America’s Most Dangerous Luxury Cars

1. TSX/ TSX Wagon
> Make: Acura
> Small overlap frontal crash test rating: marginal
> 2011 sales: 19,594
> Price: $30,010
> J.D. Power Initial Quality: 4 out of 5

The Acura TSX Sedan and Wagon were tested separately, and each scored just “marginal” in IIHS’s new frontal crash test, despite receiving perfect scores for IIHS front, side, rear and rollover crashes. The institute conducted two tests on the car because the side cameras were destroyed in the first. In one of the two tests, neither the driver side curtain nor the side torso airbags deployed. The report concludes that “injuries to the left lower leg, ankle, and heel would be likely in a crash of this severity.” Sales of the Acura fell by just 6.4% between 2007 and 2011.

2. 3 Series
> Make: BMW
> Small overlap frontal crash test rating: marginal
> 2011 sales: 94,371
> Price: $34,900
> J.D. Power Initial Quality: 4 out of 5

In the BMW 3-series’ crash test, the side torso airbag did not deploy and the side curtain airbags did not have “sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.” Meanwhile, the footrest came toward the passenger substantially in the crash, which IIHS said could cause injuries to the ankle, heel and right lower leg. For the other four safety tests (front moderate overlap, side, rollover, rear), the vehicle received scores of “good.” Sales of the BMW 3 series in 2011 were 6.5% lower than in 2010 and nearly a third lower from what they were in 2007.

3. MKZ
> Make: Lincoln
> Small overlap frontal crash test rating: marginal
> 2011 sales: 27,529
> Price: $34,755 (Sedan)
> J.D. Power Initial Quality: 5 out of 5

Like most of the cars on this list, the Lincoln MKZ scored “good” on IIHS’s Top Safety Pick tests, but scored marginal on the small overlap frontal crash test. In that test, the dummy’s head and chest “completely missed” the front airbags, while the side curtain airbags did not provide sufficient forward coverage for the head. Nevertheless, the car received highs marks from Consumer Reports for its crash-test results, along with its quietness, ride and handling. 2011 sales of the MKZ and MKZ Hybrid were down nearly 20% from 2007, but sales in 2011 were 22.2% better than in 2010.

Also Read: The Most Dangerous States for Pedestrians

4. CC
> Make: Volkswagen
> Small overlap frontal crash test rating: marginal
> 2011 sales: 29,502
> Price: $28,515 (Sedan)
> J.D. Power Initial Quality: 3 out of 5

The Volkswagen CC sedan debuted in 2008. Despite mixed reviews, including a J.D. Power initial quality score of three out of five, the vehicle has grown its user base. Units sold have increased every year, and went up by 24% between 2009 and 2011. According to IIHS’s small overlap frontal crash test rating, the car’s door was “sheared off its hinges.” The report added, “The CC is the first vehicle the institute has ever evaluated to completely lose its door.” IIHS explained that any vehicle that loses its door automatically fails a test as the driver could be ejected from the vehicle.