The Golf was originally assessed in 2019. The updated car has been reassessed against 2022 protocols, with some 2019 tests carried over where applicable.

The passenger compartment of the Golf remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy numbers demonstrated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger.  VW showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions.  Protection of the driver’s chest was rated as marginal, based on dummy readings of compression.  Analysis of the deceleration of the impact trolley during the test, and analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the Golf would be an aggressive impact partner in a frontal collision. In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good or adequate for both the driver and the rear passenger. In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored maximum points in this part of the assessment.  In the more severe side pole impact, chest protection was marginal but that of other critical body regions was good. Control of excursion (the extent to which a body is thrown to the other side of the vehicle when it is hit from the far side) was found to be adequate. The Golf has a counter-measure to mitigate against occupant to occupant injuries in such impacts. The system performed well in Euro NCAP’s test, with good protection of occupants’ heads.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.   The Golf has an advanced eCall system which alerts the emergency services in the event of a crash.   The car also has a system which applies the brakes after an impact to avoid secondary collisions.

With the exception of the neck of the 10 year dummy in the frontal impact, dummy readings indicated good or adequate protection of all critical body areas for both child dummies.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  The status of the airbag is clearly indicated to the driver and the system was rewarded. All of the restraint types for which the Golf is designed could be properly installed and accommodated.

The bonnet provided predominantly good or adequate protection to the head of a struck pedestrian.  The bumper offered good protection to pedestrians’ legs and protection of the pelvis region was also good at all test locations.  The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system of the Golf can respond to vulnerable road users, as well as to other vehicles.  The system performed adequately in tests of its response to pedestrians and cyclists, with collisions avoided in most scenarios.

The Golf’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its reaction to other vehicles.  A seatbelt reminder system is fitted as standard to the front and rear seats and the car has a system to detect driver fatigue.  The lane support system gently corrects the vehicle’s path if it is drifting out of lane, and also intervenes in some more critical situations.  A driver-set speed limiter is standard equipment.