When considering a family vehicle, safety is paramount. For those looking into the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Station Wagon, understanding its safety performance is a key part of the decision-making process. While the original safety assessments were conducted on a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, the findings are relevant to the 2012 Jetta Station Wagon, also known as the Jetta SportWagen. This article delves into the safety ratings and what they mean for you and your passengers.
The safety ratings discussed here are applicable to Volkswagen Jetta models manufactured between 2009 and 2014. It’s important to note that the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta sedan was the vehicle physically tested. This model, equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags, serves as the benchmark for these ratings. The design introduced in December 2004 is the one under evaluation, distinct from the earlier, smaller car design produced until October 2004. You can find the manufacturing date of your vehicle on the certification label, usually located on or near the driver’s side door.
These frontal offset crash test ratings are not limited to the sedan version. They extend to the hatchback models, which were known as the Volkswagen Rabbit (2006-09), and later as the Volkswagen Golf and its sporty variant, the GTI (2010-14). Despite being classified as small cars due to their dimensions, these models share the safety characteristics relevant to these ratings. Crucially for our focus, these ratings also apply to the station wagon version, the Jetta SportWagen, starting from the 2009 models onwards, which includes the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Station Wagon.
It’s equally important to understand the limitations of these ratings. They do not apply to the redesigned Volkswagen Jetta sedan from the 2011 model year onwards. Similarly, Golf and GTI models from 2015 onwards are not covered by these assessments. However, the Jetta SportWagen, including the 2012 model, retains the safety design and performance of the 2009-10 models and thus, these ratings remain valid.
The crash test evaluation provides a comprehensive overview of vehicle safety. The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta sedan achieved an overall evaluation of “Good” (G), the highest rating possible. This positive assessment extends to key areas of vehicle safety.
| 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 structural integrity of the vehicle is critical in a crash, and the Jetta sedan earned a “Good” rating for its structure and safety cage. This indicates that the vehicle’s frame effectively maintained its integrity during the crash test, providing a solid foundation for occupant protection.
In terms of driver injury measures, all categories – head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg – received a “Good” rating. This signifies a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in these body regions during a frontal offset crash. Furthermore, driver head protection was also rated as “Good”, highlighting the effectiveness of the safety systems in minimizing head injuries.
The safety of rear passengers is equally important, especially in a family vehicle like the Jetta Station Wagon. The rear passenger injury measures mirror the driver’s ratings, with “Good” scores across the board for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg. Similarly, rear passenger head protection also achieved a “Good” rating, assuring protection for all occupants.
This image shows the immediate aftermath of the crash test, illustrating the impact zone and the vehicle’s structural response.
Post-crash, with doors removed, the image highlights the deployment of side airbags and the extent of damage to the occupant compartment, providing visual insights into the protective measures.
This action shot captures the critical moment during the side impact test, demonstrating how the side curtain airbag effectively shields the driver’s head from hard structures.
Greasepaint on the rear passenger dummy’s head confirms the side airbag’s role in providing head protection for rear occupants during the crash scenario.
The technical measurements from the crash test offer a deeper dive into the data. For instance, measures of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side indicate the degree to which the vehicle structure intruded into the space meant for the occupants. A negative number, like the -15.5 cm for the B-pillar to the longitudinal centerline of the driver’s seat, signifies that the crush stopped short of the seat centerline, a positive indicator of structural performance.
Driver injury measures provide specific data points on potential injury levels. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) score of 302 is within acceptable limits, indicating a low risk of severe head injury. Neck tension and compression forces, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection, and pelvis forces are all measured and assessed to ensure they are within safe thresholds.
Similarly, passenger injury measures provide detailed readings for the rear passenger dummy. The Head HIC-15 score of 134 for the rear passenger is even lower than the driver’s, suggesting excellent head protection. Measurements for neck, shoulder, torso, and pelvis injuries for the rear passenger are also recorded and evaluated to ensure comprehensive safety.
In conclusion, the safety ratings for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, which extend to the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Station Wagon (SportWagen), indicate a vehicle designed with occupant safety in mind. The “Good” ratings across all key safety metrics, supported by visual evidence and technical measurements from crash tests, provide reassurance for those considering this vehicle. When prioritizing safety for yourself and your family, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Station Wagon presents itself as a strong contender in its vehicle class.
