The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named both the Audi A6 and Volkswagen Passat as Top Safety Picks in the latest round of testing from the independent research firm.
The IIHS is funded by insurance companies to determine safety and reliability data for every vehicle on the market, with the Top Safety Pick only being given to cars that achieve a "good" rating in all of the group's crash tests. The cars must also be equipped with electronic stability control as a standard feature.
Both the A6 and Passat passed all of their tests, including the new roof test, according to Motor Trend. The vehicles improved on previous incarnations of the car with regards to how much weight they would withstand.
"In the Institute's roof strength evaluation, the roof of the A6 withstood a force equal to 4.9 times the car’s weight," the IIHS said in a statement. "The roof of the Passat withstood a force equal to 6.3 times the car’s weight. The test assesses how well the occupant compartment would hold up in a rollover crash. Vehicles with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4 or higher earn a good rating."
Having a safe vehicle can set a driver's mind at ease on the road, but paying attention to regular maintenance is critical to avoiding potential accidents. Things like brake service & repair and properly maintaining tires can help prevent crashes.