Top Safety Pick + Top Safety Pick criteria
2016 Volkswagen GTI
small car / 4-door hatchback
Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and applies only to 4-door models
Small overlap front: driver-side
Rating applies to 2015-21 models
Tested vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen GTI 4-door
The Volkswagen Golf and GTI were redesigned for the 2015 model year. The small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Golf, known as the Golf SportWagen, introduced in the 2015 model year as a replacement for the Jetta SportWagen. Similarly, the ratings apply to the 4-wheel-drive variant of the wagon, the Golf Alltrack, introduced in the 2017 model year.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but nearly slid off the left side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed and had sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. | |
Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.
The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.
During the crash, the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but then nearly slid off the left side. The seat belt allowed the dummy to move too far forward, as is evident from the gap between the seat back and the dummy's torso.
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.
Technical measurements for this test
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Rating applies to 2015-21 models
Tested vehicle: 2016 Volkswagen GTI 4-door
The Volkswagen Golf and GTI were redesigned for the 2015 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.
The passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Golf, known as the Golf SportWagen, introduced in the 2015 model year as a replacement for the Jetta SportWagen. Similarly, the ratings apply to the 4-wheel-drive variant of the wagon, the Golf Alltrack, introduced in the 2017 model year.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | |
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the right side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Hip/thigh | |
| Lower leg/foot | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | |
Technical measurements for this test
Moderate overlap front: original test
Rating applies to 2015-21 models
Tested vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen GTI 4-door
The Volkswagen Golf and GTI were redesigned for the 2015 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.
The moderate overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Golf, known as the Golf SportWagen, introduced in the 2015 model year as a replacement for the Jetta SportWagen. Similarly, the ratings apply to the 4-wheel-drive variant of the wagon, the Golf Alltrack, introduced in the 2017 model year.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | |
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Chest | |
| Leg/foot, left | |
| Leg/foot, right | |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | |
Technical measurements for this test
Side: original test
Rating applies to 2015-21 models
Tested vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen GTI 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
The Volkswagen Golf and GTI were redesigned for the 2015 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.
The side crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Golf, known as the Golf SportWagen, introduced in the 2015 model year as a replacement for the Jetta SportWagen. Similarly, the ratings apply to the 4-wheel-drive variant of the wagon, the Golf Alltrack, introduced in the 2017 model year.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | |
| Structure and safety cage | |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis/leg | |
| Driver head protection | |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | |
| Torso | |
| Pelvis/leg | |
| Rear passenger head protection | |
Technical measurements for this test
Roof strength
Rating applies to 2015-21 models
Tested vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen GTI 4-door
Rating applies to the GTI 4-door (tested), Golf 4-door, and the structurally similar Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack.
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,166 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,303 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.78 |
Head restraints & seats
Seat type: Power leather seat
| Overall evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | |
| Seat/head restraint geometry |
Technical measurements for this test
About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.