"Smart" Car Is Safe, Too, Study Says

Car Less Than 9 Feet Long Gets High Marks In Crash Tests

(CBS/AP)  Unlike most cars on the road, the pint-sized 2008 Smart fortwo evokes a simple question at first glance: "How safe is it?"

The micro car, the smallest car for sale in the U.S. market, offers a good level of safety, according to new crash tests conducted by the insurance industry.

The 8-foot, 8-inch vehicle received the highest rating of good in front-end and side-impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helping address some concerns that consumers may be more vulnerable in the tiny two-seater.

The tests, released Wednesday, show how well vehicles stack up against others of similar size and weight. The institute noted that the front-end test scores can't be compared across weight classes, meaning a small car that earns a good rating isn't considered safer than a large car that did not earn the highest rating.

Adrian Lund, the institute's president, said a small car may be more practical in congested urban areas where serious, high-speed crashes are less likely. The institute conducted the crash test to help guide consumers who want a small car that can give them good protection.

"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," Lund said.

The institute's frontal crash test simulates a 40 mile per hour crash with a similar vehicle. The side crash simulates what would happen if the vehicle was struck in the side by a sport utility vehicle at 31 mph.

In a test that assessed the vehicle's protection in rear crashes, the fortwo received the second-highest rating of acceptable.

Smart, a division of Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz brand, has arrived in U.S. showrooms this year as consumers deal with rising fuel prices. The automaker has received more than 30,000 reservations for the vehicle - which has a base price of more than $12,000 with destination charges included and more than $17,000 for a fully loaded Smart passion convertible. Customers are putting down $99 to reserve a car.

The vehicle, which had sold 6,159 units through the end of April, gets 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. However, those numbers still trail the Toyota Prius, which gets 48 miles per gallon in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, reports CBS News correspondent Susan Koeppen.

The fortwo is more than 3 feet shorter and nearly 700 pounds lighter than a Mini Cooper.

In earlier crash tests conducted by the government, Smart received the top score of five stars in side testing but the driver door unlatched during the test and opened. While it did not affect the vehicle's test score, government regulators said the incident required them to note a safety concern for the vehicle which will appear on window stickers at dealerships.

The concern was warranted because the unlatching of the door could increase the likelihood of a driver or passenger being ejected from the vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

When the IIHS conducted its side test, the driver door also became unlatched. But the institute said the injury measurements on the test dummy were low and the opening didn't affect the dummy's movement.

The 1,800-pound car has a steel safety cage and four standard air bags, including two in front and two on the sides to protect the head and abdomen. It also has standard electronic stability control, which is designed to stop vehicles from swerving off the road.

"America has never seen a car this size before and their first question usually isn't about (fuel) economy, it's about safety," said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA. "And that's why we think these results are so very important."

[extremophil]

When you''re trapped underneath a burning 18-Wheeler I guess it will be a comfort to know that you are still alive.

[djberson]

I rented and drove one of these in Italy, and it was a menace. The suspension is so rudimentary, it reminded me of the ride of cars of the 1940''s I have driven. Very poor handling by today''s standards, even on the highway. And when I was caught in a rainstorm on the same highway, the wipers were so poorly designed that they barely did their job. Overall, I think drivers would be more prone to accidents to begin with in this car.

[shanev137]

I''m sure that rollerskate would bounce really far after being rear-ended by a Hummer.

[mecury69]

Don''t live to die. Boxing yourself into a 3,000lb steel cage ''just in case'' something happens is no way to go through life.

Buy something fun and enjoy driving it. Driving an armored personnel carriers (SUV''s) to keep safe from a futuristic car accident that is in no way, shape or form destined to happen is silly when you REALLY think about it.

[excoachken]

I''ve seen these cars going over 80 on the Autobahn and wonder just what would happen if it were to tip over. I think it could set a world''s record for tumbles and the passangers would become "scramble eggs." Cute, like the old VW Bug, but not as inexpensive to buy and just about as dangerous. The one saving grace is that two of them can park side by side, perpendicular to the sidewalk, in a traditionally sized parallel parking spot designed for one "normal" vehicle.

[incog-nito]

It''s not just the size. It''s the technology that goes into making a small car safe. American manufacturers do this by crudely slapping a lot metal together. No wonder why they keep falling behind the imports.

[norurb]

Smart Car is a bad idea!! Bring back the 1992 Honda Civic VX, seats 5 and gets better gas mileage than this "Smart" Car.

[Razzl]

People are going to be fooled by the profile, but the weight and price of this car is almost exactly the same as a Hyundai Accent and probably a number of other compact cars on the market. So it isn''t a "toy" or a super-subcompact, it just looks like one...

[incog-nito]

A Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris makes a lot more sense than the Smart Car. But in its defense it''s not really about carrying people or efficiency. It''s really designed to make urban parking as easy as possible. And for its size it''s about as safe as it can be. Great for Europe, not so sure about America.

[bgddy58]

Extremophil wrote: "When you''''re trapped underneath a burning 18-Wheeler I guess it will be a comfort to know that you are still alive."

True - in ANY car!

[wakeup60]

How can this rollerskate be SAFE! It''s a cute thing...and it would be so much fun to drive/maybe to go to the grocery store or neighborhood shopping/very short trips and not in traffic...but to actually drive this on a busy street or highway/smashed flat like a bug on a windshield...you would not have a chance/get serious! I''ve been in "4" Totalled wrecks...not one of them/my fault...If I hadn''t been in something with alot of metal around me/I wouldn''t be here/I''ve had 2 small cars/2 sports cars and people can''t see you or they are out to get you/like a motorcycle...no thanks even with the gas the way it is/I''m sticking to my larger car/just can''t drive it much with the gas out of this world & climbing to $5.00 a gallon/We''re in a pickle, folks.

[rf35]

Make it a hybrid and I bet it would blow the Prius out of the MPG water. Until then, I''ll wait. I want the most miles for my buck, not just an easier parking experience.
I''m glad I don''t live in constant fear of being in an accident like some people here. I have been hit twice by drunk drivers, but I won''t let that determine the car I drive. I''m probably a safer driver as a result. If I am going to get hit at highway speeds, I doubt it will make a whole lot of difference what I''m driving...a big SUV just means more twisted metal to pull my body out of. In fact, I''d wager that the (false) sense of security people get from big vehicles make them more dangerous on the road.

"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," Lund said.

====

Bigger and heavier is selfish. If everyone drove small cars, they would be safer.

Semis are not the main problem. Those are professional drivers, and most semi drivers are safer than most of the SUV drivers. Besides, a small car isn''t much different from an SUV if it gets hit by a semi.

So the problem is SUVs and other large vehicles. They waste fuel, and they are a danger to others. Sometimes they are even a danger to their occupants, because they roll over more easily.

Another danger is alcohol. So many accidents are caused by alcohol. We need to crack down and change the culture that expects people to drink and drive (especially here in WI).

[enlightenu]

Here''s a great video of a smart car hitting a wall at 70 mph

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJHpUO-S0i8

[nobdehom]

Oh common..I figured it would get more gas milage than that! It is to small and funny looking I figured it bet out all other vehicles! Hey they are advertising aggresively, "beach scooters" that get 180 miles to the tank.

[nobdehom]

I''m sorry that would be 180 miles per gallon...however they may only hold a gallon at a time! VRRRMMMMM VRRMMMMM! Move over Cali! Here I come!

[nobdehom]

What is acually funny to see..is men with three piece suits with there jacket tails flapping in the wind zipping around on those fancy three wheel BMW cycles.

[rf35]

Here''''s a great video of a smart car hitting a wall at 70 mph

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ
HpUO-S0i8

Posted by enlightenu at 01:42 PM : May 14, 2008

Fortunately, I''m not planning on driving into any walls at 70 mph or any other speed.

[olebd]

The Mini Cooper is far superior.

[crazy_delco]

wakeup60: When just your airbags deploy in any accident will make it a total loss in an accident, so that is not a good analogy...This car is safe for it''s class and weight. Just because it is small and "CUTE" doesn''t mean that the ridged steal frame will not save the occupants. As it was stated before, if everyone drove a small compact car...everyone will be safe; well for the most part.

[differnet]

maxify55,

You and your suburban are the problem. The personality profile for drivers of SUVs has one overwhelming trait; selfishness. I hope you and your suburban love $5.00 a gallon.

[jophis7]

Maxify55, if somebody choses to drive a comfortable vehicle I really don't see where its your business to judge. Our larger problem are self righteous liberals who are so riddled with the guilt they inflict on themselves with their junk science that they can't stay out of other people's business. If you would like to die a horrible death while driving a tin can, go for it- by all means. The smart people will be driving smething a bit heftier.