The Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, known as the SportWagen in North America, is a versatile and practical vehicle that has been a popular choice for families and individuals alike. For those considering a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, understanding its safety ratings is crucial. This article delves into the crash test performance of the Jetta Wagon, providing a comprehensive analysis based on established safety standards.
This safety assessment primarily applies to Volkswagen Jetta Wagon models manufactured between 2009 and 2014. It’s important to note that the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4-door served as the test vehicle for these ratings. This model was equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags, safety features relevant to the 2012 model year.
It’s worth highlighting the Jetta’s model evolution. The Jetta sedan underwent a redesign in 2005, with the new design entering production in December 2004. The older design, classified as a small car, was produced until October 2004. For specific manufacturing dates, refer to the certification label located on or near the driver’s side door of your vehicle.
Furthermore, the frontal offset crash test ratings are also applicable to other Volkswagen models from this era built on the same platform. This includes the hatchback version, marketed as the Volkswagen Rabbit (2006-2009) and its successor, the Volkswagen Golf and sporty GTI (2010-2014). These models are classified as small cars due to their dimensions.
Crucially, the safety ratings discussed here remain valid for the Jetta SportWagen through the 2014 model year, as it retained the design and safety structure of the 2009-2010 models during this period. However, these ratings do not apply to the redesigned Volkswagen Jetta sedan introduced in 2011, nor to the Golf and GTI models from 2015 onwards.
Crash Test Performance: Excellent Overall Rating
The Volkswagen Jetta Wagon achieved an overall evaluation rating of Good (G) in crash testing. This “Good” rating is the highest possible score, indicating a strong level of occupant protection in the tested scenarios.
| 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 |
This table details the breakdown of the “Good” rating across various evaluation criteria for both driver and rear passenger safety. Notably, the structure and safety cage of the Jetta Wagon also received a “Good” rating, signifying a robust vehicle frame designed to withstand crash forces and protect occupants.
View of the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon and barrier immediately following the crash test, illustrating the vehicle’s structural integrity.
Driver and Passenger Injury Measures: Comprehensive Protection
The crash test results demonstrate effective protection for both the driver and rear passenger in the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon. All individual injury measures for the driver – head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg – were rated as “Good”. Similarly, rear passenger injury measures also received “Good” ratings across the board. This consistent “Good” performance underscores the Jetta Wagon’s commitment to occupant safety in frontal impact scenarios.
Post-crash view of the Jetta Wagon with doors removed, highlighting the deployment of side airbags and the integrity of the passenger compartment.
The inclusion of side airbags and head curtain airbags as standard equipment in the tested 2005 Jetta, and by extension, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, plays a significant role in these positive safety outcomes. These airbags are designed to protect occupants’ heads and torsos in side-impact collisions, further enhancing overall safety.
Action shot from a side impact crash test, demonstrating how the side curtain airbag effectively shields the driver dummy’s head from contact with hard vehicle structures.
Greasepaint markings on the rear passenger dummy’s head, showing the area protected by the side airbag during the crash test.
Technical Data: Detailed Intrusion and Injury Metrics
Beyond the overall ratings, technical measurements from the crash tests provide a deeper understanding of the Jetta Wagon’s performance.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (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. |
This data indicates minimal intrusion into the driver’s side occupant compartment. The negative value signifies that the structural deformation stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, a positive indicator of structural integrity and occupant space preservation.
Driver Injury Measures (Detailed):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0506 |
| Head HIC-15 | 302 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.04 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.62 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.4 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.4 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 88 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 32 |
Passenger Injury Measures (Detailed):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0506 |
| Head HIC-15 | 134 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 42 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.53 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.55 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 3.0 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.2 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 148 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -46 |
These technical measurements provide specific data points related to head trauma (HIC-15), neck forces, shoulder deflection and forces, torso deflection and viscous criterion, pelvic forces, and femur forces and moments for both the driver and rear passenger. Lower values generally indicate better performance and reduced risk of injury. Reviewing these metrics alongside the “Good” ratings reinforces the strong safety performance of the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon.
Conclusion: A Safe and Reliable Wagon Choice
The crash test results and safety analysis confirm that the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon offers a high level of safety for its occupants. Earning a “Good” overall rating, coupled with “Good” ratings across all individual driver and passenger injury measures, demonstrates the vehicle’s robust safety design. For those prioritizing safety in a wagon, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon stands out as a reliable and well-protected choice within its model year range.
