The Safest 2010 SUVs in the Event of a Rollover Accident

It seems like a simple enough equation. You have a vehicle like an SUV which as part of its nature has a higher center of gravity. Therefore you would assume the likelihood of said vehicle ending up rolled over on its roof after an accident to be far higher. As such, wouldn't you be sure to make sure the roof much stronger so passengers would actually survive a rollover crash?

Sadly, it has taken years for SUV roof strength to become a serious enough issue where finally both the IIHS and NHTSA began to perform rollover crash test studies on new cars as a matter of course. In fact, all passenger cars are tested for this same rollover issue and in years past they had far more rigorous roof crush standards. Funny that the SUVs most Americans have used as family transportation were allowed to be built to a lower safety standard.

Alas, things are improving in 2010 for new SUV buyers. There are some options out there that can withstand roof forces about 6 times the vehicle's curb weight. The Government standard is going to become 3 times the weight of the car which should be sufficient for most crashes.

So, to give you the most information when you go out SUV shopping, here is a list of the best and worst performing 2010 models. These models are listed by their IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in descending order as "Good," "Acceptable," "Marginal" and "Poor."

I will also be listing these SUVs by category (small, medium, large) and in descending order with the vehicle with the greatest roof strength listed first. If you want more information about the IIHS rollover rating system go to their website at www.iihs.org.

No one wants to thinks about their SUV flipping over in an accident but the laws of physics demand you pay attention to this vital safety information. Especially as SUVs usually carry people's most precious cargo-their families.

2010 Small SUVs

Good Rating

VW Tiguan

Subaru Forester

Hyundai Tucson

Honda Element

Jeep Patriot

Acceptable

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota RAV4

Nissan Rogue

Mitsubishi Outlander

Marginal

Honda CR-V

Ford Escape

Mercury Mariner

Mazda Tribute

Poor

Kia Sportage

Ford Escape Triplets (Hybrid version)

Medium Sized SUVs

Good

Toyota Highlander

Toyota Venza

2011 Grand Cherokee

Dodge Journey

Ford Flex

2011 Kia Sorento

Subaru Tribeca

Chevy Equinox

Acceptable

Ford Edge

Marginal

Mazda CX-7

Nissan Murano

Honda Pilot

Mitsubishi Endeavor

Honda Accord Crosstour

Luxury Midsize Good

Volvo XC60

Volvo XC90

Audi Q5

Lincoln MKT

Lexus RX

Lincoln MKX (Acceptable)

Large Size SUVs and Large Pickups

None have been tested yet...that sort of makes you wonder why not?

Source: iihs.org