The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has recognized the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with a Top Safety Pick+, when it is outfitted with specific headlights and an optional front crash prevention system.

The midsize SUV aced six crashworthiness tests. The Tiguan captured good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests.

But to garner the highest safety status, IIHS engineers also require vehicles to have an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating.

When it comes to crash prevention, the Tiguan did not disappoint. The vehicle's optional front crash prevention system earned a superior rating. In evaluations, it avoided a collision in the 12 mph track test and reduced its impact speed by an average of 24 mph in the 25 mph test. 

Finally, Tiguan models built after June and equipped with curve-adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assist earn a good headlight rating — giving the SUV the final requirement for plus safety status.

IIHS notes that the Tiguan is the second model from Volkswagen to qualify for a 2019 safety award. The 2019 GTI qualifies for its second-tier award, Top Safety Pick.