Four of 12 SUV models have 'good' roofs

ARLINGTON, Va., March 24 (UPI) -- Only four of 12 small sports utility vehicles tested for roof strength in rollover crashes have garnered "good" ratings, a U.S. insurance group says.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in release Tuesday that Volkswagen Tiguan had the strongest roof, while the Subaru Forester, Honda Element and Jeep Patriot also tested in the "good" range.

The Kia Sportage has the weakest roof among the 2008-09 models evaluated, IIHS said. Other findings indicated the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander were "acceptable" while roofs on the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape were deemed "marginal."

"We anticipate that our roof strength test will drive improved rollover crash protection the same way our frontal offset and side impact consumer test programs have led to better protection in these kinds of crashes," said IIHS President Adrian Lund.