High safety ratings for small cars mean little in real world accidents.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by TC200six

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pVF1Wr7GLQ

Looks like most of us have already forgotten this test. The little Fiat 500 has a 5-star rating, but look how well it holds up against an Audi SUV.

I don't think it holds up very well at all, and imo it isn't deserving of a 5 star rating.
Look at 0:20, the Audi driver's head is properly cushioned by the airbag and is nowhere near making contact with the steering wheel. There is minimal movement of the dash and steering column and the occupants' movement appears to be stable and controlled.
In the Fiat on the other hand, it appears the driver makes contact with the side of the airbag instead of the middle of it, resulting in the driver's head striking the steering wheel and dashboard through the airbag. At 0:47, the drivers body,head and neck appear to be twisted sideways. There is significant A-pillar deformation and dashboard intrusion in the Fiat, both of which are not present in the Audi.
IMO, if that was a real life collision, the Audi driver would walk away, while the Fiat driver would be seriously injured at best.