The Cabriolet hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP, but the Smart Fortwo Coupe managed four stars in crash tests, which is somewhat disappointing.

With that said, there are a number of standard and optional safety features on board, and it’s been subjected to additional crash tests – one of which included a ‘roof-drop’ test, which required the vehicle to fall at a slight angle from 50cm onto the roof structure.

Standard safety kit

Hill Start Assist prevents the car from rolling backwards and is standard along with anti-lock brakes, a tyre pressure monitoring system and five airbags.

Stability control is also fitted and doubles as a Crosswind Assist function, activating above 50mph in preparation for sudden heavy crosswinds. By applying individual brakes, this prevents the Smart from being deflected off course at higher speeds.

Optional safety systems

Lane-keeping assistance and forward collision warning can be fitted. The former activates above 40mph and emits both a visual and audible warning if the driver begins to make an unintentional lane change, while the latter provides visual and audible warnings when a vehicle ahead is quickly approaching. This system activates above 4mph.

The Smart Fortwo is more practical than it looks. Its triple-layer roof can be opened in 12 seconds at any speed the engines and gearboxes are capable of, and can also be controlled remotely using the car’s keyfob.

Once the top is down, you can remove the side bars for the full convertible experience, or keep them in place for a bit of a half-way house.

Boot space depends on whether the roof is down – measuring 260 litres – or up, unlocking the maximum of 340 litres of room.

Inside, the cabin is surprisingly wide but clearly there’s only space for two occupants. Still, there are cup-holders for both and storage bins in the door pockets along with a small glovebox and a number of other cubbies to keep smaller items.

The passenger seat folds flat too, which allows you to load long items through the boot up to the dash, meaning carrying that set of golf clubs isn’t as unrealistic as it may seem.