Actually, I've heard they're impressively safe.
That silver slash up the back of the door is actually part of their steel safety cage. The car is essentially a safety cage and (small) crumple zones with some (very little) sheet metal around it.
I don't know if I'd care to take a hit broadside or T-bone something at 70 mph, but if you're driving it soley as an urban commuter, it should be fine.