ARLINGTON, Virginia — The Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Honda Element and Jeep Patriot earned top "good" ratings in the new roof strength rating system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Tiguan was singled out in the new testing as having "the strongest rated roof," which the institute said will help protect occupants in rollover crashes.
The Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander were rated "acceptable" in the new test. Roofs on the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape were described as "marginal," while the Kia Sportage had the weakest roof among the 2008-'09 models evaluated.
"Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk that people will be injured by contact with the roof itself," said the institute in a statement. "Stronger roofs also can prevent occupants, especially those who aren't using safety belts, from being ejected through windows, windshields or doors that have been broken or opened because the roof has deformed.
A good roof strength rating will be a new requirement to earn the institute's Top Safety Pick award for 2010.
Inside Line says: Another compelling bit of safety information designed to help consumers as they shop. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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