadster is a pure open-top two-seater with a folding soft-top roof — a targa-style panel that lifts out and stows behind the seats. It is the purer, lighter of the two and the one that most people picture when they think of the Smart Roadster.
The Roadster Coupé adds a large, fixed glassfibre hardtop over the passenger cell, creating a fastback roofline that runs all the way to a small boot spoiler. Crucially, it also adds a modest rear luggage platform — sometimes called the ‘bustle’ — which gives noticeably more storage space. The Coupé looks wider, more substantial, and arguably more like a miniature supercar. Both cars retain the same basic tub, powertrain, and Softouch automated-manual gearbox.
Dimensions and Weight
The Coupé is heavier than the open Roadster — typically by around 40–50 kg depending on specification — because of the additional glassfibre roof structure and the rear luggage area. On a car weighing only around 790 kg in standard Roadster trim, that penalty is noticeable. The standard Roadster therefore has a marginally better power-to-weight ratio across every engine variant, from the 45 kW Lite through to the full 74 kW Brabus.
Driving Experience: Open Air vs Fixed Roof
The standard Smart Roadster wins on the most important metric for a sports car: engagement. With the soft-top panel removed and stowed, you are completely exposed to the elements — wind, noise, sunshine, and the occasional British downpour. That rawness suits the car’s character perfectly. The lack of a fixed roof also means the bodyshell is slightly less rigid, which some drivers argue gives the car a more communicative, slightly looser feel through corners. It is a subtle difference, but purists notice it.
The Roadster Coupé, by contrast, feels more composed and refined at motorway speeds. Wind noise is dramatically reduced, and the cabin feels more cohesive. If you intend to use the car as a year-round daily driver in a northern European climate, the Coupé’s weather protection is a serious practical advantage. Visibility to the rear is limited by the fastback roofline, but the driving position and forward visibility are identical to the open car.
The Soft-Top System on the Standard Roadster
It is worth understanding how the Roadster’s roof actually works before you decide it is the more convenient choice. The targa panel is a manually operated glassfibre and fabric section that you physically lift out and fold behind the seats. There is no electric folding mechanism. On early cars in particular, the roof seal system is prone to water ingress — a well-documented issue across the 452 range. If you are buying an open Roadster, inspect the footwell carpets and the area beneath the seats carefully for signs of damp. This is one of the most common and frustrating ownership issues you will encounter.
Practicality: Boot Space and Daily Usability
Neither version of the Smart Roadster will ever trouble a family hatchback in the practicality department, but the differences between the two body styles are meaningful for everyday use. The standard Roadster has a small front compartment (remember, the engine is mid-rear mounted — there is no front boot in the traditional sense, just a modest storage area ahead of the passenger cell) and a tiny space behind the seats when the soft-top is stowed.
The Roadster Coupé adds a usable rear luggage shelf behind the passenger cell and beneath the fastback glassfibre tail. It is not cavernous — do not expect to fit a weekend bag for two — but it is genuinely more practical than the standard car for carrying a laptop bag, a small rucksack, or a track-day toolkit. If you plan to use the car for anything beyond pure weekend blasts, the Coupé’s extra storage is a meaningful upgrade.
Front Storage Compartment
Both body styles share the same front storage area, accessed via a small hatch at the nose of the car. It is enough for a charging cable, a waterproof jacket, or a few essential tools. Do not plan on fitting a spare wheel — there is no provision for one. Most owners carry a tyre inflation kit instead.
Which Engine Variant Should You Choose?
Whichever body style you select, the engine variant matters enormously. Smart produced four power outputs: the 45 kW Lite, the 60 kW standard, the 66 kW SB2 Brabus, and the full 74 kW Brabus. Our strong recommendation is to avoid the 45 kW Lite in both body styles — it lacks the oil cooler fitted to all other variants, which makes it significantly less durable under hard use. The 60 kW standard is the sweet spot for most buyers: it is plentiful, well-supported, and an excellent base for anyone interested in performance upgrades.
The SB2 and full Brabus variants command a premium and deliver genuinely addictive performance for a car of this size, running boost pressures of 1.33 bar and 1.43 bar respectively from the factory. Both are worth seeking out, particularly in Roadster Coupé form where the slightly added refinement complements the extra power well. If you are interested in what the ECU is actually doing with that boost, the detailed breakdown of the Smart Roadster’s MEG 1.1 ECU is essential reading — it explains how the Bosch management system controls fuelling, ignition, and boost across all variants.
Values and What to Pay in 2025
The Smart Roadster vs Roadster Coupé price gap has narrowed considerably as the market has matured. In 2025, both body styles trade in broadly similar ranges: expect to pay 7,000–9,000 EUR for a high-mileage example in need of attention, 9,000–12,000 EUR for a good usable car, and 12,000–15,000 EUR for a low-mileage Brabus in excellent condition.
Historically the Coupé attracted a small premium because of its added practicality and arguably more dramatic styling. That premium still exists at the top of the market — a concours-condition Roadster Coupé Brabus will outprice an equivalent open Roadster — but in the mid-market they are largely interchangeable on price. What matters far more than body style is documented service history, evidence of the known water leak issues having been addressed, and the condition of the Softouch gearbox and its associated actuator system.
What to Check Before Buying Either Version
- Water ingress: Check footwells, under-seat areas, and the SAM unit housing for damp or corrosion.
- Soft-top seals (Roadster only): Inspect roof seals and the folding mechanism for wear and splits.
- Softouch gearbox: Test all five gears, check for jerky or delayed shifts, and listen for actuator whine.
- Glassfibre bodywork: Both cars have substantial glassfibre outer panels — inspect for cracks, poor repairs, and colour mismatch.
- Service history: Oil changes every 6,000–8,000 miles are critical given the small-capacity turbo engine.
- Instrument cluster: LCD pixel fade is common; check all displays are functioning at the time of purchase.
The Verdict: Standard Roadster or Roadster Coupé?
Choosing between the Smart Roadster vs Roadster Coupé ultimately comes down to how you intend to use the car. If open-air driving is the primary goal — weekend blasts, track days, and sunny-weather fun — the standard Roadster is the purer choice. It is lighter, more exposed, and more visceral. If you want to use the car more frequently across more seasons, or if you simply prefer the Coupé’s fastback styling and want the extra luggage space, the Coupé is genuinely the more versatile machine without sacrificing any of the driving character that makes these cars so special.
Whichever you choose, buy the best example you can afford, avoid the 45 kW Lite, and treat any Brabus variant as a priority find. Both versions of this remarkable little car reward careful ownership, and both are appreciating at a rate that makes a well-chosen example a genuinely sensible purchase in 2025.
