Frontal crash ratings.  No speculations, just the numbers.  Notice the
Vanagon is rated as well, ahem, as the Eurovan, and better than some others:

The Results below are listed in the following left to right order:
(F=Frontal impact; S=Side impact)
(All impacts are measured in the front seats except passenger side impacts
which are measured in the rear seat.)
Year--- |Make and Model                |Doors| Weight |  Driver (F) Pass  |
Driver (S) Pass |

1993-94 VW Eurovan----------- Van-- 3860 (*    ) (***  )
1987--- VW Fox--------------- 2Dr-- 2610 (*    ) (*    )
1988--- VW Fox--------------- 2Dr-- 2700 (**   ) (*    )
1989--- VW Fox--------------- 2Dr-- 2150 (***  ) (***  )
1986--- VW Golf-------------- 4HB-- 2620 (***  ) (**** )
1995-96 VW Golf-------------- 4Dr-- 2725 (***  ) (***  )
1981--- VW Jetta------------- 4Dr-- 2521 (*****) (*****)
1981--- VW Jetta------------- 4Dr-- 2650 (*    ) (**   )
1985--- VW Jetta------------- 4Dr-- 2844 (***  ) (***  )
1995-97 VW Jetta------------- 4Dr-- 2725 (***  ) (***  )
1990--- VW Passat------------ 4Dr-- 2990 (**   ) (**** )
1995-97 VW Passat------------ 4Dr-- 3124 (**** ) (**** )
1982--- VW Quantum----------- 4Dr-- 2954 (*    ) (***  )
1979--- VW Rabbit------------ 2HB-- 2600 (**   ) (*****)
1980--- VW Rabbit CV--------- 2CV-- 2767 (*    ) (***  )
1982--- VW Scirocco---------- 2Dr-- 2680 (*    ) (**** )
1986--- VW Scirocco---------- 2HB-- 2580 (***  ) ( N/A )
1985--- VW Vanagon----------- Van-- 3780 (*    ) (***  )
1988--- VW Vanagon----------- Van-- 4120 (*    ) (***  )

Here's the link:

http://www.crashtest.com/explanations/archive/crash.htm#anchor168847

Chris
'85 Westy.