Five stars for the Tiguan from Volkswagen

The high score obtained in the US-NCAP tests confirms the good results obtained in Europe and adds to the IIHS’s top rating.

The Tiguan is not only one of the most popular models in its segment, it is also one of the safest. Once again, the high level of competence of Volkswagen in the field of safety has been confirmed by the excellent results obtained in three independent crash tests.

The effectiveness of the Tiguan’s passive safety systems has once again been recognised by independent experts in the United States and Europe. The Tiguan achieved the maximum five-star rating in the US NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) test. In addition, three different safety aspects were assessed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): frontal collisions, side collisions and rollover stability. In frontal and side collisions, Europe’s most popular SUV earned five stars for occupant protection in the passenger, driver and front passenger zones, as well as four stars for rollover stability. The risk of injury in all cases is very low.

The Tiguan’s results are based on a safety concept that includes analysis of the passenger compartment as well as the energy-absorbing zones around the vehicle. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), founded by North American insurance companies and conducting crash tests since 1995, has stated that the Volkswagen SUV has had an excellent response in the crash tests carried out and has awarded it the “Top Safety Pick”. In addition, in the roof strength test, the Tiguan achieved the best score of all time among SUVs, receiving four stars. In this test, it had to withstand a load of four times its own weight.

Earlier this year the Tiguan had already received the maximum five-star rating in the demanding EuroNCAP tests. Four different areas were assessed: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist systems.

The explanation for the high level of safety offered by the Tiguan lies in the stability of the body structure and the corresponding protection systems. The design is lightweight and the bodywork offers optimal protection for occupants in the event of a collision. Numerous driving assistance systems also contribute, such as ABS, ESP with brake assist, TCS, EDL with trailer stabiliser and EBC.

Inside, the careful interaction of the bodywork with the restraint systems ensures that the impact on passengers is minimised in the event of an accident. Three-point seatbelts are standard equipment. In addition, the front and rear seats are fitted with load limiters to reduce chest impact. In addition, electronically activated belt tensioners on the front seatbelts guarantee maximum performance of the safety zone. The front airbags, combined with the seatbelts, provide an optimal level of protection for the driver and front passenger in the event of a frontal collision. Furthermore, the front seats and their head restraints have been redesigned to provide maximum protection for the cervical area in the event of a rear collision. The safety of the youngest passengers is ensured by ISOFIX anchorages, standard on the rear seats. Curtain and side airbags, integrated into the seatbacks, also deserve mention, as they further enhance the overall safety of the Tiguan.

In addition to activating the restraint systems, belt tensioners and airbags, the activation system for the latter interacts with other control units: in the event of an accident the hazard lights are activated, the doors are unlocked, the interior lights come on and the fuel pump is switched off.

Pedestrian protection has also played a very important role since the start of the Tiguan’s development. All the important parts of the vehicle’s front end were designed with pedestrians in mind, and the internal metal structure of the bonnet was optimised to protect them. For example, beneath the bumper cover there is a piece of soft foam designed to reduce the severity of leg injuries to pedestrians.

Source | Press Volkswagen – Audi Spain