2009 Smart ForTwo

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

The Fortwo receives average scores in federal government crash tests and very good scores in insurance industry tests, but reviewers and the federal government also have concern for the Fortwo's ultimate ability to protect its passengers, and the government issued a safety warning for side-impact collisions.

In a recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test, the Smart Fortwo was pitted against the Merceces-Benz C300 to see how subcompacts compared to midsize cars in frontal collisions. While the Fortwo receives "Good" ratings for frontal-impact crashes with a barrier, it did not do well in this head-on crash.

On the other hand, a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found the Smart Fortwo is one of the least expensive cars to fix should a collision occur.

Crash Tests

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2009 Fortwo the same safety scores as last year's model -- four out of five stars for the driver's protection in front crashes, and three out of five stars for the front passengers protection in front crashes. The federal government also issued a safety warning along with the Smart's performance in side crashes because the driver's door opened during side impact testing. Nevertheless, the Fortwo earned a five stars for its protection of the driver in side impact tests.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Fortwo a "Good" rating for frontal offset and side impact tests.
• "When a Smart Fortwo collided with a Mercedes-Benz-C-Class sedan, in new crash tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the little Smart car went airborne and did what amounted to a pirouette." -- New York Times

Safety Features

Despite its rigid tridion safety cell, reviewers express doubt in the Smart Fortwo's ability to withstand a serious collision.

• "All cars have skeletal frames that surround the passenger compartment. Smart brands its the Tridion Safety Cell and says its numerous cross-members and extruding crush zones -- including the wheel axles themselves -- leave little room for another car to strike a soft spot." -- Cars.com
• "At roughly a third the weight of a large luxury sedan...the Fortwo would be at a profound Newtonian disadvantage in most any vehicle-to-vehicle collision. So, the first question potential buyers must consider is a cosmic version of: Do I feel lucky?" -- Los Angeles Times
• "Though Smart boasts a safety-cage construction, beware. When all that separates you from an 18-wheeler is a bag of groceries behind the seat, a Suburban doesn't seem so bad." -- Chicago Tribune
• "Once on the road I felt perfectly safe until a huge Kenworth pulled up alongside. In spite of all the reassurances from the smart people I did feel rather intimidated." -- The Auto Channel