VW Models Earn IIHS Top Safety Scores

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named four 2016 Volkswagen models – the Golf, Golf SportWagen, Golf GTI and Jetta – as 2015 Top Safety Pick+ winners when equipped with the optional forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking system.

The IIHS issues the award to vehicles that score “good” ratings in the group’s moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint test categories. Additionally, a qualifying vehicle must score no less than an “acceptable” rating in the small overlap front crash test and draw an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention.

“The 2016 Golf, Golf SportWagen, Golf GTI, and Jetta models offer a combination of both passive and active systems that are engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations,” Volkswagen of America said.

These four Volkswagen models are equipped with the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard and are available with the following advanced driver assistance features:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking (front assist)
• Active lane departure warning  (lane assist)
• Blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert.

Volkswagen’s forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking system (front assist) uses one or more radar sensors combined with a camera to help monitor the distance of traffic ahead of the vehicle.

Within physical system limits, forward collision warning helps alert the driver of front-end collision threats, both acoustically and visually. There is a clear warning symbol in the instrument cluster above 19 mph.

If necessary, braking is initiated to slow the vehicle in the system speed range. If the driver fails to apply the brakes, the system autonomously applies them. If the pedal is engaged but the driver brakes too lightly, the pressure is increased by the system (targeted braking).

“Our available driver assistance systems and safety features show Volkswagen’s commitment to introduce systems that were once only seen on high-end luxury and premium vehicles, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning,” said Mark Barnes, vice president of sales for Volkswagen of America.

The 2016 Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen, and Jetta TSI models will be arriving in dealerships this month.

The Driver Assistance Package is available on select Golf, Golf GTI, and Golf SportWagen models. The package includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking (front assist)
• Lane departure warning (lane assist)
• Blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert
• Park distance control (park pilot)
• Parking steering assistant (park assist).

The newly updated Driver Assistance Package for select Jetta models includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking.