WASHINGTON (AP) — The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta received good ratings in front and side crash tests, the insurance industry reported Sunday in an evaluation of midsize vehicles.
Researchers rated 15 midsize vehicles with a base price of less than $21,000. The Jetta, the only newly tested vehicle, comes standard with air bags intended to protect the occupants head, chest and abdomen.
The test results on the Jetta "show you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a vehicle that offers good protection in front and side crashes," said Brian O'Neill, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
"We want more manufacturers to do what Volkswagen has done and make side air bags with head protection standard in all of their vehicles," O'Neill said.