Brand hub ยท IIHS data updated 2026-09-03
Volkswagen Safety Ratings (2026)
Every current Volkswagen model in IIHS records, scored with the same formula as our main ranking, plus real-world death rates for used Volkswagen models where the data exists.
See every Volkswagen rankedThe safest current Volkswagen is the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, scoring 96.8/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, #6 of 131 in our overall ranking. Volkswagen has 8 current models in IIHS records, 4 with complete crash-test results; 0 earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ and 2 earned a Top Safety Pick. Older Volkswagen models (2017 to 2020 model years) had a sales-weighted driver death rate of 40.2 per million registered vehicle years, grade C on our brand ranking. That is context from older models and is not part of the score.
Every current Volkswagen ranked by safety
Equal scores share a rank. The score is 55% primary IIHS tests, 25% selected occupant-protection details, 10% pedestrian front crash prevention, and 10% class context. Missing evidence never counts as passing. Class rank compares each model with every vehicle in its IIHS class, not just other Volkswagen models.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Class rank | IIHS award | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | Midsize SUVs | 1 of 30 | TSP | ~$38,300 | 96.8 |
| #2 | 2026 Volkswagen Atlas | Midsize SUVs | 6 of 30 | TSP | ~$39,310 | 94.3 |
| #3 | 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan | Midsize SUVs | 30 of 30 | No award | ~$30,805 | 70.3 |
| #4 | 2026 Volkswagen Taos | Small SUVs | 27 of 28 | No award | ~$26,500 | 61.2 |
Prices are approximate base MSRPs excluding destination. TSP+ is IIHS Top Safety Pick+; TSP is Top Safety Pick. Full weights and rules are on the methodology page.
4 Volkswagen models still waiting on complete IIHS results
These are listed so you can see what has been tested. A missing result is never treated as a pass or a fail, so they are not ranked.
| Vehicle | Class | Primary tests reported | Detail results reported | IIHS award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI | Small cars | 1/4 | 2/4 | No award |
| 2026 Volkswagen Golf R | Small cars | 1/4 | 2/4 | No award |
| 2026 Volkswagen ID.4 | Midsize SUVs | 3/4 | 3/4 | No award |
| 2026 Volkswagen Jetta | Midsize cars | 2/4 | 3/4 | No award |
Real-world death rates for used Volkswagen models
Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years from the IIHS driver death rate study, compared with the average for each model's class. Lower is better. These are older model years and are separate from the crash-test scores above.
| Vehicle | Model years | Driver death rate | Class average | Used price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Atlas 4WD | 2019-20 | 20 | 24.9 | n/a |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2019-20 | 47 | 58.1 | n/a |
Green means at or below the class average; red means above it. Every used model is on the safest used cars page.
Older Volkswagen model years
Earlier model years with IIHS results on this site. They are not part of the current ranking.
Questions people ask about Volkswagen safety
Is Volkswagen a safe brand?
Volkswagen has 8 current models in IIHS records, 4 with complete crash-test records. 0 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 2 earned a Top Safety Pick. The best current Volkswagen is the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport at 96.8/100, #6 of 131 in our overall ranking. Older Volkswagen models (2017 to 2020 model years) had a sales-weighted driver death rate of 40.2 per million registered vehicle years, grade C; that is historical context and not part of the score. Safety varies more between models than between brands, so pick the model first.
What is the safest Volkswagen?
The safest current Volkswagen in our 2026 ranking is the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (midsize suvs), scoring 96.8/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It ranks #1 of 30 in its class.
Which Volkswagen models earned Top Safety Pick+ in 2026?
No current Volkswagen model earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+, but 2 earned a Top Safety Pick: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Volkswagen Atlas.
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