Suspension Lift vs. Spacer Lift: Which is the Smart Way to go?

If you’ve ever thought about giving your Smart Fortwo a little more attitude — whether for off-road fun, better clearance, or simply for the unique look — you’ve probably discovered that there are two main approaches to lifting your smart car: suspension lift kits and spacer lift kits.

While both options can raise your Smart, the differences between them are significant — especially when it comes to performance, safety, and how much modification your car needs. Let’s break it down and explain why a suspension lift kit is the superior choice for most Smart Fortwo owners.

What a Suspension Lift Does

A suspension lift kit increases your ride height by replacing or modifying components of the suspension system itself — typically the springs, struts, and control arms.

In the Smart Fortwo, a proper suspension lift kit re-engineers the car’s stance, ensuring that the geometry of the suspension remains functional and safe. You’re not just “propping up” the car; you’re actually raising its suspension travel and chassis height, giving you better ground clearance and a more confident ride.

Benefits of a Smart Car Suspension Lift

• No frame cutting required – Everything bolts in cleanly without hacking into the car’s unibody or subframe.

• Better ride quality – A properly tuned suspension lift maintains shock absorption and stability.

• Improved durability – Because the suspension angles are corrected, you’re not stressing the joints, bushings, or steering components.

• Room for slightly larger tires – With a suspension lift, you can fit more aggressive tires without compromising safety or structure.

What a Spacer Lift Kit Does

A spacer lift kit (sometimes called a “puck lift”) simply adds a block or spacer between your suspension and your car’s frame. It’s a cheaper, simpler way to gain height — but it comes with tradeoffs, especially on compact unibody cars like the Smart Fortwo.

Spacer lifts do not actually increase suspension travel or improve handling; they just push the car’s body higher off the ground. And because the Fortwo’s suspension is already compact, spacers can cause alignment issues, unusual wear, and compromised ride quality.

The Big Challenge with Smart Car Spacer Lifts

If you’re looking to fit larger tires (which is usually the point of lifting), spacer lifts become a problem. To make big tires fit on a spacer-lifted Smart, you’ll need to cut into the structural frame or wheel wells — a modification that’s not only irreversible but can also weaken the unibody and affect crash safety.

In short: while a spacer lift may look like a quick fix, it’s not a proper long-term solution for Smart owners who want both function and form.

Spacer Lift - Frame Cut Required, Behind Front Wheels, to Fit Larger Tires

Suspension Lift: The Smart Choice for Your Smart

When it comes to lifting a Smart Fortwo, a suspension lift kit is the clear winner. It provides:

• True lift and improved ride quality and handling

• No structural cutting or risky modification

• Compatibility with larger tires within safe limits

• A professional, engineered solution that enhances performance and safety

Spacer lifts might save you a few dollars up front, but once you factor in the cost — and risk — of potentially sacrificing safety (not to mention resale value) by cutting into your smart car's frame, extensive modification required to correct it's suspension geometry, and wear and tear on the stock suspension which wasn't designed for this purpose, the value simply isn’t there.

If you want your Smart to stand taller the right way, go with a suspension lift kit. Your car (and your peace of mind) will thank you.

Ready to Lift Your Smart Fortwo?

At BRAAP, we design and test our suspension lift kits specifically for the Smart Fortwo — ensuring proper fitment, safe geometry, and performance that transforms your car from city commuter to compact adventure machine.