The institute's test* follows government findings that gave the Smart four out of five stars on front-end crash testing on the driver's side. While the car's small-is-cool image and 36-mpg gas thriftiness made the timing of its entry in the U.S. market fortunate, safety has remained the question mark.

The new crash results are "really exciting," says Smart USA President Dave Schembri. "It really validates that small can be safe."

About 7,000 Smart cars are plying American roads since the French-made car went on sale earlier this year at list prices ranging from $11,590 to $16,590. Smart USA is part of Detroit's Penske Automotive Group pag, which struck a deal to import the little cars that are already sold throughout the world under a deal with Smart's parent, Germany's Daimler.

Because it lacks front-end crush space, Smart relies more on the car's seat belts and air bags to protect occupants. [The crash test adds quite a few caveats regarding crashes
with large vehicles]

I live in Alaska so I won't be getting one of these. I saw one get eaten by a bear once. lol

My neighbors' parents have one. That thing is so small.

I was wondering how safe it was to drive, especially here in Houston where the roads are littered with big trucks and semis.

Thanks Merrie.

The reason I became curious is b/c the neighbor's friend
parked his "smart car" in front of my house.

The site has a video of the crash-test results, which would obviously be a different result "in a real world crash" with a larger vehicle. The 'high level safety rating' seems a bit disingenuous to say the least!

It's uncommon to see even 'compact' cars nowadays, and as you mentioned, most vehicles are trucks, SUV's and semi's.

The reason I became curious is b/c the neighbor's friend parked his "smart car" in front of my house.

Seriously, doesn't it look like a clown car? LOL. It is freakishly small.

It is freakishly small.

I was just talking to another neighbor about it and I told him it looks like a "coffin-car" and the "jaws of life" would have to remove the people in pieces. He said that it would
probably get damage in a collision with a big dog!

He said that it would probably get damage in a collision with a big dog!

LOL! I thought it might be easy to tip over.

I thought it might be easy to tip over.

Really!

I saw one get eaten by a bear once

Whoa...