Volkswagen has six models that have a rating of at least Good in the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Ratings.

• Jetta earns TSP+ rating, Golf 4-door and Passat models earn TSP

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that several of its 2017 models have earned 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):

• The 2017 Jetta, when equipped with optional Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) and Xenon headlights, has earned TOP SAFETY PICK+
• The 2017 Volkswagen Golf 4-door, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI 4-door and Golf SportWagen, when equipped with optional Front Assist, have earned TOP SAFETY PICK 
• The 2017 Passat, featuring standard Front Assist, has earned TOP SAFETY PICK

The 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK award is issued to vehicles that have earned good ratings in IIHS tests evaluated in five categories: frontal impact moderate overlap; frontal impact small overlap; side impact; roof strength; and head restraints. 

It must also offer an autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) that earns at least an advanced rating for front crash prevention.

The 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating is issued to vehicles that have met all of the TOP SAFETY PICK criteria and must offer headlights that earn at least an acceptable rating for visibility and lack of excessive glare.

“At Volkswagen, we strongly believe that the latest advanced driver assist technologies can be delivered without being in the premium segment,” said Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy. ”The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings awarded to a variety of Volkswagen models compliments our ongoing commitment to offering these features .”

Volkswagen’s Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking system (Front Assist) driver assistance system 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 critical front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a clear warning symbol in the instrument cluster above 19 mph, and, 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).  Front Assist is optional on 2017 Jetta and Golf models and standard on the 2017 Passat.

Other available driver assistance features on the 2017 Jetta, Golf family and Passat include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, an active Lane Departure Warning system (Lane Assist), front and rear Park Distance Control (ParkPilot), and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), High Beam Control (Light Assist), and Bi-Xenon headlights with the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). Availability depends on model and trim.

All Volkswagen models offer a combination of both passive and active safety systems that are engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations. The 2017 Jetta, Golf models and Passat are equipped with the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard.

IIHS launched its front crash prevention rating program in 2013 to help consumers sort through the maze of available technologies and zero in on the most effective systems.