Smart #1 and #3 score five stars, but one tested against older safety standards
Yesterday at 06:45 PM
Smart vehicles, for the first time, have notched a five-star ANCAP safety score with the all-electric #1 and #3 models.
Both new Smart electric models from the re-launched brand have been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) based on historic Euro NCAP testing data.
As such, the 2024 Smart #1 features a 2022 rating date stamp, while the 2024 Smart #3 was originally examined in 2023 – both subject to the standard six-year ANCAP rating expiration.
ANCAP's testing criteria was last updated in 2023 (in line with Euro NCAP standards) and now include more stringent tests around driver monitoring systems, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) performance, motorcyclist crash safety, and vehicle submergence.
This means that despite both Smart vehicles featuring similar safety equipment and achieving a full five stars, the Smart #1 and Smart #3 were tested under different conditions.
With that in mind, the smaller Smart #1 was awarded a 96 per cent score in the adult occupant protection test, while the child occupant protection examination yielded an 87 per cent result.
The safety assist category scored 94 per cent, while the vulnerable road user protection test was the lowest scoring with 70 per cent.
As for the mechanically related but physically larger Smart #3, it scored 90, 85, and 84 per cent respectively for the adult occupant, child occupant, and vulnerable road user protection tests.
The safety assist category yielded an 86 per cent score for the Smart #3.
ANCAP notes that both models do not feature rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard.
ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg, who admitted the organisation would look closely at incoming new and re-emerging brands, praised Smart for its "sound safety results".
"These five-star results for the Smart #1 and Smart #3 will be reassuring to buyers looking to purchase a new car from this unique brand," she said.
Globally, Smart was a wholly owned Mercedes-Benz brand until Chinese car maker Geely bought a 50 per cent stake in the brand in 2019.
In Australia however, Smart is imported and sold through LSH Auto, a Chinese-owned Mercedes-Benz dealer group, with no involvement from its German partner.
The post Smart #1 and #3 score five stars, but one tested against older safety standards appeared first on Drive.
