2016 Volkswagen Jetta

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Advanced

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2015-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta S 4-door

The Volkswagen Jetta sedan was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Beginning with 2013 models built after October 2012, the side curtain airbags were reprogrammed to deploy in small overlap frontal crashes to improve occupant protection. Beginning with 2015 models, the A-pillars and door sills were strengthened to further improve such protection.

Note: The ratings do not apply to the station wagon version of the Jetta, known as the Jetta SportWagen, which is built on a platform designed earlier.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The dummy's head and torso barely contacted the airbag before sliding off to the left, and the seat belt allowed the dummy to move too far forward, as is evident from the gap between the seat back and the dummy's torso.

The driver's space was maintained very well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1437
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Footrest (cm)	8
Left toepan (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	6
Lower instrument panel (cm)	7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1437
Head
HIC-15	306
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	19
Maximum Nij	0.41
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	2.6
Right	1.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	5
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.41
Right	0.38
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.2
Right	3.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	47
Right	83

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2015-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S 4-door

The Volkswagen Jetta sedan was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Beginning with 2013 models built after October 2012, the side curtain airbags were reprogrammed to deploy in small overlap frontal crashes to improve occupant protection. Beginning with 2015 models, the A-pillars and door sills were strengthened to further improve such protection.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the right side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the right side and approaching the dashboard.

The passenger’s space was maintained reasonably well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP1703
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	14
Footrest (cm)	10
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	6
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Upper dash (cm)	9
Right lower dash (cm)	10

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP1703
Head
HIC-15	289
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.42
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	1.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	4
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.44
Right	0.49
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	33

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP1703
Head
HIC-15	170
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.40
Right	0.23
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.8
Right	2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	65
Right	62

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2011-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4-door

The Volkswagen Jetta sedan was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Two moderate overlap frontal tests of the Jetta were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Volkswagen. Ratings are based on both tests.

These ratings do not apply to the station wagon version of the Jetta, known as the Jetta SportWagen, which is built on a platform designed earlier.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the Institute's moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well (Institute test car shown).

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the roof rail in the Institute's test.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal in both tests, and all leg and foot injury measures were low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1006	CEF1011
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4	8
Left (cm)	9	11
Center (cm)	6	8
Right (cm)	5	5
Brake pedal (cm)	8	4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1	2
Right (cm)	2	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-3	0
Rearward (cm)	-5	-1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1006	CEF1011
Head
HIC-15	173	250
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact	53
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	25	21
Maximum Nij	0.31	0.50
Chest maximum compression (mm)	33	33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.8	3.7
Femur force - right (kN)	1.5	1.7
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0	6
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2	11
Maximum tibia index - left	0.28	0.40
Maximum tibia index - right	0.49	0.76
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0	1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.3	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	72	100
Right	124	123

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2011-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Volkswagen Jetta sedan was redesigned for the 2011 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.

Note: The ratings do not apply to the station wagon version of the Jetta, known as the Jetta SportWagen, which is built on a platform designed earlier.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1004
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-13.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1004
Head HIC-15	97
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	43
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	43
Average deflection (mm)	40
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.98
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.6
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.5
Combined force (kN)	4.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.8
L-M moment (Nm)	31
A-P moment (Nm)	149

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1004
Head HIC-15	313
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	38
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	42
Average deflection (mm)	40
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.83
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.65
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.7
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.2
Combined force (kN)	2.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	59
A-P moment (Nm)	57

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2011-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta S 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	2,963 lbs
Peak force	15,859 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.35

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	35
Distance below top of head (mm)	10
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.0
Head contact time (ms)	53
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	38
Max neck tension (N)	491

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Hybrid SEL Premium trim
GLI SEL trim
SEL trim equipped with Lighting package
SEL Premium trim equipped with Lighting package
Sport trim equipped with Lighting package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	HID projector
High-beam headlight type	HID projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Hybrid SEL Premium trim GLI SEL trim SEL trim equipped with Lighting package SEL Premium trim equipped with Lighting package Sport trim equipped with Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type	HID projector
High-beam headlight type	HID projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-17 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	76.5 m	None
Straightaway left edge	50.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	69.6 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	50.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	49.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	154.0 m
Straightaway left edge	136.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	64.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	64.0 m

Trim level(s)

S trim
S with Technology trim
SE trim
SE with Connectivity trim
SEL trim
SEL Premium trim
Sport trim
GLI SE trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	S trim S with Technology trim SE trim SE with Connectivity trim SEL trim SEL Premium trim Sport trim GLI SE trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-18 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	92.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	45.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	55.9 m	15.8%
250m radius left curve, left edge	44.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	46.9 m	23.1%
150m radius left curve, left edge	39.7 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	168.2 m
Straightaway left edge	128.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	58.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	56.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	47.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	44.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Optional Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking)

Package name

Optional Driver Assistance Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2016 models

Advanced

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SEL TSI
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SEL TSI
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	31
Clearance angle (degrees)	46
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	28
Clearance angle (degrees)	59
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	38
Clearance angle (degrees)	52
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	39
Clearance angle (degrees)	43
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

2016 Volkswagen Jetta

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Child seat anchors