SUBARU COLLECTS BEVY OF AWARDS AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Bolstering its tremendous seven-year sales growth, Subaru’s product line-up is also receiving strong recognition: at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show the company collected no less than four separate awards for its products. 

Subaru won the 2015 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award for the Brand category. These awards are based on Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars for the initial five-year ownership period. 

Motorweek awarded the all-new 2015 Legacy its Drivers' Choice Award for Best Family Sedan. Each year, MotorWeek editorial staff selects the best models in a variety of lifestyle categories ranging from family sedan to luxury car, to large utilities and pickups. From that group, an overall best of the year is chosen. 

U.S. News and World Report gave Subaru its 2015 Best Wagon for the Money award for the best-selling Outback. To find the award winners, U.S. News combines the average price paid from TrueCar, Inc. and five-year total cost of ownership data from Vincentric, LLC with their rankings data. The U.S. News rankings are based on the opinion of the automotive press about a car's performance, interior features and interior comfort, along with reliability and safety ratings.

Consumer Guide® Automotive awarded the Subaru BRZ with a “Best Buy Award” in the Sporty/Performance Car category. This is the second consecutive win for the BRZ in the category. Editors of Consumer Guide® Automotive test drive more than 150 new vehicles each year and select the top ones in each class as Best Buys. A vehicle does not become a Best Buy based solely on objective ratings; it also has to distinguish itself as being a good dollar value compared to others in the class.

The awards given to the Legacy model in particular cap a strong launch for the all-new 2015 model which has earned attention from media writers for its much improved interior, entertainment and connectivity, as well as improved ride and handling. Further to its status as an IIHS Top Safety Pick, Legacy was also named "Best Car to Buy 2015" By The Car Connection and “Best New/Redesigned Car $25,000-$30,000” in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Top Picks for 2015.

In January 2015, Subaru recorded a 24 percent increase over January 2014. These results continue the company’s sales momentum from 2014 where Subaru achieved six consecutive years of record sales and exceeded 500,000 annual sales – a first in company history. 

All seven 2015 Subaru models have Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards – two with Top Safety Pick and five with Top Safety Pick+ including the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, and XV Crosstrek, when equipped with optional EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. In January, Subaru also earned Kelley Blue Book’s prestigious 2015 Best Resale Value Brand Award and three vehicle segment awards – Compact Car Category: 2015 Subaru Impreza; Sporty Compact Car Category: 2015 Subaru WRX; and Mid-Size Car Category: 2015 Subaru Legacy. 

Subaru Announces Pricing on All-New 2015 Legacy Models

• Well-equipped 2.5i models begin at $21,695
• 3.6R Limited models offer High Torque CVT starting at $29,595
• Roomiest Legacy ever with largest passenger cabin in the midsize segment
• Higher level of comfort, quiet and refinement
• New safety and infotainment technology

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing on the all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy models. The Legacy has been completely redesigned and offers a compelling blend of standout design, interior refinement, safety technology and higher fuel efficiency.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i comes standard with Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with manual mode and paddle shift control switches and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with a starting price of $21,695. This is less than a 2-percent cost increase compared to the outgoing model and the 2015 model comes with additional standard equipment and safety features. The 2.5 liter Boxer engine has increased to 175 horsepower and delivers impressive fuel economy of 26 city/36 highway MPG. Active Torque Vectoring, an enhancement of the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system contributes to more neutral cornering is now standard on all Legacy trim levels. The Active Grille Shutter system that helps to improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance is standard on 4-cylinder models.





Active and passive safety features have been increased for the new Legacy with the inclusion of driver and front passenger seat cushion airbags designed to retain the occupant’s seating position and hold the occupant in place in an accident. LED clearance lights and tail light elements, a Welcome Lighting feature is also new on all trim levels.

Notably, the Legacy 2.5i also includes an improved Infotainment System that includes a 6.2” single-touch gesture and high resolution display, Subaru STARLINK, AM/FM Stereo HD Radio with single-disc
CD Player, Aha and Pandora, Bluetooth audio-streaming and hands-free phone connectivity, Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS), iPod Control and iTunes Tagging capabilities, USB Port, Auxiliary Input Jack, 4-speakers, and a Rear Glass Audio Antenna.

The 2015 Legacy 2.5i Premium has an MSRP of $23,495 – only $200 more (less than 1%) than the comparable outgoing model. The Premium trim level adds All-Weather Package, Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control System, 10-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle, and an illuminated overhead console and front door pull handles.

An upgraded Infotainment System includes a 7” multi-touch gesture and high resolution display, Bluetooth hands-free SMS text messaging connectivity, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (available with a subscription), dual USB ports, 6-speakers, roof mounted satellite radio, and a vehicle information display. 
A moonroof package can be added to the 2.5i Premium for $1,195 and includes a power moonroof and auto-dimming rear view compass mirror with Homelink. Navigation can be added with the Power Moonroof Package for only an additional $500 ($1,695 in total). The Navigation System adds SiriumXM NavTraffic and NavWeather with a subscription, map information via an updatable SD card, and improved navigation voice-activated controls.

The Legacy 2.5i Premium offers the industry’s leading driver assist technology, Subaru Eyesight®, and also adds Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Lane Change Assist (LCA.) It uses radar detection to assist the driver by detecting vehicles on either side of the vehicle that may be in the driver’s blind spots and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) notifies the driver when in reverse of a possible collision danger if a vehicle is detected approaching from a perpendicular angle. Steering Responsive Fog Lights are added to all Eyesight- equipped models and provide increased visibility in the direction of a turn. All of these industry-leading safety features are included together as an option package for only $1,195.

The Legacy 2.5i Premium is available with three option packages (Moonroof Package, Navigation, EyeSight/SRVD Safety Package) bundled together for $2,890.
The Legacy 2.5i Limited provides an impressive list of features and content at a starting MSRP of $26,495. The Limited adds Perforated Leather-Trimmed Upholstery, stylish 18-inch Alloy Wheels, Harman/Kardon® Surround 12-speaker system and 576-watt Amplifier, 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory, dual-mode heated rear seat backs and cushions, Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, fog lights, woodgrain-pattern accent trim, and center console rear A/C outlets. 

Option Packages for the 2.5i Limited include the Moonroof Package, Keyless Access & Push-Button Start, and Navigation that are available individually or bundled for $2,195.

EyeSight can be added to this group for $795 ($2,990 total package MSRP). These packages are also available on the Legacy 3.6R Limited. 

The flagship of the sedan line-up, the Legacy 3.6R Limited, has a starting MSRP of $29,595. It now includes a new, High-Torque Continuously Variable Transmission for the 256-horsepower 3.6 liter, 6-cylinder Boxer engine that improves its estimated gas mileage to 20 city/29 highway/23 combined MPG. HID low beam headlights with automatic height adjustment control, dual/stainless tips exhaust are also standard on the 3.6R Limited. 

The new Legacy is built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA). SIA this year celebrates ten years as a Zero Landfill Facility and continues to be the only U.S. automotive plant designated as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

2015 Legacy models will arrive into dealerships this summer.

2015 SUBARU LEGACY
Model/Trim	Transmission	MSRP	MSRP + destination and delivery
2.5i	CVT	$21,695	$22,490
2.5i Premium	CVT	$23,495	$24,290
2.5i Limited	CVT	$26,495	$27,290
3.6R Limited	CVT	$29,595	$30,390
2015 SUBARU LEGACY OPTION PACKAGES Moonroof Package $1,195 Moonroof Package + Navigation System $1,695 EyeSight + Blind Spot Detection & Rear Cross Traffic Alert $1,195 Moonroof Package + Navigation System + EyeSight +Blind Spot Detection & Rear Cross Traffic Alert $2,890 Moonroof Package +Keyless Access & Start + Navigation System $2,195 Moonroof Pkg + Keyless Access & Start + Navigation System + EyeSight $2,990 Destination & Delivery is $795 and may vary in the following states: CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT. D&D is $945 for dealers in Alaska. Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) on 2.5i models adds $300.

SUBARU INTRODUCES ALL-NEW 2015 LEGACY SEDAN

• Roomiest Legacy ever with largest passenger cabin in the midsize segment

• Fuel efficiency at the top of AWD midsize sedan class with estimated ratings of 26 mpg city / 36 mpg highway for 2.5i model
• Higher level of comfort, quiet and refinement
• Revised powertrains and standard Lineartronic® CVT on all models
• New standard Active Torque Vectoring for greater agility
• New EyeSight driver assistance system with improved camera performance.
• New available safety technology including rear radar with Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• New infotainment technology with available 12-speaker premium audio

CHICAGO -  Subaru of America, Inc. today introduced the all-new 2015 Legacy, delivering a more compelling blend of standout design, interior refinement, safety technology and higher fuel efficiency along with the largest interior passenger volume in the midsize sedan segment. Still the only car in its class with All-Wheel Drive as standard, the 2015 Legacy continues the brand’s safety leadership by introducing an improved EyeSight system and available rear radar system that supports new driver-assistance technologies.

Offering a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines, the 2015 Subaru Legacy comes standard with
Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. With estimated ratings of 26 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined, the 2015 Legacy 2.5i matches or exceeds fuel economy of some midsize models that come only with front-wheel drive. The 6-cylinder model also sees fuel economy improve by 10 percent or more, with new estimated ratings of 20 mpg city / 28 mpg highway / 23 combined.

The new 2015 Legacy arrives in Subaru dealerships in summer 2014 with the 4-cylinder 2.5i model available in Standard, Premium and Limited trim lines, accompanied by the top-of-line 6-cylinder 3.6R Limited.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy is the best-equipped ever, with all trim lines adding new standard amenities. The Limited trim line models offer the highest level of luxury ever in a Subaru, including standard perforated leather upholstery; two-position memory for the 10-way power driver’s seat; a 4-way power front passenger seat; three-mode heated front seats (also standard for Premium) and dual-mode heated rear seats; rear seat air conditioning vents and a high-end surround sound audio system with 12 harman/kardon® speakers.

New Design Language
The 2015 Legacy echoes design themes introduced by the Legacy Concept at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. The production model combines sporty form and efficient function. Key to the sleeker, coupe-like profile is a “nosecone” front section that combines the grille and bumper into one smooth piece. An aluminum hood reduces weight over the front wheels, enhancing steering response. The 2015 Legacy maintains a footprint similar to the model it replaces.

The 2015 Legacy’s windshield is more raked, pulled forward 2.0 in. at the base. The new windshield angle, higher seating hip points, new front partition windows and door-mounted side view mirrors help improve visibility. A 10-percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency contributes to lower fuel consumption. All 2015 Legacy 2.5i trim levels debut a standard Active Grille Shutter system, which helps to improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance when closed.

In the Legacy 3.6R Limited, new standard HID low-beam headlights give the car a more distinctive nighttime signature. The U-shape tail and brake lights on all models use LED bulbs for lower power consumption and a luxurious appearance. Limited trim line models feature turn signal exterior mirrors, which are available as an option for the Premium.

New Safety and Security from a Safety Leader
The 2015 Legacy comes standard with a rear-view camera, now located closer to the center of the car for more natural imaging. A new rollover sensor can deploy the side curtain airbags if an imminent rollover is detected. For added nighttime security, the 2015 Legacy features new standard welcome lighting that automatically turns on cabin illumination and exterior lights as the driver approaches or departs the car. The Limited trim offers a Keyless Access & Start system, as well.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy introduces a new type of airbag restraint and a new available rear radar system. The new front seat-cushion airbags help to keep occupants in place in a frontal collision.

A new rear radar system, which is standard on the 2015 Legacy 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited and available for the 2.5i Premium, introduces the brand’s next step toward full-perimeter preventive safety. The rear radar system offers three functions. Blind Spot Detection detects vehicles behind the C-pillars and in other blind spots; Lane Change Assist detects approaching vehicles when changing lanes, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert detects close vehicles while reversing, such as out of a parking space or driveway. LED indicators on the side mirrors alert the driver. Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses an indicator in the rear view camera display. Also for the 2015 Legacy, new Steering-Responsive Foglights are added, which help illuminate curves for better visibility.

The EyeSight® driver-assist system option for Premium and Limited trim models, integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. EyeSight, which uses Subaru-developed stereo camera technology, is the highest-rated front crash prevention system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2015 Legacy is projected to achieve the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.

Four- or Six-Cylinder BOXER Engines
The 2015 Legacy 2.5i is powered by a double-overhead-cam (DOHC) FB series 2.5-liter BOXER engine that debuted for 2013 and now receives numerous enhancements for lighter weight, improved efficiency and quieter operation. Power is increased slightly, to 175 hp vs. 173 hp before. Peak torque remains at 174 lb.-ft. but is spread over a broader engine speed range for more responsive performance.

With the 2015 Legacy, Subaru continues to offer a 6-cylinder model in the midsize sedan segment. The 3.6-liter BOXER engine produces 256 hp and 247 lb.-ft. of peak torque. For 2015, all Legacy models now come standard with a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission), with the 6-cylinder model using a high-torque version. Changes made to reduce friction in the CVT contribute to higher fuel efficiency in the 2015 Legacy. All models are equipped with Incline Start Assist and the electronic Hill Holder System that holds the vehicle in place until the driver applies the throttle.

Quieter Ride, Enhanced Agility 
The Legacy offers an even smoother, quieter ride for 2015 thanks to a new acoustic windshield, liquid-filled engine mounts, thicker panels in key locations (floor, toeboard, rear wheel apron, inner fenders) and expanded use of foam insulation and floor damping material.

New quick-ratio electric power-assisted steering delivers outstanding feel and also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. Revised spring and damper tuning and geometry and standard 17-inch wheels (18-in. on Limited) endow the 2015 Legacy with greater handling agility. Active Torque Vectoring, an enhancement of the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system also featured on the brand’s high-performance 2015 WRX and WRX STI models, can apply brake pressure to the inside front wheel to facilitate more neutral cornering. The 4-cylinder Legacy now uses the same ventilated rear disc brakes as the 6-cylinder model, in place of solid discs used previously.

More Room, Greater Refinement
With nearly the same exterior footprint as the previous Legacy, the 2015 model offers a roomier passenger cabin, at 104.6 cu. ft. (up from 103 cu. ft.). The added space yields gains in shoulder, hip, elbow and leg room. Rear seat legroom measures a generous 38.1 inches. The Legacy’s trunk has been enlarged to 15.0 cu. ft., up slightly from 14.7 cu. ft. for the 2014 model, a significant point considering that the standard Symmetrical AWD system requires packaging for the multilink rear suspension, a rear differential and drive axles. A standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seat expands carrying capacity.

The driver faces a decidedly sporty instrument panel in the 2015 Legacy, highlighted by two binocular-style gauge pods with center LCD information display -- 3.5-in. on cars without the EyeSight driver-assist system and 5-in. on EyeSight cars. In all models, an ECO gauge indicates and promotes fuel-efficient driving habits using color bars. The Premium and Limited-trim models feature electro-luminescent gauges with elegant blue ring illumination.

Accentuating the passenger cabin’s increased room, the Legacy features a new interior design that highlights horizontal themes. A combination of new soft-touch materials, thicker cushioning for armrests and the center console and new trim styles give the Legacy a more premium feel.

The heater control panel integrates the digital clock and outside air temperature displays, with the time automatically corrected by GPS in navigation-equipped models. A new one-touch lane changer function for the turn signals adds convenience. Legacy Premium and Limited trim levels come equipped with standard auto up/down driver and front passenger windows with pinch protection.

New Infotainment
Subaru significantly upgraded infotainment capability in the 2015 Legacy. A new 6.2 Infotainment System in the Legacy 2.5i model provides AM/FM stereo and HD Radio®, Radio Data Broadcast System, single-disc in-dash CD player, 6.2-in. multi-function touch screen display, Subaru STARLINK connectivity with Aha™ and Pandora® smartphone integration, rear vision camera, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod® control capability, USB port and aux. input jack. The multi-touch display offers swipe and scrolling gestures – much like tablets and smartphones,

The Upgraded Infotainment System in the 2.5i Premium adds a 6-speaker audio system with 7-inch touch screen display, SiriusXM® satellite radio, SMS text messaging, iTunes® tagging capability and dual USB ports.

Standard for the 2015 Legacy Limited trim models, a new high-end audio system combines a 576-Watt equivalent AM/FM/HD Radio unit with 12 harman/kardon speakers, including a front center speaker and a rear subwoofer. The amplifier and speakers use harman/kardon Green Edge technology, which reduces system weight and power consumption.

The Navigation Infotainment System available for the Premium and Limited trim levels, in addition to the multi-function display, features an interactive voice command system that accepts natural language and phrases and also operates the dual-zone automatic climate control system.

A more versatile center console in the 2015 Legacy provides a storage area that can hold an iPad®. A new covered storage bin at the front of the console incorporates a USB port, 3.5mm AUX jack and a 12v power port. Models with high-grade audio or navigation feature two USB ports, making it possible to listen to music and charge two connected devices.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Both 2015 Legacy models are equipped with a newly refined version of the Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical AWD. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively controls torque distribution in response to driving conditions and wheel slippage. The system can send additional torque to the rear wheels either pro-actively or in response to slippage at the front wheels. Taking input from acceleration, steering angle and yaw rate sensors, Active Torque Split AWD optimizes traction and steering response when accelerating through turns and curves, particularly when the road surface is slippery.

Subaru produces a full line of all-wheel drive sedans, crossovers and SUVs, along with the rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car.

About Subaru of America, Inc. 
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

SUBARU AMONG ELITE FEW RATED SUPERIOR IN NEW IIHS FRONT CRASH PREVENTION (FCP) TEST

 •Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback crossover are the only vehicles to receive highest possible score of six points

• Legacy and Outback are two of seven models from 74 tested to receive highest possible “Superior” rating
• In addition, the 2014 Legacy and Outback models are 2013 TSP+ award winners.

Continuing its strong performance in crash testing, Subaru has two models, the top-selling Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback crossover, rated as “superior” in the new IIHS Front Crash Prevention (FCP) test program. The FCP program was created as a result of research by the Highway Loss Data Institute indicating that forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, such as Subaru’s EyeSight system, are helping drivers avoid frontal crashes.

The Institute rated models with optional or standard front crash prevention systems as superior, advanced or basic, depending on whether they offer autonomous braking, or autobrake, and, if so, how effective it is in tests at 12 and 25 mph.

• Superior rating is given to vehicles that have an autobraking system such as Subaru EyeSight and can avoid a crash or substantially reduce speeds in both tests.
• Advanced rating applies to vehicles with autobrake that can avoid a crash or reduce speeds by at least 5 mph in one of two tests.
• Basic rating is for vehicles with a forward collision warning system that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performance criteria.

In all, 74 vehicles (2013-14MY) were tested. Subaru’s Legacy sedan and Outback crossover were among the seven vehicles that received the “highest” possible rating of “Superior” when equipped with optional autobrake and forward collision warning systems. The 13MY/14MY Legacy and Outback were the only vehicles that received the highest possible score of six points.

“We want to help get the most effective systems in as many vehicles as soon as possible. That means a speed mitigation system like Subaru’s EyeSight that can prevent crashes at low and moderate speeds” said David Zuby, IIHS Chief Research Officer.

"Our buyers trust us to provide safety in their vehicles" said Thomas J. Doll, president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "With all of our 2013 models listed as IIHS Top Safety Picks and now the 2014MY Legacy and Outback models tested to 2013 TSP+ and FCP status, this is further proof that we deliver on that trust."

The Subaru EyeSight system is available on the Subaru Forester, Legacy sedan and Outback models and is one of the most affordable of such technologies available. EyeSight uses two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras developed by Subaru and is mounted inside the car on the upper edge of the windshield, thus reducing the potential for damage that could occur in bumper-mounted systems, such as radar. The EyeSight system processes stereo images to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and other items. The video information is relayed to the EyeSight computer, which is also networked with the car's braking system and electronic throttle control. Below speeds of approximately 19mph, EyeSight is capable of detecting pedestrians in the vehicle's path and can activate to mitigate or even avoid the collision. Under certain circumstances, EyeSight is able to bring the car to a complete stop, thus avoiding a collision.

About IIHS
The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of a moderate overlap frontal and small overlap crash test. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Building on its long-running vehicle ratings program for consumer information, IIHS introduced the small overlap test in 2012 to further improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Most automakers design their vehicles for good performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal test and the federal government’s full-width frontal test, but many haven’t addressed the problem of small overlap crashes. In a 2009 IIHS study of vehicles with good ratings for frontal crash protection, small overlap crashes accounted for nearly a quarter of the frontal crashes involving serious or fatal injury to front seat occupants.

The small overlap test is a demanding crash that replicates what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. In the test, 25 percent of a car’s front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on 2-instrumented SID-IIs dummies representing a small (5th percentile) woman, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle's structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry -- the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average size man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can't be positioned to protect many people.
In the roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating for rollover protection, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. This is called a strength-to-weight ratio. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. A marginal rating value is 2.5. Anything lower than that is rated poor.