2020 Volkswagen Golf  RealSafeCars82Safety Rating

#21 of 2020 Sedan/Hatchback/Wagons

#67 of all 2020 vehicles


Pictured: 2015 Volkswagen Golf
The Golf, a mainstay of Volkswagen's lineup for decades, is a small hatchback with seating up to 5. Exceeding the average MPG (miles per gallon) for its class, it reduces fuel costs and the carbon footprint. The Golf has technology that is now expected: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Volkswagen offers a 6-year, 72,000-mile basic/powertrain warranty on its lineup.


The 2020 Volkswagen Golf is average compared to all vehicles.

Comparison to all vehicles.  This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2020 Volkswagen Golf has a score of 82, implying a 0.039% chance of driver death (3.5% chance of injury).

We estimate that the 2020 Volkswagen Golf has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0387% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 4.4142%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0387% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 4.4142% chance of being injured.

Compared to the average vehicle, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf is 17% less likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf is 23% less likely to result in a fatal accident.


But it is safer than many comparable models.

9161Hyundai KonaNissan KicksHonda HR-VHyundai VelosterHyundai Elantra GTNissan Rogue SportToyota C-HRVolkswagen GolfBuick EncoreMazda CX-30Chevrolet TraxMazda CX-3Comparison to similar models.  This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2020 Volkswagen Golf with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 61 to 91. The 2020 Volkswagen Golf is safer than the 2020 Hyundai Kona, the 2020 Nissan Kicks, the 2020 Honda HR-V, the 2020 Hyundai Veloster, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT, the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport, the 2020 Mazda CX-3, the 2020 Chevrolet Trax, the 2020 Mazda CX-30, and the 2020 Buick Encore and less safe than the 2020 Toyota C-HR.

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