IIHS gives 2011 Cadillac CTS, Infiniti M good ratings in rollover test

2011 Infiniti M37

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced yesterday that the 2011 Cadillac CTS and 2011 Infiniti M37/M56 earned the top rating of good in roof strength tests that assess how well vehicles would protect occupants in rollover accidents.

In comparison, the Lexus GS and Audi A6, both tested as 2010 models, are rated acceptable, and the Acura RL, also a 2010 model year vehicle, is rated marginal for rollover protection.

“After the latest roof strength tests, the CTS and M37/M56 also earn the Institute’s Top Safety Pick award with good ratings in all 4 Institute safety evaluations, and electronic stability control, which research shows can help drivers stay out of crashes altogether,” IIHS said in a statement.

“The test results show that manufacturers are moving quickly to improve the rollover safety of their newest designs,” says Institute president Adrian Lund.

The Institute evaluates rollover protection using a roof strength test. In this test 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. Good rated vehicles have roofs that can withstand a force equal to at least 4 times the vehicle’s weight.

– By: Omar Rana