Small overlap front: driver-side
Rating applies to 2016-22 models
Tested vehicle: 2016 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T S 4-door
The Volkswagen Passat was redesigned for the 2012 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 2016 models, the A-pillars and door sills were strengthened and the side curtain airbags were lengthened to further improve such protection.
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 to the extent the head hit the steering wheel rim. 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 well.

During the crash, the dummy's head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off to the left, and the seat belt allowed far too much forward movement of the dummy.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Rating applies to 2016-19 models
Tested vehicle: 2017 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T S 4-door
The Volkswagen Passat was redesigned for the 2012 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 2016 models, the A-pillars and door sills were strengthened and the side curtain airbags were lengthened 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, allowing the head to move far enough forward to hit the dashboard. 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 slid off the right side of the frontal airbag and moved far enough forward to hit the dashboard hard.

The passenger’s space was maintained reasonably well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.
Moderate overlap front: original test
Rating applies to 2012-22 models
Tested vehicle: 2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4-door
The Volkswagen Passat was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.
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 |
Side: original test
Rating applies to 2012-22 models
Tested vehicle: 2012 Volkswagen Passat S 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
The Volkswagen Passat was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.
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 |
Roof strength
Rating applies to 2012-22 models
Tested vehicle: 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4-door
Overall evaluation | |
---|---|
Curb weight | 3,256 lbs |
Peak force | 20,592 lbs |
Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.32 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Power leather seats
Overall evaluation | |
---|---|
Dynamic rating | |
Seat/head restraint geometry |
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)
- S trim equipped with Lighting package
- SE trim equipped with Lighting package
- SE with Technology trim equipped with Lighting package
- SEL trim equipped with Lighting package
- R-Line trim equipped with Lighting package
- R-Line with Comfort trim equipped with Lighting package
- SEL Premium trim
- V6 SEL Premium trim
Evaluation criteria | Rating |
---|---|
Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
High-beam headlight type | LED 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 good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. 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 fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
Trim level(s)
- S trim
- SE trim
- SE with Technology trim
- SEL trim
- R-Line trim
- R-Line with Comfort 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 inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
The low beams never exceeded glare limits.
High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2015-22 models
Evaluation criteria | Rating |
---|---|
Overall evaluation | |
Vehicle trim | SE |
Seat type | leatherette |
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 | SE |
Seat type | leatherette |
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 |
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s) | |
No hardware available |
Details by seating position
Position | Rating |
---|---|
1 | |
Tether anchor | |
easy-to-find location | |
no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
Lower anchors | |
not too deep in seat | |
not too much force needed to attach | |
easy to maneuver around anchors | |
2 | |
Tether anchor | |
easy-to-find location | |
no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
Lower anchors | |
none available | |
3 | |
Tether anchor | |
easy-to-find location | |
no other hardware could be confused for anchor | |
Lower anchors | |
not too deep in seat | |
not too much force needed to attach | |
easy to maneuver around anchors |