2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI

small car / 4-door hatchback

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI 4-door hatchback
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Advanced

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4-door

The Volkswagen Golf GTI, formerly known as the Volkswagen GTI, was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Golf GTI conducted by Volkswagen as part of frontal crash test verification. These ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Golf R.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN2201
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Footrest (cm) 4
Left toepan (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm) 0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 6
Lower instrument panel (cm) 7

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2201
Head
HIC-15 118
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Femur (kN)
Left 4.4
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.29
Right 0.30
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.5
Right 1.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 46

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4-door

The Volkswagen Golf GTI, formerly known as the Volkswagen GTI, was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Golf GTI conducted by Volkswagen as part of frontal crash test verification. These ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Golf R.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2204
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Footrest (cm) 5
Right toepan (cm) 3
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 7
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 6
Right lower dash (cm) 5

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2204
Head
HIC-15 160
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 1
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.60
Right 0.44
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 53
Right 53

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2204
Head
HIC-15 126
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 29
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.58
Right 0.20
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 45
Right 38

How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4-door

The Volkswagen Golf GTI, formerly known as the Volkswagen GTI, was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Golf GTI conducted by Volkswagen as part of frontal crash test verification. These ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Golf R.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2201
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 6
Right (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) -1
Right (cm) -1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2201
Head
HIC-15 175
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.28
Maximum tibia index - right 0.70
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 3.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 72
Right 176

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4-door

The Volkswagen Golf GTI, formerly known as the Volkswagen GTI, was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Golf GTI conducted by Volkswagen as part of side crash test verification. These ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Golf R.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2201
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -17.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2201
Head HIC-15 144
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 35
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 30
Average deflection (mm) 28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.24
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.37
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 3.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.8
L-M moment (Nm) 314
A-P moment (Nm) 44

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2201
Head HIC-15 196
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 46
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 41
Average deflection (mm) 31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.46
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.67
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.7
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.0
L-M moment (Nm) 114
A-P moment (Nm) 23

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE 4-door

Ratings apply to the Volkswagen Golf GTI (tested) and the structurally similar 2022 Golf R.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 3,254 lbs
Peak force 21,544 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 6.62

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 29
Distance below top of head (mm) -9
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.7
Head contact time (ms) 60
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 327

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Autobahn trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Autobahn trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 60.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 54.5 m None
250m radius right curve, left edge 57.3 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 37.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 152.0 m
Straightaway left edge 148.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 91.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 78.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 73.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 60.9 m

Trim level(s)

  • S trim
  • SE trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • S trim
  • SE trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 60.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 54.5 m None
250m radius right curve, left edge 57.3 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 37.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 61.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 152.0 m
Straightaway left edge 148.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 91.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 78.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 73.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 60.9 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Front Assist

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-24 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph. A warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

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