The Volkswagen Jetta, a popular compact sedan, underwent thorough safety evaluations for the 2023 model year. This analysis delves into the crash test ratings, providing a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s safety performance based on evaluations conducted by reputable organizations. This report aims to offer potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts detailed insights into the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta’s safety aspects.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The driver-side small overlap front crash test assesses the vehicle’s structural integrity and occupant protection in a challenging scenario. This test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap front test provide a deeper understanding of the crash dynamics and potential injury risks.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 9 |
| Footrest | 7 |
| Left toepan | 3 |
| Brake pedal | 4 |
| Parking brake | 0 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 |
| Steering column | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 6 |
| Upper dash | 7 |
| Lower instrument panel | 7 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 242 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.6 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 16 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.7 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.56 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.37 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 2.5 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.9 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 57 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 73 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap front crash test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates the safety performance for the front passenger.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Technical measurements from the passenger-side small overlap front test offer a detailed look at potential risks for both driver and passenger in this type of collision.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 11 |
| Footrest | 9 |
| Right toepan | 5 |
| Center toepan | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 |
| Center dash | 3 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 6 |
| Upper dash | 8 |
| Right lower dash | 10 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 147 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.19 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.5 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.41 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.46 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 1.6 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.7 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 55 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 30 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 145 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 31 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.1 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.37 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.27 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 34 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 43 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The original moderate overlap front crash test represents a significant portion of real-world frontal collisions. This test evaluates the vehicle’s performance when the front end impacts a barrier with a moderate overlap. The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta received a “Good” rating in this test, indicating robust occupant protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Leg/foot, left | Good |
| Leg/foot, right | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Action shot during the moderate overlap frontal crash test, illustrating the impact dynamics for the Volkswagen Jetta 2023.
Post-crash dummy position in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023, showing good maintenance of driver survival space in the moderate overlap frontal test.
Greasepaint on the side curtain airbag of the Volkswagen Jetta 2023, indicating effective head protection during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.
Minimal occupant compartment intrusion in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 after the moderate overlap frontal crash test, highlighting strong structural performance.
Technical measurements from the original moderate overlap front test further detail the structural performance and injury metrics.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) in cm
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest | 4-7 |
| Left | 6-10 |
| Center | 5-6 |
| Right | 1-4 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left | 0 – (-2) |
| Right | 0 – (-1) |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward | -3 – (-1) |
| Rearward | -6 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 252-215 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3-1.4 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.24-0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25-30 |
| Legs Femur force – Left (kN) | 0.2-1.6 |
| Legs Femur force – Right (kN) | 0.1-1.6 |
| Knee displacement – Left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – Right (mm) | 1-0 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.26-0.30 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.79-0.52 |
| Tibia axial force – Left (kN) | 2.1 |
| Tibia axial force – Right (kN) | 2.4-2.8 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 61-71 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 86-130 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Updated Evaluation
An updated moderate overlap front crash test introduced a rear passenger dummy to better assess rear occupant protection. While the structural performance for the driver remained “Good”, the overall rating for the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta in this updated test was “Poor” due to rear passenger injury measures.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Poor |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Thigh/hip | Good |
| Leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Poor |
| Chest | Poor |
| Thigh | Good |
| Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Acceptable |
Vehicle damage to the occupant compartment of the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 following the updated moderate overlap frontal crash test.
Rear passenger dummy head approaching the front seatback in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 updated moderate overlap frontal crash test, indicating potential head injury risk.
Injury values for the rear passenger dummy in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023, suggesting a risk of head, neck, and chest injuries in the updated moderate overlap frontal test.
Lap belt position on the rear passenger dummy in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 during the updated moderate overlap frontal crash test, showing ideal pelvic restraint.
Technical measurements from the updated moderate overlap front test highlight the specific concerns for rear passenger safety.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest | 3 |
| Left | 4 |
| Center | 5 |
| Right | 1 |
| Brake pedal | 2 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward | -1 |
| Rearward | -5 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 239 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 28 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.2 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.24 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.41 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 1.4 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.4 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 52 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 42 |
Rear Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion | No contact |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 3.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion | No contact |
| Chest Chest index | 46 |
| Shoulder belt tension (kN) | 6.0 |
| Thigh Left femur compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Thigh Right femur compression (kN) | 0.3 |
Side Crash Test: Original Evaluation
In the original side crash test, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta achieved a “Good” overall rating. This test simulates a side impact collision, assessing the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in such events.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
Technical measurements from the original side crash test provide specific data points related to occupant safety.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -21.0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 192 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 7.76 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.88 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 2.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.1 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.4 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 21 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 195 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 241 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.24 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.41 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.1 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.2 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 99 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 56 |
Side Crash Test: Updated Evaluation
An updated side crash test, with a more severe impact, resulted in an “Acceptable” overall rating for the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. While structural performance remained “Good”, driver and rear passenger torso and pelvis injury measures led to a lower overall score compared to the original side test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Acceptable |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Acceptable |
| Pelvis | Marginal |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Marginal |
| Pelvis | Acceptable |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
Side damage to the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 after the updated, more stringent side crash test.
Side airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023, as seen after doors are removed following the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint marking driver head protection by side airbags in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 during the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint showing rear passenger head protection by side airbags in the Volkswagen Jetta 2023 during the updated side crash test.
Technical measurements from the updated side crash test provide insights into the increased injury metrics observed.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -18.0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 226 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 47 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 5.51 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 1.00 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 5.3 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 274 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 50 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 43 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.35 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.82 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.7 |
Roof Strength Evaluation
The roof strength test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to withstand rollover crashes. The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta earned a “Good” rating, demonstrating robust roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Curb weight (lbs) | 2,942 |
| Peak force (lbs) | 17,181 |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.84 |
Head Restraints and Seats Evaluation
Evaluations for head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta’s seats received a “Good” overall rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
Technical measurements for head restraints and seats provide further detail on their performance.
| Seat type | Manual cloth seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry Backset (mm) | 40 |
| Geometry Distance below top of head (mm) | 14 |
| Seat design parameters Pass/fail | Pass |
| Seat design parameters Max T1 acceleration (g) | 12.4 |
| Seat design parameters Head contact time (ms) | 68 |
| Seat design parameters Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces Max neck shear force (N) | 46 |
| Neck forces Max neck tension (N) | 411 |
Headlight Performance
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offers different headlight options with varying ratings. The SEL trim with LED projector low beams and LED reflector high beams received a “Marginal” overall rating. Lower trims with LED reflector headlights for both low and high beams received a “Poor” rating.
SEL Trim Headlights
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Marginal |
S, SE, Sport Trim Headlights
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Poor |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The front crash prevention system of the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, “Front Assist,” earned a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle tests. This system includes autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention | Superior |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day and Night)
The pedestrian front crash prevention system, a standard feature on the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, received a “Basic” rating for both day and night performance.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day)
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian front crash prevention (day) | Basic |
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Night)
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian front crash prevention (night) | Basic |
While the system performed adequately in some scenarios, it failed to slow down in parallel adult pedestrian tests and showed limitations in nighttime pedestrian detection, particularly with low beams.
Seat Belt Reminders
Seat belt reminders are essential safety features. However, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta’s seat belt reminder system received a “Poor” rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Seat belt reminders | Poor |
The system’s audible and visual alerts for unbelted front occupants were found to be insufficient, with negligible duration and low volume. Second-row startup status alerts are not available.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is important for families. The LATCH system in the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta received an “Acceptable” rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Child seat anchors (LATCH) | Acceptable |
The vehicle has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor only. While tether anchors are easy to locate, lower anchors in some positions were noted as difficult to maneuver around.
Conclusion: 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Safety Performance
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta demonstrates a mixed safety performance profile. It excels in many crash tests, particularly the original moderate overlap and roof strength evaluations, earning “Good” ratings. However, the updated moderate overlap front test revealed weaknesses in rear passenger protection, resulting in a “Poor” overall rating for that specific evaluation. The updated side crash test also led to a reduced “Acceptable” rating compared to the original test.
Furthermore, the headlight performance, particularly on lower trims, and the seat belt reminder system are areas needing improvement, both receiving “Poor” ratings. The front crash prevention systems show promise with a “Superior” vehicle-to-vehicle rating, but pedestrian detection, especially at night, is only rated “Basic.”
Potential buyers should consider these detailed safety ratings, paying close attention to the updated moderate overlap front test results if rear passenger safety is a primary concern. While the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offers solid protection in many crash scenarios, specific weaknesses, especially in rear passenger safety and headlight performance, should be noted.
