2005 Volkswagen Jetta

Rating applies to 2005-10 models built after November 2004

Tested vehicle: 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4-door

The Volkswagen Jetta sedan was redesigned during the 2005 model year. The new design entered production in December 2004, and the earlier design, which is classified as a small car, was produced through October 2004. Note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door.

The frontal offset crash test ratings also apply to the hatchback version of the Jetta, called the Volkswagen Rabbit for the 2006-09 model years and its restyled successor, the Volkswagen Golf and its sporty variant, the Volkswagen GTI, for the 2010-14 model years. The Rabbit, Golf, and GTI are classified as small cars due their shorter overall lengths and lower weights. The ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Jetta, called the Jetta SportWagen, beginning with 2009 models.

Beginning with the 2011 model year, these ratings do NOT apply to the Volkswagen Jetta sedan, which was redesigned again. Also, the ratings do NOT apply to the Golf and GTI beginning with the 2015 model year. However, the ratings still apply to the Jetta SportWagen, which remains essentially the same as 2009-10 models.

Rating applies to 1999-2005 models built before November 2004

Tested vehicle: 1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4-door

The Volkswagen Jetta and Golf were redesigned during the 1999 model year (the old design continued into the early part of the 1999 model year). The Jetta continued in production through 2005 models manufactured until the end of October 2004 (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). A redesigned 2005 Jetta was introduced in March 2005 as a midsize car. The Golf redesign will be delayed until late in the 2006 model year.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a late 1999 model Jetta in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier. Note: Immediately after the test, there was a small fire at the base of the B-pillar. The pyrotechnic device in the belt tensioner had ignited sound insulation material. Soon after this incident, the manufacturer recalled all 1999 Jetta/Golf models to fix this problem, so it doesn't affect the crashworthiness evaluation.

Rating applies to 2005-10 models built after November 2004

Tested vehicle: 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Volkswagen Jetta sedan was redesigned during the 2005 model year. The new design entered production in December 2004, and the earlier design, which is classified as a small car, was produced through October 2004. Note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door.

The frontal offset crash test ratings also apply to the hatchback version of the Jetta, called the Volkswagen Rabbit for the 2006-09 model years and its restyled successor, the Volkswagen Golf and its sporty variant, the Volkswagen GTI, for the 2010-14 model years. The Rabbit, Golf, and GTI are classified as small cars due their shorter overall lengths and lower weights. The ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Jetta, called the Jetta SportWagen, beginning with 2009 models.

Beginning with the 2011 model year, these ratings do NOT apply to the Volkswagen Jetta sedan, which was redesigned again. Also, the ratings do NOT apply to the Golf and GTI beginning with the 2015 model year. However, the ratings still apply to the Jetta Sportwagen, which remains essentially the same as 2009-10 models.

Rating applies to 2005-10 models built after November 2004

Tested vehicle: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta S 4-door

Seat type: All seats AHR manufactured after Nov 2004