Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTE hatchback review

"The Volkswagen Golf GTE is a sporty plug-in but there's better value to be had elsewhere"

Carbuyer Rating

3.9 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review

Pros

  • Low running costs
  • Strong image
  • Performance

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Frustrating infotainment
  • Cheap interior trim

While not quite as cheap to run as a fully electric car, the flexibility of the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid could win over customers looking to dip their toe in the world of electrified motoring. It can cover most local trips with zero emissions but when a long journey crops up, you can rely on the petrol engine.

Advertisement - Article continues below

For many motorists the advantages of having 'two cars in one' will look rather appealing, at least while they wait for the charging network to improve and the cost of electric cars come down. The GTE doesn't have things all its own way because competition includes the talented Mercedes A 250 e, along with the SEAT Leon plug-in hybrid and Skoda Octavia iV.

Under the GTE's sporty bodywork, there's a 1.4-litre petrol turbo engine and an electric motor supplied by a 13kW battery. Officially this offers up to 40 miles of EV driving but we think around 30 miles is more realistic in normal conditions. Charging takes five hours or less, depending on the charger, and could cost less than a takeaway coffee. Official figures are boosted to 246mpg and CO2 emissions are cut to 26g/km, making the GTE very appealing for company-car drivers and anyone living in or near a low emissions zone.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside and out, the GTE shares many of its features with the GTI, including its tartan sports seats, body styling kit and sports steering wheel. With the combined efforts of its petrol engine and electric motor, it even has the same 242bhp, although its 6.7-second 0-62mph time is almost half-a-second slower. This is partly down to the GTE's extra weight, which also makes it feel slightly less agile than the GTI.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The VW Golf GTE's main drawback, however, is likely to be its price. Costing more than £35,000, the GTE is not only more expensive than its Leon and Octavia siblings, but also the Mercedes A 250 e in AMG Line trim. This makes it easy to argue the SEAT or Skoda are better value, and many may be tempted by the image of the A-Class and its desirable interior.

MPG, running costs & CO2

A bigger battery helps lower running costs even further

Along with its petrol engine, the Golf GTE features a powerful electric motor and a 13kWh battery, making it possible to drive for up to 39 miles without using any petrol. That's quite a large jump over the 8.7kWh battery and 30-mile range of the old Mk7 Golf GTE. However, the Mercedes A 250 e offers a slightly longer 45-mile range.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

It will be hard to match the official pure-electric range figure in real world conditions but arguably the biggest merit of the electric running is the effect on the GTE's claimed CO2 figure, which is just 26g/km. This cuts Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) liability far below that of any regular petrol or diesel model, with only fully electric cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 costing company-car drivers less to run. For those who still drive long distances regularly (or can't install a home charger), the flexibility of the GTE could make more sense. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Turn on the car and it starts silently in electric mode, happily pulling away and remaining emissions-free in town and suburban driving - so long as there's enough charge in the battery. When depleted, the GTE instead acts like a Toyota Prius hybrid, juggling power between the petrol and electric motor, just as it does if you drive more quickly.

Charging the battery takes around five hours using a three-pin socket, falling to more like 3.5 hours using a 3.6kW home wallbox.

Engines, drive & performance

Surefooted handling and a surprising turn of speed

Thanks to the combined efforts of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and 107bhp electric motor, the Golf GTE boasts a combined 242bhp - matching the Volkswagen Golf GTI while actually beating the hot hatch for pulling power. On the downside, the automatic-only GTE is also around 170kg thanks to its electric add-ons.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 6.7 seconds and the GTE can keep gathering speed until the needle reaches 140mph, where legally permitted. A drive mode button has a significant effect on the experience, because you can use it to keep some battery charge in reserve for later in a journey, or even tell the petrol engine to recharge the battery.

The car defaults to Comfort mode, and with optional adaptive dampers fitted (costing around £800) there's a good blend of ride comfort and the powertrain does a good job of switching between electric and petrol power. The GTE has sharp steering and reassuring handling, but it doesn't feel quite as agile as similar non-plug in Golfs owing to its extra weight.

Interior & comfort

Some nice touches but the infotainment system can be frustrating

Like the Golf GTD that came before it, the GTE is billed as an alternative to the GTI, and that's obvious inside. Although the colour palette favours hints of blue instead of red, there's the same tartan check fabric covering the seat inlays, jutting side bolsters to hold you firmly in place and a sports steering wheel. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's also fitted with the same 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 10.3-inch digital instrument display. These have caused irritation for some users, with too many sub-menus making it tricky to perform some tasks that should be straightforward, so we hope the user experience can be fixed via software updates. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Overall quality is good but there are more cheap-looking plastics than we'd like. Some cutbacks like the absence of soft padding for the rear doors and a manual stick to prop open the bonnet are surprising when competition in the class is so unrelenting. One of the highlights of the Mercedes A 250 e is its desirable interior, with upmarket materials and a slick infotainment setup.

Practicality & boot space

Lots of space up front but boot space takes a hit

One of the Golf's advantages is its long evolution because designers have had eight generations to tweak and improve its seating position and storage. There's lots of space for front passengers, and drivers of almost any height and shape should be able to find a comfortable seating position behind the wheel. There are generously sized cupholders, deep doorbins and a large glovebox.

There's just enough space in the rear seats for two adults but this doesn't leave much room in the middle, and there are roomier alternatives, including the Skoda Octavia. Unfortunately, the battery does mean the boot shrinks from the 380 litres of the standard Golf. It's still a practical shape, but there's no way of dropping the boot floor, so if you need to carry more stuff you'll need to fold the rear seats or pass items through the ski hatch. If you need a plug-in hybrid with a large boot, the Skoda Octavia iV is a better bet.

Reliability & safety

First-rate safety but reliability glitches could be an issue

While it's been changed extensively, the Mk8 Golf is fundamentally an evolution of its predecessor, based on the same MQB underpinnings, so owners will be hoping reliability doesn't dip. The Mk7 Golf came 50th out of the top 75 models in our 2020 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey but a worrying 28.1% of owners reported a fault within the first year, most often with the car's electrics. That compares to just 7.7% of owners reporting an issue with the Toyota Corolla

Concerns regarding safety are smaller, with the Volkswagen Golf scoring a solid five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, thanks not only to its strong structure but also its active safety technology. This includes features like lane keeping assist for motorway driving, LED Matrix headlights that can adapt for traffic and the conditions, and Car2X communications that can share information about traffic and accidents between cars in real time.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota C-HR review - stylish and efficient, but lacks rear space
Toyota C-HR UK front dynamic
In-depth reviews
18 Mar 2024

Toyota C-HR review - stylish and efficient, but lacks rear space

2024 Audi A3 gets more kit and sportier looks with new facelift
2024 Audi A3 front quarter
News
11 Mar 2024

2024 Audi A3 gets more kit and sportier looks with new facelift

Volkswagen Passat Estate review - conservative, but hugely practical
Volkswagen Passat Estate
In-depth reviews
7 Mar 2024

Volkswagen Passat Estate review - conservative, but hugely practical

New Dacia C-Neo hatchback to expand brand’s range of family cars
Dacia C-Neo render front quarter
News
5 Mar 2024

New Dacia C-Neo hatchback to expand brand’s range of family cars

Have You Considered

Citroen C4 review – a quirky, comfortable family hatchback
Citroen C4 hatchback
In-depth reviews
7 Feb 2024

Citroen C4 review – a quirky, comfortable family hatchback

Vauxhall Astra review - striking hatchback with updated tech
vauxhall astra uk
In-depth reviews
23 Oct 2023

Vauxhall Astra review - striking hatchback with updated tech

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
15 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
15 Mar 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

More on Golf GTE hatchback

Volkswagen Golf GTE hatchback (2015-2018)
In-depth reviews
10 Aug 2017

Volkswagen Golf GTE hatchback (2015-2018)

"Despite its name, the Volkswagen Golf GTE isn't a GTI, but it is fast and inexpensive to run"

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
19 Dec 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024