Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Dummy readings indicated good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger dummies and VW were able to show that a similar level of protection would be offered to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions. The Golf Cabriolet scored maximum points for the protection it provided in the side barrier test. The front seat and head restraint provided good protection against whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision.

Child occupant
Based on dummy readings in the frontal and side impact tests, maximum points were scored for protection of both the 3 year old and 18 month old children. Although the passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position, insufficient information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag preventing any reward for the system. Permanently attached labels on the sun visor clearly warn of the dangers of using a rearward facing child seat in that position without first disabling the airbag.

Pedestrian
The bumper and front edge of the bonnet - the areas where a pedestrian's legs would contact - predominantly offered marginal or poor protection. In most areas likely to be struck by the head of a child, the protection was mostly good with some poor performing areas. In those areas likely to be struck by an adult's head, the bonnet offered only mostly poor protection.

Safety assist
Electronic stability control is standard on the Golf Cabriolet and met Euro NCAP's requirements. There is a seatbelt reminder system for the driver and passenger, but not for the rear seats. The Golf Cabriolet is not available with a speed limitation device.