BMW 5 series earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award

The redesigned BMW 5 Series is the first BMW to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award since the organization added a rollover test to its scoring criteria. The Top Safety Pick award recognizes vehicles for earning the highest score of Good on the front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection. To earn this distinction, vehicles must also have electronic stability control, which is standard on the 5 Series.

The Good rating on the side test of the BMW is an improvement over the previous generation, which only scored Marginal. The 2011 model has standard side air bags.

In the rollover evaluation, the 5 Series earned a Good rating. The 4.04 score means the roof can withstand a force of above four times the vehicle weight.

The 5 Series joins the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Toyota Avalon, and Volvo S80 in the large car category for Top Safety Picks for 2010.