Now that the Smart #1 is about to go on sale in Europe, it is time to subject the electric vehicle (EV) to some crash tests. The SUV snagged a perfect 5-Star rating at the Euro-NCAP with an Adult Occupancy score of 96 percent, that’s even higher than a Tesla Model S!

With a score of 96 percent in the Adult Occupancy category, the EV has the highest score amongst models from Chinese manufacturers. It even trumps more expensive EVs like the Nissan Ariya (86 percent), Toyota bZ4X (88 percent), and even the Tesla Model S (94 percent).

Meanwhile, the Smart #1 scored 89 percent in the Child Occupancy category. The score is much higher than fellow Chinese brand Ora Funky Cat, better known to us as the Good Cat, which only scored 83 percent.

Other scores include 71 percent in the Vulnerable Road Users category and 88 percent in the Safety Assist category.

Also read: Ora Good Cat EV scores 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash test, ahead of BMW i4

The Smart #1’s score in the Safety Assist category is not as high compared to other Chinese EVs like the Funky Cat (93 percent).

Based on the data, the EV scored full points for Occupant Status Monitoring, Lane Support, and AEB Car-to-Car tests, however, the EV only scored 1.5 out of 3 in the Speed Assistance test.

Euro-NCAP comments that though the EV uses camera-based traffic sign recognition as part of its speed assistance system, it still doesn't fully meet the safety programme’s requirements. Hence the lower scores on that particular test.

The Smart #1 made its world debut back in April in Berlin. Deliveries of the EV will start in January 2023 in both Europe and the United Kingdom. Prices for the company’s first-ever SUV start from EUR 41,490 (~RM 195,000).

Also read: First look at Smart #1 - Soon to be Proton Edar's first EV, developed by Mercedes-Benz, built by Geely

Built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, the SUV packs a 66 kWh battery and is good for a range of up to 440 km based on the WLTP. AC charging goes up to 22 kW while DC supports up to 150 kW.

The rear-mounted motor produces 272 PS and 342 Nm while the EV’s top speed is rated at 112 km/h.

Also read: First EV to be sold by Proton, are Malaysians willing to pay RM 120k for the Smart #1?

Closer to home, the EV is earmarked to lead Proton’s EV push in the country under Proton’s newly established subsidiary PRO-NET. The Smart #1 is expected to go on sale by 2023 to benefit from the EV tax exemption introduced by the previous government.

Also read: Proton's subsidiary Pro-Net launches Smart Malaysia's official FB page