A hood assembly is provided. The hood assembly includes an outer panel having an interior surface and a peripheral edge. The hood assembly further includes a frame mounted to the outer panel. The frame has a contoured section. The contoured section is spaced apart from the interior surface of the outer panel and adjacent a forward portion of the peripheral edge of the outer panel. The contoured section includes an opening disposed on the contoured section so as to facilitate a deformation of the outer panel from a top down load.