Rebel Editor April 4, 2019

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2019 Volkswagen Jetta

NHTSA image

Volkswagen is hitting all the high notes with its redesigned-for-2019 Jetta. The new sedan costs less than the outgoing model and boasts better fuel efficiency, and today the automaker announced some safety news that further heightens its appeal. The sedan earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s despite the Jetta failing to snag an award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, held back by its headlights.

 

The 2019 Jetta scored well in the agency’s front, side and rollover crash tests to earn a cumulative score of five stars, the highest rating. The Jetta’s closest competitor, the 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan, hasn’t yet been tested by NHTSA. Another main rival, the 2019 Honda Civic, also received five stars.

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In IIHS testing, however, the Jetta’s headlight evaluation prevented it from earning Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus status. Although the sedan received scores of good in all of IIHS’ crash tests and earned a top score of superior in front-crash prevention, the Jetta’s marginal-rated headlights held it back from the top awards. IIHS has not yet rated the 2020 Corolla sedan, and the 2019 Civic sedan’s headlights received a poor rating.

 

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News Editor Jennifer Geiger is a reviewer, car-seat technician and mom of three. She wears a lot of hats, many of them while driving a minivan. Email Jennifer

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