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VolkswagenGolf Cabriolet (2011-2016)

Used only
Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£5,778Typical price

Test score

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Recently, it seemed that hard-top coupé-cabriolets were signalling the death of the traditional soft-top convertible. Indeed, Volkswagen killed off its Golf Cabriolet and replaced it with the hard-top Eos. But the tables have turned again and the fabric-roof VW Golf Cabrio returned in 2011. Could this be the world's best convertible? Read our full road test review to find out.

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Volkswagen cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Sept 2011First reviewed by Which?
Sept 2011Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	Yes
Availability	Used only
Used price	£5,778 - £10,443
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	46.7 to 59.1mpg
Length	4,246mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,782mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,045mm
Height	1,423mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Number of seats	4
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.8 m
On sale date	01 September 2011
Lowest pence per mile cost	£11.73

Latest tested engine
Engine name	2.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Tech
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (140hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	55 litres
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	11.73p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£84
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	127
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	08 March 2012
Test programme	2001-2012

Engine two
Engine name	1.2TSI Bluemotion Tech
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.2-litre (105hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	55 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	14.01p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£79
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	157
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	710kg
Engine test date	29 June 2011
Car test programme	2001-2012

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VolkswagenGolf Cabriolet (2011-2016)

where to buy or sell