Rollover evaluations

Midsize luxury/near luxury cars

To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle's roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle's weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio. This is a good assessment of vehicle structural protection in rollover crashes.

Each model is rated based on our measured curb weight of a vehicle with typical engine, transmission, and equipment options. However, when the same model is available in a configuration over 10% heavier than the typically equipped vehicle, a separate rating is assigned.

More about how we rate vehicle roof strength

Good   Acceptable   Marginal   Poor   |   Vehicles are listed in order of performance

Model	Overall rating	Curb weight (lb)	Peak force (lb)	Strength-to-weight ratio
Mercedes C class 2008-13 models		3,510	18,826	5.36
Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2012-13 models		3,567	19,099	5.35
Lexus ES 350 2013 models		3,558	18,556	5.22
Rating applies to both the ES 350 (tested) and the ES 300h (hybrid) models.
Lexus ES 350 2007-12 models		3,601	18,649	5.18
Acura TSX sedan 2012-13 models		3,634	18,306	5.04
BMW 3 series 2012-13 models		3,516	17,527	4.98
Volvo S60 2011-13 models		3,563	17,650	4.95
Lincoln MKZ 2010-12 models built after April 2010		3,371	16,117	4.78
Audi A4 2009-13 models		3,523	16,197	4.60
Acura TL 2012-13 models built after September 2011		3,710	17,057	4.60
Lincoln MKZ 2013 models		3,864	17,357	4.49
Volkswagen CC 2009-13 models		3,419	15,057	4.40
Rating does not apply to 4-wheel drive V6 model. Rating of this model is Acceptable.
Infiniti G 2007-13 models		3,626	14,435	3.98
Lexus IS 250/350 2006-13 models		3,580	14,093	3.94
BMW 3 series 2006-11 models		3,398	13,302	3.91
Lexus HS 250h 2010-12 models		3,650	13,141	3.60
Saab 9-3 2003-11 models		3,344	11,482	3.43
Lincoln Zephyr 2006 models Lincoln MKZ 2007-10 models built before May 2010		3,394	11,300	3.33