Elevated seats allow you to stay on top of complicated circumstances. Because of the raised positioning of the seats the passengers are normally beyond the direct exposure zone on side impact. And the driver has a better view.

Also the steering column has been designed to retract telescopically upon impact and the rear engine design also protects passengers.

The wheels absorb impact and act like mini safety rings. The doors have integrated side-impact resistant aluminum struts. The Smart features two collision boxes. The one in front reinforced with transverse members and slip tubes, and the rear box features an aluminum support. 

The longer wheelbase has wider tracking, and a front suspension system that now gives additional stability in a hard left or hard right situation, added space between the wheels allow for a quicker steering. Assisting you in avoiding that near miss! Active safety!

Furthermore, new head and thorax side airbags offering extensive protection in the event of a side crash are available.

The NHTSA issued a safety concern when "things happen during the test that didn't affect the final ratings but we feel consumers should know about.

The warning from the federal government concerns the driver's door opened in a side-impact crash test, increasing the possibility that occupants could be ejected in an accident.

None the less, the Fortwo received five stars for injury protection in the side test, the highest rating given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

However, please read this article wriiten by Bill Koenig for Bloomberg.com. CLICK HERE