In First Institute Crash Tests of Smart Car: Diminutive Two-seater Earns Top Ratings
for Protecting People in Front & Side Crashes
The Smart car is getting a lot of attention for its small size and style, and now it's
earning impressive crash test ratings. In recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo,
the smallest car for sale in the US market, earned the top rating of "Good" for front and side crash protection. Its
seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear
impacts.The Smart has a crashworthy design for its size and is equipped with the latest safety gear--especially
important in a small car. Its standard equipment includes seat-mounted combination side airbags designed to protect
both the heads and chests of the driver and passenger. Also standard is electronic stability control (ESC), called
electronic stability program in the Smart. ESC helps drivers maintain control during emergency maneuvers or on
slippery roads. Read
