1989 VW Golf Fails to Meet Modern Safety Standards in 2025 Crash Test
Berlin, Germany – A 1989 Volkswagen Golf suffered catastrophic damage in a recent crash test conducted by German automotive safety organization Dekra, starkly illustrating the advancements in vehicle safety over the past four decades. The test, performed to 2025 standards, revealed a notable disparity in occupant protection when compared to a current-generation Golf.
Dekra subjected both a well-maintained second-generation Golf and a 2019 model to a frontal impact test replicating a moderate overlap collision - a procedure used by Euro NCAP until 2020, involving a 60 km/h impact against a safety barrier. The results were dramatically different.
Video footage of the 1989 Golf’s impact showed significant deformation reaching the passenger cabin.According to a Dekra expert, “In the Golf II, the occupants were unlikely to survive this frontal collision due to the collapse of the passenger compartment, the deep penetration of the components of the vehicle in the passenger compartment, deceleration and the impact on the steering wheel.”
in contrast, the 2019 Golf’s cabin remained intact, with occupants well-protected by front and side airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners.Beyond the crash test, Dekra also evaluated braking performance and handling. The 1989 Golf required approximately 30% more distance to come to a complete stop than the modern model. In a maneuverability test, the older Golf could manage a speed of 65 km/h, while the newer version reached 75 km/h.
“Today’s vehicles are safer than ever, it’s undeniable,” the report highlights, emphasizing the evolution of collision testing and its impact on manufacturer design. While the 1989 Golf offered respectable handling for its time, the test underscores the substantial safety improvements achieved in modern vehicle construction.
Dekra’s findings echo similar tests conducted by the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) years ago, notably a comparison between a 1959 Chevrolet Impala and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, which also demonstrated a vast difference in crashworthiness.
[Image of 1989 Volkswagen Golf subject to a 2025 collision test – Auto123.com]
[Image of 1989 Volkswagen Golf subject to a 2025 collision test – Auto123.com]
Original content sourced from https://www.auto123.com/fr/actualites/volkswagen-golf-1989-test-collision/73128/
