CGI VW vehicle driving down the road.

Front Assist⁠

Part of the IQ.DRIVE safety-enhancing and intelligent technologies

The Volkswagen front assist system with automatic emergency braking is designed to warn you of a potential collision and assist by braking to avoid or lessen the impact of a crash. It uses a radar sensor (and in select models a camera) to monitor the traffic in front of your vehicle and helps identify possible hazards, such as a driver in front of you that suddenly brakes.

A monitor on the front of the vehicle

Helps to prevent potential collisions

If the front assist system determines that the distance is too close and there is potential for a crash, it alerts you with a warning in the instrument cluster coupled with a warning chime and prepares the brakes for emergency braking. If you don’t respond to the warning, the front assist system briefly applies the brake, jolting the car to warn you of an imminent collision. If you don’t press the brake hard enough, front assist can automatically apply the brakes with the additional necessary force to slow the vehicle down and help avoid a collision. If you don't brake at all, front assist steps in and activates automatic emergency braking to fully stop the vehicle and avoid a crash, or at least substantially lessen the effects of a collision within the limits of the system.

CGI VW vehicle driving on highway.
CGI VW vehicle driving on highway.
Awareness for stop-and-go traffic

Mitigate rear-end collisions

Front assist works when driving in heavy urban or suburban traffic and stop-and-go traffic. It monitors the vehicle in front of you, and if automatic emergency braking is active, it can detect vehicles and pedestrians, depending on the model, cyclist detection. The system can automatically brake to help mitigate rear-end collisions.

Speed and Distance Monitoring

Monitors the vehicle in front of you

The Volkswagen front assist system uses a combination of radar sensors and/or a camera to monitor the speed and distance of vehicles on the road in front you. When activated, the system will alert the driver of potential front collisions.

CGI view from driver's seat of VW vehicle driving on highway.
The ins and outs of front assist

  • How it works

    Monitors the road ahead to provide audio and visual alerts when you’re driving at higher speeds and at risk of a potential collision. If necessary, it can automatically brake on its own to help mitigate the severity of the collision or, in some cases, avoid a collision.

  • Instructions

    • Front Assist is active each time you start your car and is functional at speeds above roughly 3 mph.
    • You can switch the system on / off in your digital cockpit or your infotainment screen. The system will be automatically activated upon each new ignition cycle.

  • Limitations

    • Only provides assistance at certain speeds. Speeds vary by model; see your Owner’s Manual for when to expect warnings vs. automatic braking vs. braking support. *
    • While all model year 2022 and newer vehicles can detect pedestrians, only some can detect cyclists. See your Owner’s Manual for your vehicle’s limitations.
    • Only provides assistance for vehicles ahead that are stationary or moving in the same direction.
    • No assistance for collisions associated with oncoming traffic.
    • May not provide assistance when another vehicle cuts in front of your vehicle.
    • Road conditions and tire traction can impede braking.
    • When following a vehicle at a close but constant distance, braking will not activate. The system must detect an imminent crash for braking to occur.
    • The following situations can affect Front Assist function and/or potentially lead to unwanted braking: 
    1. Damage to or misalignment of sensors or sensor mounting.
    2. Sensor blockage, which can be caused by ice/snow buildup, dirt, mud or leaves. 
    3. Towing heavy trailers or carrying heavy cargo in the rear of the vehicle, which can elevate the front of the vehicle and change sensor angles.
    • The following situations can disable the system:
    1. Damage to, misalignment of or blockage of the sensors.
    2. Towing heavy trailers or carrying heavy cargo in the rear of the vehicle, which can elevate the front of the vehicle and change sensor angles.

    * Braking support increases brake pressure when the driver is already actively braking.

Find answers about driver assistance

The VW Help Center

Discover answers to frequently asked questions about driver assistance features and general information about Volkswagen. Explore a wealth of information to better understand our products and services.

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