Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and front passenger. Volkswagen showed that a similar level of protection would be provided for occupants of different sizes and those sat in different positions. Rear seatbelt pretensioners and load-limiters are available as an option on the Jetta but were not fitted to the test car. The Jetta scored maximum points for its performance in the side barrier test. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as marginal, based on dummy readings of rib deflection. The seat and head restraint provided good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.

Child occupant
Based on dummy readings in the dynamic tests, the Jetta scored maximum points for its protection of both the 18 month and the 3 year infant. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver about the status of the airbag was not sufficiently clear. A permanently attached label gives a clear warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing child seat without first disabling the airbag.

Pedestrian
The bumper scored maximum points, providing good protection for pedestrians' legs at all points tested. In those areas likely to be struck by the head of a child, the bonnet provided predominantly good levels of protection. However, the protection offered to the head of an adult was predominantly poor.

Safety assist
Electronic stability control is currently optional in Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. It is standard equipment throughout the remainder of Europe and its sales as standard are expected to exceed Euro NCAP's 2011 requirement of 95 percent. A seatbelt reminder is standard equipment for the driver and front passenger seats. There is no speed limitation device available for the Jetta.