Finding more eco-friendly yet efficient ways to travel and get to places is a constant element in everyday living. From running errands to going to work, commuting or driving a car, especially a smart car to get most of these done in a day is always a smart option.
However, as smart cars become very popular, we face another surge in oil prices, their popularity resumes. However, everyone’s wondering: are Smart Cars safe? Let’s find out.
Smart Cars Manufacturer
German car manufacturer, Mercedez-Benz, is the company behind Smart Cars. Originally, it was designed by Nicolas Hayek, the famous inventor of Swatch watches, to serve as a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly in-city vehicle. But when initial sales were slow, he sold the model to Daimler-Benz, the German maker famous for Mercedes-Benz cars.
Mercedez-Benz is known for creating impressive and safe vehicles, and being the manufacturer of Smart Cars; then you’d get the reputation of a known car manufacturer as a guarantee.
Smart Cars Impressive Features
Smart cars measure only 8 feet long and 5 feet wide which is half the size of traditional cars. The ForTwo model carries only two passengers, making it perfect for running errands and quickly getting around the city.
The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the car’s fuel efficiency for city driving at 32 mpg (miles per gallon). If you drive it on the highway, the fuel efficiency is at 39 mpg. You may think it’s impressive, but many compact cars now surpass those numbers. However, ForTwo has released hybrid and fully electric versions that can further address rising fuel prices.
What makes these vehicles truly impressive is their size. You can easily fit three ForTwo models in a single parallel parking spot, making it the winner in the battle for parking.
But are they safe?
Smart Cars Safety Ratings
Looking at these small cars cruising the streets, most people are curious about their safety. They look cute and fuel-efficient, but are they safe, and should we trust them?
For some people, safety means the car must have the latest technology, such as blind-spot monitoring and modern conveniences. However, the best test of car safety is a crash-test rating.
Agencies like the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) conduct crash tests on vehicles and release safety ratings to guide the public on what they should expect. They gave the ForTwo Smart Car a rating of 4 out of 5 for frontal, side, and rollover crashes.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a US non-profit agency conducting crash test ratings, has given the Smart Car 3 out of 5 stars for adult occupant protection. They also gave “Good” ratings for front and side crash protection.
Professional agencies and independent curious creators have given these cars a trial run and certified their safety.
Smart Cars Safety Features
Why are these cars safe? First, they were created with a Tridion Steel Safety Cell, which acts as a strong cage surrounding the car’s occupants. This hemispherical cage is made of pure, hard steel, making it impossible to crumble or crush. In case of a crash, distortions are prevented, keeping everything inside intact.
The car’s crumple zone, located at the car’s front, absorbs all the kinetic energy from an accidental impact. So while that front is crumpled, you can rest easy that the insides are intact.
Other safety features include anti-lock brakes, side and knee airbags, and intelligent seatbelts that detect motion changes. The smart car outperforms larger vehicles in gas mileage and safety, considering it’s only a 1500-pound vehicle.
Despite their size, larger vehicles are generally safer than smaller ones. Small cars are subject to more force in an accident than their larger counterparts. So if safety is your top priority, a mini car might not be your best option.
Should You Buy A Smart Car?
Before making your decision, determine what is more important for you. Is it safety or economy? What would you use the car for? If you are an eco-conscious consumer and after the economy in fuel prices, this vehicle will be a good secondary car that you can use to run errands in the city. It’s also relatively safe and can protect you when driving, whether in the city or in the highway.
However, most people are still apprehensive about driving smart vehicles on the highway. Also, despite the crash test ratings, we can’t argue that larger vehicles are better than tiny ones. While they occupy more space on the road, they can hold more and provide better protection for the riders in the event of accidental crashes.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours. What features do you value, and what is your goal for getting another car? While a Smart Car may not be everyone’s choice, especially as a primary car, it can be a good second car for those quick trips around the city.
For more articles about vehicle safety, check out our blogs at Be-Safe.
Daisy is the engine behind Be-Safe.org — from content production to product reviews and more. What drives her is the passion to make home security information easily available.
