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Is the Smart Fortwo a safe car?

It's a cute looking car, but is it a death trap since its so tiny?

Public Comments

1. Its safer than a motorcycle, but less safe than a 3/4 ton pick up. If you get into a crash in a Smart Fortwo you will fare worse than you would in a bigger car, but I wouldn't consider that a death trap. Maybe if kept a loaded bear trap behind your seat it would be better suited for the title of "death trap."
2. i sure would not want to be in that and get hit by a F250 or anything that size, but i bet its about as safe as a pt-loser(cruiser)
3. The Smart cars are actually very safe. The passenger compartment is designed to move independently of the drivetrain module in the event of a collistion. This prevent things the engine from impacting the passenger compartment. If you want to learn more about the outcome of collision testing of the fourtwo read this this link: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/040908.htm
4. Actually, if a semi rolls over on your toyota or honda you don't have much of a prayer anyway. You can build safety into a vehicle, but any self absorbed, reckless driver can render every safety system ineffective. That's why we should be aware and courteous of other drivers. I'm complaining now, but I travel a lot and the things I have seen. If I was a cop, I'd just pull them over and execute them on the spot before they reproduced.
5. "Safe" is relative. Compared to most cars then the Smart car comes quite high in the European safety league. The version that's going to be offered to the American market has been equipped with a 4 airbag safety bag system. But being so light the tendency is for it to be easily deflected in the event of an accident. Its a great city car, but as a long distance vehicle it would be mind numbingly boring. I think that the American market is getting the 1litre turbo 3 cylinder engine. Its still a good car.