Smart ForTwo crash test results and video

With the Smart ForTwo coming to the United States for the first time, we have heard many questions about this microcar’s safety than its fuel economy. How will its occupants fare in a collision? We now have some definitive answers regarding crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); both organizations give the miniscule ForTwo decent marks.

In April, the NHTSA conducted front- and side-crash tests on the redesigned 2008 model, awarding the car four stars for frontal protection for the driver and three for the passenger. In the side crash test, the agency gave it five stars, though flagged a safety concern because the driver door unlatched and opened, creating a risk for occupant ejection.

After viewing the NHTSA test and videos, we were anxious to see how the Smart ForTwo fared in the more stringent IIHS tests. In a report released today, IIHS has given the ForTwo its highest rating of Good in frontal-offset and side-impact tests. As can be seen in the video (search in the Consumer Reports crash test video player), the ForTwo experiences some drama in the tests.

Frontal-offset test
When the Smart strikes the offset barrier, there is precious little structure ahead of the passenger compartment to absorb the crash energy, putting more work on the restraint system. The driver dummy’s head struck the steering wheel through the front air bag, though injury measures were considered Acceptable. The restraints and dummy kinematics were rated Good, matching the overall rating. In watching the video, the ForTwo spins around in what could be an adjacent lane or possibly off the road. Most vehicles do not spin nor move laterally in such a way, raising the possibility of other risks. In the NHTSA test, on the other hand, vehicles are crashed into a flat wall; the ForTwo rebounds expectedly in that test, without rotating or moving sideways.

It is important to note that the IIHS’s frontal-crash-test simulates what would happen if two cars of the same weight and type crashed head-on, left headlight to left headlight. The results can only be compared to other vehicles in the same class. However, there are no other microcars offered in the U.S. by IIHS’s classification. So, while the ForTwo would do well in a frontal impact with another Smart or in a single-car crash, the test results can’t predict how the Smart would fare hitting a larger vehicle. The reality is the Smart will always be the smaller car in a two-vehicle accident.

Side crash test
In the side-impact test, the 3,300-pound IIHS moving barrier pushed the diminutive car quite a distance across the floor of the test center. This test represents the impact from an SUV, and the visual is reminiscent of the Mini Cooper test (check out the video). Again, this could raise the possibility of other risks.

The ForTwo’s stiff side structure and standard side air bags protected the driver, earning the ForTwo a Good rating for side-impact performance. Injury forces recorded on the dummy’s head, neck, torso, pelvis, and left leg were all low. However, the driver door unlatched, as it had in the NHTSA test. As a result, IIHS downgraded the structural rating from Good to Acceptable, however the Institute notes that “the opening didn’t appear to affect dummy movement during the test and injury measures on the driver dummy were low.” Translation: make sure you’re wearing your seatbelt.

The risk of small cars
While the ForTwo performed well overall in the tests by these two organizations, the risk of death is high in crashes of smaller, lighter vehicles. "For vehicles 1-3 years old during 2006," reports IIHS, "minicars experienced 106 driver deaths per million registered vehicles compared with 69 driver deaths in large cars."

The ForTwo is the smallest car offered in the United States, measuring just 106 inches and tipping the scales at a bantam-weight 1,745 pounds. To put it into perspective, our tested Mini Cooper S was 146 inches long and weighed 2,690 pounds. Inquiring about the safety is only natural with the ForTwo.

"All things being equal, in safety, bigger and heavier is always better. But among the smallest cars, the engineers of the Smart did their homework and designed a high level of safety into a very small package," said Institute President Adrian Lund in a released statement. The ForTwo includes seat-mounted side air bags (as opposed to curtain-style, head-protection bags), antilock brakes, and electronic stability control (ESC)—car safety features we recommended you look for in any car. Having ESC in such an inexpensive car is commendable.

There are many small, comparably priced cars to choose from, though admittedly few are as distinctive on the roads, easy to park, or promise such high mileage as the Smart. As with any car purchase, be sure to research all your options to ensure you are making a truly smart decision.

Look for a full road test of the Smart ForTwo in the months to come.

—Jeff Bartlett

View videos of about 250 vehicles evaluated in IIHS crash tests.

For more information on safety, visit our car safety section and read "Crash Test 101."
Discuss Smart cars in the forum.

Comments

[Cale]

"Having ESC in such an inexpensive car is commendable."

Good luck finding a base model Smart car. With high demand and an eight month waiting list you'd be lucky to get the Passion model at MSRP. I expect the car sells at a premium.

A typically-equipped Passion would cost $16,500. For that price you could get a well equipped Honda Fit with seating for 5 (not 2!) and triple the luggage capacity to boot. The Fit is a modern do-anything car, in comparison the Smart car is an in-city toy that in some respects is crude.

Inexpensive? Commendable? The Smart car offers very poor value. I can't believe you'd comment that the Smart is inexpensive. I say something is inexpensive if it offers good value. The Smart car is CHEAP.

[Tom Mutchler]

Cale, for the most part the only way to get a Smart car is one of two ways. You can come up on the list that you joined when you sent in your $99 to the Smart website. Or you can try to find an "orphan" that didn't get bought by the original person who made the reservation. So you're getting whatever was originally ordered.

Dealers are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to sell at MSRP. I haven't heard of cases of selling over MSRP, but there are stories of dealers adding lots of profitable dealership add-ons to orphans; that's probably how they get around not really being able to mark up the car.

[Larry]

Once the novelty wears off I believe you'll be able to get a year or two old Smart at a steep discount. It's no Mini. A Fit, Civic or various other slightly larger cars offer functionally equal economy and are far more capable. The Smart should be safe enough in low speed city traffic, but the laws of physics work against it once on a highway. I wonder if the Smart won't lead to more sales of existing small cars when buyers compare and realize how much car/$ you can get with a Focus or Fit-sized vehicle.

[Paul R]

I suppose a Smart For Two offers better crash protection than say..a moped or motorcycle. But I'd feel a heck of a lot safer in a similarly priced 2006+ Civic Hybrid, which has very impressive crash test results, even better fuel economy, and is somewhat fun to drive.
The used Civic Hybrid may initially cost a little more (a 2006 lists for $19000 in my town), but that's not a bad price for the added safety, the practicality of having 4 seats, and a usable trunk. Plus the long term costs and excellent resale value on a Civic makes it a better purchase in my opinion.

[Stu]

Fair enough post. I have owned a smart car (2008 ForTwo Passion 451 model) since January and it is telling how some respondents have no clue. The car is anything but cheap. I like the car because I get no more than I want (like two seats) yet get a lot of quality and features that I do want. The electronic stability program (from the Mercedes heritage) is brilliant as are many other safety features. The car is designed and manufactured with a wholly different mindset than most cars. You order on the web, you don't have a large corporate overhead and no advertising - these and other differences add up to thousands of dollars in savings resulting in more car for your money (compared to others).

[Bernard Siegal]

I have owned a smart car (convertible) for about one month as a second car. At first it was difficult adjusting to automated five speed but it really works well if you learn to shift it at the correct rpms. Until someone actually has a chance to drive it for awhile I do not think you can really understand how well it works for what it was meant to be. It is somewhat expensive, it only seats two people, it has acceptable acceleration, reasonable gas mileage, rides as well as our Scion xb, has I think quality construction. I had a Honda Fit and it is a great car. The smart car fills a niche that some individuals want. So far it has lived up to our expectations.

[James Stout]

I have a 2005 Smart/Passion Mod: 450. I bought it 3/2007 and now have 24550 miles. I am getting 48-62mpg and one time I got 66mpg. I drive 63 miles round trip to work. I have a car pool buddy to share gas cost. He loves this car too. This is a great road car, I love it on LONG trips. Drive great in the snow too. I was a long haul truck drive (48 states) with 1M miles and I have this car because of the high MPG and because it is SO safe. It looks like a toy on the outside but is a highend car on the inside.

James Stout, RN
nursejamesrn@comcast.net

[Carl S.]

I own a Pure with a/c and silver tridon purchased at MSRP. If you want to order one and wait for it you can get ANY model or feature you want for MSRP. Now "orphans" are different they are cars ordered but not purchased for whatever reason. They become dealer stock at that point. Some dealers add on profit items to raise the profit price some do not. The Pure we got was an orphan at MSRP and we are going to get a 2nd one when our ordered one (eta april-june 2009) show up. And for $16,500 I could get a very nice used Porsche Boxster that is a much better car than a "crude" Honda Fit...BUT I chose a smart pure because that is what I wanted for $3,000 less than your Fit. I only need 2 seats so why pay for the extra rear seat? If you don't "get" what the smart is about then don't buy one thats why there is a choice in the marketplace. And guess what? Hold onto your hat! Micro Cars have been available in other countries for decades! That's right the good 'ole USA is behind the times! I suggest you go buy the car YOU want and just be happy about your car.

[James Down]

I have had a 2006 Smart Passion for just over a year. It qualified for the Canadian Gov't $2000 rebate. The only other car was Prius.
The Smart fortwo is fun to drive with the clutchless shift and park and cruises comfortably at 120km/hr (70 mph) on the highway. Trucks can pass without any buffeting unlike my mini van. With snow tires on, it will plow through anything and not get stuck. The seats are comfortable and certainly support one on long trips. And you can pack a full weeks worth of groceries in the back.
It's to bad that Mercedes does not tout the Smart car as the best fuel economy car on the road today, bar none. My Average, town and country combined over the past 4 months is 58 mpg. What other car does that? Now look at the new safety test results that CR has. Impressive.
Like I said at the beginning, I like my Smart Car.

[Julio]

I have a 2008 Pure. 4500 miles on it since February. So far so good. I wanted a no-frills dependable car, and I got one in this little "roller skate". Safer than my Ninja 500 I can say. Gas mileage...average of 57mpg the minimum i have gotten is 45mpg. Throughout the last 28 years I have owned a series of small cars since I am very fond to them. LeCar, Toyota Starlet, Mitsubishi Champ, Hyundai Charade, Honda Civic, Suzuki Alto 3 cylinder. I have driven the Ford Focus, Honda Hybrids, KIA's and Toyota Scion's. I decided to wait for the Smart after renting one in Europe. The wait was worth it, and it is the best small car I have ever driven, considering the fact that I can tell the difference throughout all these years, enough said. You can't expereicne a car unless you drive one for a reasonable period of time, not just by reading about it in a magazine. If you don't have one, I don't think you are in any position to critique it. If you had a chance to buy one and decided otherwise, same rule applies. You don't know what you are talking about unless you really experience it. We Smart owners can, and in my case I think I have earned my stripes in the small car market and can tell better. Call me arrogant, it is a compliment! Good luck to all.

[alicia]

ahhh!
i want a smart car so bad but these videos scare me!

[ronnie]

i have a1999 ford ranger then someone hit me on the pass side now my engine light on and my air bag lights on the insurance company whats me proof it happen when i had the acceint can you help me to support my word

[Jay]

I have just seen crash simulations on the website for the Fox Business cable TV network, along with an interview about the Smart Car with the editor of Automobile magazine.

After seeing this on Fox Business, of all places, I feel betrayed by Consumers Union to the point that I no longer trust Consumer Reports to keep me and my family safe from shoddy, dangerous products.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Jay - I am puzzled. We explained its crash test performance here in more detail than I have seen anywhere else. Plus, we have a video of the test. In addition, our road test was not exactly overflowing with praise, and the Smart ForTwo is not Recommended.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/models/new/smart/fortwo/overview.htm
We have provided the essential information for shoppers to make an informed purchase decision. The choice is the consumer's, not ours.

[Jay]

Sorry, Jeff, but here are the "highs" and the "lows" that CR lists for the SmartForTwo on your web page for this car as of today:

Highs
Fuel economy, standard ESC, ease of parking, turning circle, access, reliability.
Lows
Transmission, acceleration, ride, agility, noise, seats only two, premium fuel.

I see "standard ESC" listed as a "high" (as if this is a safe car?), but I do not see "tests poor in crashes" listed as a low.

If the vehicle is "Not Recommended", don't you think that CR should be a leader in getting that message out, instead of the Fox Business channel? Where is the big, red banner across the top of the SmartForTwo page that flashes "Not Recommended"?

[Catefarris]

I'd like to see a Smart Car against a semi