Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet convertible (2011-2016) - Reliability & safety

The fly in the ointment of the otherwise brilliant Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is that the previous-generation VW Golf hatchback, on which it’s based, didn’t really shine in our Driver Power 2014 owner satisfaction survey. At least it performs well when it comes to safety. The Cabriolet hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but the standard hatchback performed well and the Cabriolet also has an impressive list of safety equipment.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet reliability

The previous-generation Golf hatchback, on which the current Cabriolet is based, finished 89th in our Driver Power 2014 owner satisfaction survey. That’s a pretty poor result, but by comparison, the latest version of the hatchback charted 18th.

At least you’ll enjoy the protection of a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which, as we’ve already mentioned, is extendable to four or five years for a not-insignificant price.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet safety

The previous-generation Golf hatchback scored the full five stars in its Euro NCAP crash test, so we reckon the Cabriolet would perform equally well, although it lacks the additional rigidity provided by the hatchback’s metal roof. To compensate, the Cabriolet has extra body strengthening. There are no visible roll hoops, but the car has a pop-up system that’s activated the second it senses the car is about to roll over. In addition, the model benefits from Volkswagen’s latest safety thinking, so has a full complement of airbags as well as electronic stability control. An optional driver alert system, which sounds an alarm and issues a warning if it senses the driver is beginning to lose concentration, costs £70.