The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Se stands out as a reliable and safe vehicle, especially when considering models built after November 2004. This article delves into the safety ratings of the 2010 VW Jetta SE, providing a detailed analysis based on rigorous crash tests. For those prioritizing safety in a compact sedan, understanding these ratings is crucial.
The safety assessments discussed here are based on tests conducted on a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4-door, equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags. It’s important to note that Volkswagen redesigned the Jetta in 2005. The model discussed here represents the new design introduced in December 2004, distinct from the earlier, smaller design produced until October 2004. You can verify the manufacturing date of your vehicle on the certification label located on or near the driver’s side door.
These safety ratings are not only applicable to the sedan version but also extend to other Volkswagen models sharing the same platform from this period. This includes the hatchback versions known as the Volkswagen Rabbit (2006-2009 models), and its successor, the Volkswagen Golf and the sporty GTI (2010-2014 models). Even the station wagon variant, the Jetta SportWagen (starting from 2009 models), falls under these ratings. These models, categorized as small cars due to their dimensions, share similar safety characteristics.
However, it’s critical to understand the limitations of these ratings. They do not apply to the redesigned Volkswagen Jetta sedan starting from the 2011 model year, nor do they apply to the Golf and GTI from the 2015 model year onwards. Interestingly, the Jetta SportWagen maintained its design from the 2009-10 models, meaning these ratings do continue to apply to it even beyond 2011.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The table above summarizes the overall safety performance of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SE and similar models in crash tests. An overall evaluation of “Good” (G) signifies a high level of safety. Specifically, the structure and safety cage of the vehicle were rated “Good,” indicating a robust design that holds up well in a crash.
The driver and rear passenger injury measures also received “Good” ratings across all categories: Head/Neck, Torso, and Pelvis/Leg. This demonstrates effective protection for occupants in various body regions during a frontal offset crash. Furthermore, both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated as “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of the airbag systems in preventing head injuries.
In side impact crash tests, the side curtain airbags played a crucial role in protecting the occupants. The images below illustrate how these airbags deploy to shield the head from contacting hard structures within the vehicle.
The technical measurements from these tests provide a more granular view of the Jetta’s safety performance. For instance, measures of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side indicate how much the structural elements of the car intruded into the passenger space during the crash.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID | CES0506 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -15.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
The B-pillar intrusion measurement of -15.5 cm shows that the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, indicating good structural integrity and protection of the occupant space.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0506 |
| Head HIC-15 | 302 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.04 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.62 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.4 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.8 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 88 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 32 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0506 |
| Head HIC-15 | 134 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 42 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.53 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.55 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 3.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.2 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 2.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 148 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -46 |
Detailed driver and passenger injury measures, such as Head Injury Criterion (HIC), neck forces, shoulder deflection, torso deflection, pelvic forces, and femur forces and moments, are within acceptable limits, reinforcing the “Good” ratings. These measurements are crucial for engineers and safety experts in understanding the specific forces and impacts experienced by occupants during a crash.
In conclusion, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SE, along with its similar models from the same era, offers commendable safety performance. The “Good” ratings across all evaluated categories, supported by detailed technical measurements, make it a strong contender for buyers prioritizing safety in a used vehicle. When considering a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SE, these safety ratings provide valuable reassurance regarding its crashworthiness and occupant protection.
