Rear crash protection: Volkswagen
For each seat/head restraint, rear-end crash protection is an assessment of occupant protection against neck injury in rear impacts at low to moderate speeds. Although such injuries usually aren't serious, they occur frequently.
The overall ratings are based on a two-step evaluation. In the first step the geometry (distance behind and below the head of a seated average-size man) is rated good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. Seats with good or acceptable geometry then are subjected to a dynamic test simulating the forces in a stationary vehicle that's rear-ended by another vehicle of the same weight going 20 mph. Seat/head restraints with marginal or poor geometry aren't tested dynamically because they cannot protect taller people in rear-end crashes. These seats are rated poor overall.
In the dynamic tests measurements are recorded on a dummy (BioRID) representing an average-size man. BioRID is designed specifically for rear-end testing at low to moderate speeds. The dynamic ratings are derived from two seat design parameters (acceleration of the dummy's torso and time from impact initiation to head restraint contact with the dummy's head) plus tension and shear forces recorded on the dummy's neck. Overall ratings are based on both geometric measurements and dynamic results.
More about the procedures for rating seat/head restraints
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
| Model | Seat type | Overall rating | Dynamic rating | Seat/head restraint geometry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetle 2012-2013 |
Manual leatherette seat |
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| CC 2009-2013 |
Power seats |
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| Eos 2009-2013 |
Power leather seats |
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| Eos 2007-2008 |
Manual cloth and leather seats |
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| Golf 2010-2013 |
Manual - power seats |
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| GTI 2010-2013 |
Manual - power seats |
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| Jetta 2011-2013 |
Manual cloth seat |
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| Jetta 2009-2010 |
Manual - power seats |
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| Jetta 2007-2008 |
Manual cloth and leather seats |
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| Jetta 2005-2006 (mfg. after Nov 2004) |
All seats (AHR) |
|
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| Jetta SportWagen 2009-2013 |
Manual - power seats |
|
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| New Beetle 2004-2010 |
Seats with adjustable lumbar (AHR) |
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| New Beetle 2004-2010 |
Seats without adjustable lumbar (AHR) |
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| Passat 2012-2013 |
Power leather seats |
|
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| Passat 2009-2010 |
Power leather seats |
|
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| Passat 2007-2008 |
Manual leather seats |
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| Passat 2006 |
All seats (AHR) |
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| Passat 2001-2005 |
All seats |
|
not tested (see note) |
|
| Rabbit 2009 |
Manual - power seats |
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| Rabbit 2007-2008 |
Manual cloth and leather seats |
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| Rabbit 2006 |
All seats (AHR) |
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| Routan 2010-2012 |
Power cloth seats with manual lumbar (AHR) mfg. after March 2010 |
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| Routan 2010 |
Manual cloth seats mfg. before April 2010 |
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| Routan 2009 |
Power cloth seats with manual adjustable lumbar |
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| Tiguan 2009-2013 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Touareg 2011-2013 |
Power leather seats |
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Note: Seat/head restraints with marginal or poor geometry aren't tested dynamically because they cannot protect taller people in rear-end crashes. These seats are rated poor overall. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are also tested dynamically.
Rear crash protection test details (technical information)
Geometric ratings of other Volkswagen models
Ratings of seat/head restraints in newer model cars are based on restraint geometry and a dynamic test. The Institute has been publishing model-by-model ratings of the the geometry of the head restraints in older models since the mid-1990s. Geometry is the necessary first step toward a seat/head restraint that provides effective protection in rear-end crashes at low to moderate speeds.
More than one rating: Ratings are for individual vehicle models. More than one rating may be shown for a model because vehicle seat options can affect head restraint geometry.
No rating shown/no model year listed: The Institute has not evaluated the head restraints in every vehicle model during every model year. If a rating box is blank or if a model year is not listed, no rating is available. If a box is shaded gray, the model was not manufactured that year.
AHR: active head restraint. These are designed to move closer to the backs of occupants' heads in rear-end crashes. These are not rated for geometry at this time.
| Model | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1995 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Beetle | see table above |    |
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| New Beetle convertible | AHR |
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| Cabriolet | |
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| Eurovan | |
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| Golf | 2-dr | |
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| 4-dr | |
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| GTI | |
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| Jetta | |
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| Passat | see table above | see table above | see table above | see table above | |
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| Phaeton | AHR | ||||||||
| Toureg | |
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