- 2009
2008 Volkswagen Jetta
- Used Volkswagen Jetta
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
Reviewers say the Jetta provides more standard safety features than is typical for its class. Additionally, the sedan has done well in government and insurance industry crash tests.
In government crash tests, the 2008 Jetta earned four out of five stars for both driver and front passenger protection in front-impact crashes. The Jetta earned five stars for front seat and backseat occupant protection in side crashes. The 2008 Jetta also earned a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Jetta the highest rating, "Good," in frontal offset and side impact tests.
Accident Avoidance
The Jetta's accident-avoidance features are largely well liked. The sedan comes with standard anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist. Traction Control is also standard.
Reviews give the Jetta's electronic stability-control system positive remarks for its flexibility. CNET reports, "The electronic stability program (ESP) adds another layer of safety with its antislip regulation and electronic differential lock. You can turn off the ESP for driving with snow chains or on loose surfaces." ESP helps drivers maintain control of the car in bad conditions by reducing engine power and applying brakes. The Jetta also comes with rear parking-assist, which experts were mixed on. CNET finds it "somewhat unreliable in warning us about impending collisions when we tested it with trash bins and recycling bins," but notes that "it is supposed to fare better with larger objects such as walls or other vehicles."
Crash Protection
Crash protection is one of the Volkswagen Jetta's strongest features. The Detroit News calls the sedan "one of the safest small cars on the road." Each 2008 model comes standard with dual front air bags, front side air bags, and side curtain air bags.
Automotive.com writes, "The front seat belts also have pre-tensioners with load limiters for a more effective reaction to need, and the front headrests are active, automatically moving up and forward if the occupant's torso is pressed back in the seat, as happens in many kinds of collisions. To help reduce leg injuries, the pedals get away from the driver in the event of a front-end collision." The Jetta also has Active Head Restraint technology built into the front and rear seats. The restraints help prevent whiplash by edging closer to a passenger's head during a near crash.
