The Volkswagen Arteon, a sleek and stylish sedan, has undergone rigorous testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to evaluate its crashworthiness. This comprehensive safety review analyzes the Arteon’s performance in various crash scenarios, providing valuable insights for prospective buyers concerned about safety. This article delves into the detailed crash test ratings of the Volkswagen Arteon, focusing on key safety aspects and what they mean for driver and passenger protection.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, such as a tree or pole. In the driver-side small overlap test, the 2019-2023 Volkswagen Arteon received a Good rating overall.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Acceptable |
Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the Volkswagen Arteon, demonstrating vehicle deformation.
While the Arteon demonstrated good structural integrity and provided good protection for most driver injury measures, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were rated as Acceptable. The test revealed that the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but began to slide off to the left. This occurred because the seat belt allowed excessive forward movement of the head and torso. However, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, offering sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from impacts with side structures or external objects.
Post-crash dummy position in the Volkswagen Arteon driver-side small overlap test, showing maintained survival space.
Despite the head sliding issue, the dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel indicated that the driver’s survival space was well-maintained. This suggests a robust structure that effectively protected the occupant compartment.
Close-up view of the Volkswagen Arteon’s airbag deployment during the driver-side small overlap test, highlighting head movement.
Volkswagen Arteon driver-side small overlap crash test outcome, illustrating the well-maintained driver space and low leg/foot injury risk.
Technical measurements from the test further support the “Good” ratings for injury measures, with low intrusion into the occupant compartment and minimal injury readings on the dummy.
| Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Footrest | 2 |
| Left Toepan | 2 |
| Brake Pedal | 2 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 |
| Steering Column | 3 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 4 |
| Upper Dash | 7 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 8 |
| Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 193 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.5 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 15 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.31 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 0.7 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.2 |
| Left Knee Displacement (mm) | 2 |
| Right Knee Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Left Maximum Tibia Index | 0.30 |
| Right Maximum Tibia Index | 0.52 |
Learn more about the Small Overlap Front Test
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to protect the front passenger in a similar offset frontal crash. The Volkswagen Arteon also achieved a Good rating in the passenger-side small overlap test.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Chest | Good |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Passenger Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Acceptable |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics (Driver) | Good |
Similar to the driver-side test, the passenger restraints and dummy kinematics received an Acceptable rating. The dummy’s face remained in contact with the frontal airbag, but its head moved too far to the right, towards the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags. Despite this, the side curtain airbag deployed effectively, providing good head protection. Notably, driver injury measures were all rated as Good in this passenger-side test, indicating consistent protection across the front seating positions.
Technical measurements for the passenger-side test are also provided, demonstrating low occupant compartment intrusion and low injury risk.
| Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Footrest | 3 |
| Right Toepan | 2 |
| Center Toepan | 2 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 0 |
| Center Dash | 3 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 5 |
| Upper Dash | 7 |
| Right Lower Dash | 5 |
| Technical Measurements – Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 180 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.19 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Left Knee Displacement (mm) | 0 |
| Right Knee Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Left Maximum Tibia Index | 0.33 |
| Right Maximum Tibia Index | 0.44 |
| Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test) | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 162 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 28 |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 0.3 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.3 |
| Left Knee Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Right Knee Displacement (mm) | 0 |
| Left Maximum Tibia Index | 0.40 |
| Right Maximum Tibia Index | 0.23 |
Learn more about the Small Overlap Front Test
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. The Volkswagen Arteon earned a Good rating in this test as well.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Leg/Foot, Left | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Leg/Foot, Right | Good |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good |
The Arteon demonstrated excellent performance in the moderate overlap front test, with “Good” ratings across all evaluation criteria. This indicates robust protection in a more common type of frontal collision.
Technical measurements show minimal intrusion into the footwell and good control of steering column and instrument panel movement.
| Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest Intrusion | 7 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | 13 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | 9 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | 1 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 5 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement – Left | -2 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement – Right | -2 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | -2 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -4 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
| Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 287 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.0 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 30 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.31 |
| Chest Maximum Compression (mm) | 35 |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 1.1 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 1.6 |
| Left Knee Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Right Knee Displacement (mm) | 1 |
| Left Maximum Tibia Index | 0.42 |
| Right Maximum Tibia Index | 0.33 |
Learn more about the Original Moderate Overlap Front Test
Side Crash Test: Original Test
The side crash test assesses occupant protection in a side impact scenario. The Volkswagen Arteon achieved an Overall Good rating in the side crash test.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures – Torso | Acceptable |
| Driver Injury Measures – Pelvis/Leg | Acceptable |
| Driver Head Protection | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Torso | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good |
While the Arteon provided good protection for the head and neck in both front and rear seating positions, the torso and pelvis/leg protection for the driver were rated as Acceptable. This suggests that while generally safe in side impacts, there is room for improvement in these specific areas of driver protection. Rear passenger protection in side impacts was rated as Good across all measures.
Technical measurements provide further detail on occupant compartment intrusion and injury measures.
| Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-Pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver’s Seat | -19.0 |
| Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 262 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 43 |
| Torso Average Deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 5.46 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 1.07 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force (kN) | 4.1 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 5.8 |
| Technical Measurements – Rear Passenger Injury Measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 142 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Torso Average Deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 2.20 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.24 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 1.0 |
Learn more about the Original Side Crash Test
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The Volkswagen Arteon achieved a Good rating in roof strength.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Curb Weight | 3,659 lbs |
| Peak Force | 17,373 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 4.75 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.75, the Arteon’s roof demonstrated good resistance to crushing in a rollover scenario.
Learn more about the Roof Strength Test
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats focus on their ability to protect against neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The Volkswagen Arteon’s head restraints and seats earned a Good rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
| Dynamic Rating | Good |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | Good |
The Arteon’s power leatherette seats and head restraints demonstrated good geometry and dynamic performance, contributing to a reduced risk of whiplash in rear impacts.
| Technical Measurements | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 22 |
| Distance Below Top of Head (mm) | -2 |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 11.5 |
| Head Contact Time (ms) | 61 |
| Force Rating | 1 |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 0 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 217 |
Learn more about the Head Restraint & Seat Test
Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime safety. The IIHS evaluates headlight effectiveness in providing visibility without excessive glare. The Volkswagen Arteon’s headlight ratings vary depending on the trim level.
SEL Premium R-Line Trim Headlights
The SEL Premium R-Line trim of the Volkswagen Arteon is equipped with LED projector headlights that are curve-adaptive and feature high-beam assist. These headlights received an Overall Good rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Good |
| Low-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | Yes |
| High-Beam Assist? | Yes |
Headlight performance chart for Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line trim, showing good low and high beam illumination.
SEL and SEL R-Line Trim Headlights
The SEL and SEL R-Line trims also feature LED projector headlights that are curve-adaptive but do not have high-beam assist. These headlights also received an Overall Good rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Good |
| Low-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | Yes |
| High-Beam Assist? | No |
Headlight performance chart for Volkswagen Arteon SEL and SEL R-Line trims, indicating good low and high beam illumination.
SE Trim Headlights
The base SE trim of the Volkswagen Arteon comes with LED projector headlights that are not curve-adaptive and do not have high-beam assist. These headlights received a Poor overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Poor |
| Low-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-Beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-Beam Assist? | No |
Headlight performance chart for Volkswagen Arteon SE trim, demonstrating inadequate illumination with low and high beams.
It’s important to note the significant difference in headlight performance across trim levels. For optimal nighttime visibility, choosing a trim level with the “Good” rated headlights is recommended.
Learn more about Headlight Evaluations
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The front crash prevention system evaluates the vehicle’s ability to avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles. The Volkswagen Arteon’s standard Front Assist system earned a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention for 2019-2020 models.
| System Details | |
|---|---|
| System Name | Standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring) |
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests, meeting forward collision warning requirements.
Learn more about the Original Front Crash Prevention Test
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
The pedestrian front crash prevention test assesses the vehicle’s ability to detect and avoid pedestrians in daytime conditions. The Volkswagen Arteon’s Front Assist system received an Advanced rating for pedestrian front crash prevention for 2019-2020 models.
| System Details | |
|---|---|
| System Name | Standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring) |
| Overall Evaluation | Advanced |
The system avoided collisions with a crossing child and adult at 12 mph. In 25 mph tests with crossing pedestrians, impact speed was significantly reduced. However, the system failed to slow down for a parallel adult pedestrian in 25 mph and 37 mph tests.
Learn more about the Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention Test
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The ease of use of child seat anchors (LATCH) is also evaluated by IIHS. The Volkswagen Arteon received an Acceptable rating for LATCH system ease of use.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Acceptable |
While the Arteon has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, the system was rated as “Acceptable” due to some challenges with lower anchor accessibility and confusion with other hardware.
Learn more about Child Seat Anchor Evaluations
Conclusion
Overall, the Volkswagen Arteon demonstrates strong safety performance in IIHS crash tests, achieving mostly “Good” ratings across various evaluations. Areas for potential improvement include driver restraints in small overlap crashes and driver torso/pelvis protection in side impacts. Headlight performance is trim-dependent, with higher trims offering significantly better illumination. The Arteon’s front crash prevention systems show good capabilities in vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios and moderate effectiveness in pedestrian detection. Prospective buyers considering the Volkswagen Arteon can be assured of a generally safe vehicle, especially when equipped with the higher-rated headlight options. Always consult the full IIHS reports for detailed information and make informed decisions based on your specific safety priorities.
