Smart has made a strong return to the Australian market, achieving excellent safety ratings. The brand’s all-new electric vehicles, the Smart #1 and Smart #3, earned solid scores across ANCAP’s multi-pillar assessment resulting in a 5-Star Safety rating for both.
Safety Features and Performance
Both the Smart #1, a small SUV, and the Smart #3, a small car, come equipped with an extensive array of safety features.
Standard across all variants are dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, along with a centre airbag that provides additional protection for front seat occupants during side impact collisions.
ANCAP’s assessments reveal strong safety performance for both models. The Smart #1 scored an impressive 96 per cent for adult occupant protection (36.62 out of 38) and 87 per cent for child occupant protection. Meanwhile, the Smart #3 achieved a score of 90 per cent for adult occupants (36.25 out of 40) and 85 per cent for child occupants.
Vulnerable road user protection also scored highly, with the Smart #1 achieving 70 per cent and the Smart #3 attaining 84 per cent. Both vehicles excelled in safety assist technologies, with the Smart #1 scoring 94 per cent and the Smart #3 86 per cent.
The advanced safety technologies found in both models include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems that cover car-to-car, vulnerable road user, junction assist, and more. Additionally, lane support systems featuring lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW), and emergency lane keeping (ELK) come standard, providing comprehensive protection for occupants and pedestrians alike.
Consumer Confidence and Market Impact
“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,” said Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP Chief Executive Officer. “A pair of very sound safety results.”
The Smart #1’s and Smart #3’s safety ratings are particularly important for consumers looking for vehicles that not only meet modern safety standards but also enhance driving confidence.
With both models assessed under different criteria—Smart #1 under the 2020-2022 standards and Smart #3 against the current 2023-2025 criteria—buyers can feel secure knowing they are selecting vehicles with robust safety credentials.
As the Smart brand continues to expand its offerings, the successful safety ratings of these two EVs provide a solid foundation for future models.
Full details on the safety performance of the Smart #1 and #3 can be found here and here.
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