SAN DIEGO -- They're "the little cars that could" in Europe, and now Smart Car is hoping to make it big in the United States.

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Images: Smart Cars Rolling Into San Diego
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Starting this weekend, consumers in San Diego will be able to get behind the wheel of the very-compact car.

According to their company Web site, Smart is a member of the Mercedes Car Group whose vehicles are sold in 36 countries throughout the world.

They may be small, but the president of Smart USA, David Schembri, said this car is no joke.

"This is a serious automobile, it has a top speed of 90 mph, it's comfortable to drive and when you're sitting inside, you think you're in a luxury automobile," Schembri said.

They're also cost-effective, starting at $14,000. But are they safe?

The car contains a safety cell that, according to Schembri, "acts much like a roll cage similar to NASCAR." He said it allows the energy in the case of a front crash to go beneath the vehicle to the rear.

As for fuel efficiency, the Smart Car gets 40 miles per gallon, with a top speed of 90 miles per hour, Shembri said.

And parking isn't a problem, since the car can fit into places that would be impossible for most vehicles.

Critics of the Smart Car say despite the company line, these are, in fact city cars and won't work as a utility vehicle for most people.

NBC 7/39 asked people in Kearny Mesa what they thought.

Two people said it was way too small, including one SUV owner who said he needs a bigger car for his family. But one man said the size didn't matter.

Smart Car USA is currently taking orders online, but the company said the cars wouldn't actually arrive in San Diego until January.