It may be tiny, but it's tough: Smart car gets good marks in crash tests

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The ultra-tiny Smart ForTwo earned top marks in side and front crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Wednesday.

The ForTwo, which is about three feet shorter and 700 pounds lighter than a Mini Cooper, earned the best possible rating of "Good" for front and side impact protection in tests by the IIHS, a private group funded by insurance companies.

"This is important news for consumers who are looking for vehicles that offer both excellent fuel economy and safety," Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA, said in a statement. "IIHS tests are very stringent and highly regarded as indicators of actual crash performance on the road, and we are very pleased with the results."

–By CNNMoney.com's Peter Valdes-Dapena