2012 Volkswagen Passat, 2012 Audi A6 Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests and must have an electronic stability system, which is now a required safety feature on all 2012 vehicles. To pass IIHS’ roof-strength test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The Passat can withstand an impressive 6.32 times its own weight — the highest ratio of any car in IIHS’ category of midsize moderately priced cars. The A6, which earned the award in the category of large luxury cars, can withstand 4.9 times its own weight.

The previous-generation Passat was also a Top Safety Pick, with good rollover protection. The 2012 Volkswagen CC, another midsize car, was named a Top Safety Pick earlier this summer, but only for front-wheel-drive models.

Neither vehicle has been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side-impact test data.