Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-2019) reliability & safety
Volkswagen build quality always impresses and the e-Golf is no exception in this regard. It should be very safe, too
| Euro NCAP | Adult protection | Child safety | Safety assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 stars (2012 – rating expired) | 94% | 89% | 71% |
The Driver Power customer-satisfaction survey suggests there are a few brands building more reliable cars than Volkswagen. The e-Golf is simpler than petrol or diesel cars from a mechanical perspective, and the on-board technology is well tested.
Volkswagen e-Golf reliability & problems
The previous-generation Golf was ranked 18th overall out of 75 cars in the 2018 Driver Power Survey, coming 15th for reliability. This is a respectable result, and the Golf has traditionally fared well in the survey. As a result, we’d expect life with the e-Golf to be pretty trouble-free, especially when you consider that the electric drivetrain is considerably simpler than an internal combustion engine and gearbox. The obvious high build quality of the Golf provides additional reassurance, and of course there’s a very well established dealer network if you do run into any problems.
Safety
The safety of the standard Golf range is right up with the best in its class, and there’s no reason to think you or the family will be any worse off in the electric version, should the worst happen. The independent crash-testing organisation Euro NCAP awarded this generation of Golf the full five stars and its results included a commendably high score of 94% for adult occupant protection. However, that was back in 2012 and the rating is now expired, so it's not directly comparable with ratings for more up-to-date models.
Standard safety kit includes seven airbags, plus the mandatory stability control and braking assistance as part of the active cruise control system. Additional items like lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic-sign recognition are available, but only as extra-cost options.
