Among the well-crafted Volkswagen offerings in the United States market, nine vehicles were named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks for 2012. The models selected are the GTI and four-door Golf Hatchbacks, the Jetta Sedan and Sportwagen, the midsize Passat Sedan, stylish CC Sedan and the versatile Tiguan, Touareg and Routan. That's more models on the IIHS “Top Safety Pick” list than any other automaker.

 

Those doors that close with the reassuring structural integrity reminiscent of a bank vault are the gateway to an interior that surrounds occupants with advanced front, side and side-curtain airbags. The Volkswagen Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) is an ever-present sentry looking out for you as well. In case of an accident, the ICRS will activate the car’s emergency flashers and unlock the doors while also disconnecting electric power to the fuel pump.

 

Electronic Stability Control helps ensure that you don’t end up needing to use the ICRS features in the first place. All the airbags and the robust B-pillar design are there “just in case,” but Volkswagen has equipped its cars with the ability to redirect your trajectory and keep you from ever experiencing the active and passive safety features built into Volkswagen cars.

 

Top Safety Pick rankings are awarded to vehicles that carry Electronic Stability Control and head-protecting airbags, and display good performance in the Institute's regimen of front, side and rear crash tests. There's also a demanding roof-strength test that vehicles must pass.

 

After the Routan made the list back in November, Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., stated, “We’re delighted that the Routan has been given this prestigious award—and even more delighted that Volkswagen now has industry leadership with nine IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKS. It’s a great reward for the emphasis we place on safety in the development of our German-engineered vehicles.”

 

When so much of your product lineup aces the safety gauntlet, it means something. For Volkswagen, it means that there's a serious commitment to keeping its buyers and their passengers safe. For those lucky or smart enough to purchase a Volkswagen vehicle, it means peace of mind and a car that has your back.