All smart fortwos are equipped with a package of passive safety features. Full driver and passenger front airbags and side airbags for head and thorax protection are standard. The steering column will collapse in the event of a serious front-end collision.

The smart fortwo also has a sophisticated safety belt system, incorporating belt tensioners that sense motion changes to reduce slack in a few milliseconds while also triggering a belt force limiter designed to release a controlled amount of pressure on the chest before the pressure becomes too great. In addition, the seats are designed with a strong modular steel structure with integrated headrests.