Safety
Road safety is one of the most important concerns for both Volkswagen Group and our customers. Since the beginning of the 1990s, the risk of being injured in a road accident has fallen substantially. Nevertheless, statistics indicate there were more than 37,000 deaths and 2.3 million injuries in road accidents in the U.S. in 2008. Nowadays, the market calls for vehicles with more and more comprehensive safety features. In the development of vehicle safety systems, the Volkswagen Group has traditionally made accident prevention, occupant protection and pedestrian safety its top priorities. We combine active and passive safety measures in a holistic approach to safety.
Since 2008, every Volkswagen and Audi vehicle is equipped with advanced active and passive safety features that can make driving in inclement weather easier and safer. Depending upon the model, technology such as Engine Braking Assist (EBA), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), available Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) (includes EBA, EDL and HBA), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) are among the active safety features that will help keep Volkswagen and Audi drivers more secure when driving conditions are less than ideal. In addition, as of 2008, the Volkswagen Touareg includes both Hill Descent Assist (HAD) and Hill Climb Assist (HCA), which engages only in low range gear. Moreover, some Audi models provide, as an optional driver assistance system, the Audi Side Assist that provides a warning if there is another vehicle in the blind spot. Audi will also be introducing the Lane Assist that provides a warning if the vehicle is drifting out of the lane. Passive safety components include passenger safety cells, crumple zones with programmed deformation characteristics, collapsible steering columns, energy absorbing bumpers, seats and head restraints, side impact protection, safety belts with pretensioners, load limiters and various kinds of supplemental airbag restraint systems.
Read the Volkswagen Group of America Safety Brochure
Sit Safe®
Sit Safe® is the Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. dealer-based Child Passenger Safety Program. Using program curricula developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada, dealership staff and community individuals throughout North America became certified child passenger safety specialists.
Many Volkswagen and Audi dealers provide LATCH education and correct installation demonstrations in their showroom; others provide education and assistance during new car delivery presentations or in the parts, warranty and service departments. Some dealers host regular inspection events in their service bays or by appointment.
Please check with your local Volkswagen or Audi dealership.
Recognition
Volkswagen Group vehicles have an excellent reputation for safety and reliability. The latest models from Volkswagen and Audi have recently received a number of awards for their safety features in the United States. For those models tested by NHTSA, the Audi A4/S4, Q5, Q7, and the Volkswagen Routan, Tiguan and Touareg all received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s prestigious five star award for both frontal and side impact tests. Many of our latest models also have earned top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Top Safety Pick Awards were received as follows:
- 2007 — Audi: A4, A6
- 2008 — Audi: A3, A4, A6, Q7; Volkswagen: 2009 MY Eos, Jetta, Passat, Rabbit 4-door, Tiguan
- 2009 — Audi: A3, A4, A6, Q5, Q7; Volkswagen: CC, Eos, Jetta, Passat, Rabbit 4-door, Tiguan
For 2010, the IIHS changed its criteria for achieving “Top Safety Pick Awards,” Originally, only 28 models total were presented with the award, five of which were Volkswagen Group of America models. An achievement Volkswagen Group of America is very proud of. The five models are:
- 2010 — Audi: A3; Volkswagen: Golf 4-dr., Jetta, Passat, Tiguan
