2011 Saab 9-5, 2011-12 Volkswagen CC Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-5 and the 2011 and 2012 Volkswagen CC received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These cars had previously earned the title, which is awarded to vehicles that receive the agency’s top rating — Good — in front, side and rear crash tests, and have electronic stability control. But that was before IIHS implemented its tough roof-strength test, making it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The VW CC’s roof can withstand 4.4 times its own weight; the 9-5 can withstand 5.85 times its own weight.

The Top Safety Pick designation on the CC applies only to the front-wheel-drive model because the heavier all-wheel-drive model was rated Acceptable in the roof-strength test.

Neither vehicle has been fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side impact test data.

Altogether, IIHS recently completed roof-strength tests for eight midsize/large family and luxury cars. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a Good rating in roof strength, but it was rated Acceptable for rear crash protection. The 2011 BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all earned Acceptable ratings in the roof-strength test.

Comments

Actually, the BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all got Acceptable for roof strength.

Good for them. The saab gets the "ugly mug" award too.

Props to Saab for being safe, but they really need to improve that design... looks pretty lame.

I am doing some closing research on the CC. I am headed to Ohio in 2 days to complete the sale of my new (to me) 2010 VW CC R-Line...amazing and SAFE car!