2008 Volkswagen GTI Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 65 GTI reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The GTI is very competitive for its class with regards to safety, and scores well in government crash tests.
The 2008 four-door GTI earned four out of five stars in frontal offset crashes for both the driver and front passenger's protection. The four-door also received five stars for side crashes. The two-door hatchback was not rated.
Accident Avoidance
New Car Test Drive provides a helpful rundown of some of the GTI's standard accident-avoidance features: "ABS comes standard, helping the driver maintain steering control while braking. Brake Assist helps the driver maintain full braking pressure in an emergency stopping situation. Electronic brake-force distribution balances braking front to rear for quicker, more stable braking." Also standard is a tire-pressure monitoring. Perhaps because of all of these features, the Oregonian reports, "The GTI never felt unstable and remained well-glued to the road in all weather conditions." Cars.com offers an important safety tip, noting, "If you intend to drive in snow, you must get winter or at least all-season tires. The standard rubber is a summer tire -- disastrous in snow."
Crash Protection
Six standard air bags surround driver and passengers within the GTI's sturdy frame. Autobytel rationalizes the GTI's strong performance: "The front passenger's seat has an occupant detection system, each front bucket boasts an active headrest to help prevent whiplash, a crash sensor unlocks the doors in the event of a crash, and all five passengers, even the one riding the middle hump out back, gets a three-point lap and shoulder seatbelt." Special child-seat anchors offer extra safety for children. According to About.com, "The second row LATCH child-seat anchors were easy to access -- in fact I found them easier to find and reach in the GTI than they in the much larger VW Touareg SUV."