What I find crazy is that they even FIT!

I have a Honda del Sol, which is pretty tiny, and it's wheelbase is actually 1.5" longer than the VX... that blew my mind. Overall length is also pretty close, the VX is almost 5" longer (but that includes a few inches for the spare). And the del Sol is a tiny 2- seater! So I'm amazed that you have 3 rows of seats in a similarly sized vehicle. I can't comment on safety, not much experience with accidents (knock wood).