Volkswagen Golf GTI (2009 - 2012) practicality

The GTI comes with front and side airbags, a driver's side knee airbag, and front and rear curtain airbags. Side airbags for rear passengers can be chosen as an option. Electronic stability control is also standard. Like its predecessor it was awarded a five-star rating by Euro NCAP for adult occupant safety along with four stars for child safety. It was also given five stars under the new Euro NCAP crash rating scheme.

Introduced in 2009, the revised overall rating covers not only adult occupant safety but includes child and pedestrian safety along with a rear impact whiplash test.

The GTI has the same boot space as the standard Golf. It's also virtually identical to the previous version of the hot hatch with a minimum capacity of 350 litres, extending up to more than 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded. This isn't as large as other hatchbacks like the Ford Focus, but the tailgate offers slightly better access than on the previous model with a broader opening.

In the front the glove compartment and other storage areas are usefully large while the door pockets have sculpted bottle holders.