► VW Golf PHEV driven
► Up to 88 miles claimed e-range
► Want electric? Get an ID.3
Volkswagen couldn’t have launched an updated Golf family hatchback without tickling the hybrid models in the range. The Golf eHybrid has been refreshed for 2024 to bring it in line with the rest of the family hatch lineup, complete with the marque’s latest – and vastly improved – infotainment software.
The eHybrid model is still as close as you can get to an electric Golf without straying into ID.3 territory – the de facto Golf EV in VW’s range. It’s a plug-in hybrid, as opposed to the mild hybrid Golf options VW supplies, meaning it can be charged up from the mains and then run as a full EV until the battery runs out, at which point the combustion engine would kick in. Alternatively, the two may deliver power in tandem – the electric motor propping up the ICE unit with auxiliary power when necessary.
If you’re wondering what splits the eHybrid and the Golf GTE, the latter is essentially a sportier version. The interior trims feature racier touches, while the GTE’s ice unit/electric motor combo is more powerful, with 242bhp on offer. We’re yet to review the newly updated sporty Golf hybrid in full, but we did test the Mk 8 Golf GTE.
But anyway, back to the 2024 Golf eHybrid. Read on for the full review from CAR or head over to our how we test cars page first to find out how we reached our verdict.
At a glance
Pros: Quiet and comfortable, vastly improved infotainment, smooth power delivery
Cons: Bland interior, lacks poke, cheaper rivals
What’s new?
VW has gone to town on the new Golf’s infotainment, largely in response to industry-wide criticism over the Mk 8’s software design and useability. The Golf eHybrid now features VW’s latest MIB4 infotainment software, plus a few new tech extras such as a 360deg camera and Park Assist Pro, which allows owners to park their car from their phone.
The 12.9-inch infotainment display houses pretty much all of the car’s functions, though a couple of new touch sliders beneath the display now control the volume and the car’s temperature. The exterior of the Golf eHybrid has largely been left untouched, but the VW logo is now illuminated to match an LED strip in the radiator grille.
How does the Golf eHybrid drive?
In town, the eHybrid is zippy and keen to keep you in e-mode for as long as possible – you pretty much have to kick the throttle into the firewall for the 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine to wake up. It was especially noticeable when we were hurling up a motorway slip road – that turbocharged four-cylinder growls like a wolf with a cold – even though the soundproofing managed to mask the gruffness of it all. It oddly didn’t add much to overall acceleration, despite all the fuss.
Gratefully, though, electric-only range is up in the 2024 eHybrid, with 88 miles now on offer Volkswagen says. We could only manage around 72 during our EV only mode test, but that’s stilly an impressive figure, and certainly enough to be used on a daily basis in urban environments without troubling the petrol engine.
Where the Golf eHybrid really excels is in longer journeys. Over a 200-mile mostly-motorway journey, with a ¾ charged battery we managed 62mpg. Take THAT, diesel.
And it was relaxing on the way. Podcast on, e-motor and engine working in perfect harmony and not a lot of wind noise either – whether you like that face (complete with glowing bar at night) or not, the Golf certainly cuts cleanly through the air.
The steering is light and pretty numb in terms of communication from the road, but it’s sharp and precise, offering a zippy connection between your inputs and the changing movement of the front wheels.
The eHybrid managed to stay planted and composed through the bends, while road imperfections were soaked up with a neat aptitude, though some of that benefit comes from the new Golf eHybrid’s spec.
Your entry into electrified Golf ownership is the mid-level Style spec, but the PHEV version has smaller wheels with fat balloon tyres compared to a regular one – great for reducing rolling resistance and translating fewer jolts up your back.
What’s the interior like?
Simple, modest, business-like – quintessentially Golf. Most of the cabin is broken up by an assembly of soft materials, including a brushed fabric in the seat trims, as well as a knitted type around the seat bolstering. Coupled with some gloss plastics and it’s all quite a sleek affair, but the vibe is let down by a truly drab array of colours. Piloting the Golf we tested felt like driving around in Nick Hewer’s duvet set – any sense of imagination was absent, strictly business. Bit of a shame for a family car.
The dashboard is dominated by a large infotainment screen, on which the latest MIB4 software is displayed. The screen itself is wide and domineering, but the graphics are crisp, clear and the menus are easy to navigate through. We found the touch sliders to be a bit of a pain at times, as we often had to really smear the system with our thumbs to get the volume to change, but they at least neaten the layout of the dash.
We’d have preferred a few more physical buttons, and especially for the climate controls as they can be a bit of a faff to find while on the road, but the arrangement is probably something you’d soon get used to as an owner. Head and leg space are reasonable both in the front and back, while the eHybrid’s boot can hold up to 273 litres max. It’s worth noting that the mild hybrid petrol and diesel Golfs can store up to 381 litres, so be prepared to lose out on luggage space if opting for the plug in model.
What are the specs?
The Golf eHybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, combined with an electric motor. Together, they produce 201bhp and 184lbft of torque, sending all the power to the front wheels via a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The eHybrid can reach 62mph in 7.2 seconds before going on to a top speed of 137mph.
As for battery capacity, it’s got a 19.7kWh unit, with a claimed total EV only range of 88 miles. As already stated, however, real world testing revealed a true EV only range of 72 miles. Considering the benefit of the electric motor on emissions, VW has a quoted fuel economy figure of 941mpg, and an emissions state of 6g/km. Dimensions are pretty much the same as the previous Golf Mk8: the eHybrid is 4,631mm long, 1789mm wide and 1,487mm tall.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
The Golf eHybrid is available in the Golf Style trim level, starting form £37,135. For your money, you get 17” alloy wheels, exterior ambient lighting, sports comfort seats, three-zone Climatronic air conditioning, a rear-view camera and adaptive high beams, among many other features. Adaptive cruise control is also thrown in as part of the package, as well as lane keep assist, rear traffic alert and the 12.9” display.
As for rivals, there aren’t too many plug-in hybrid hatchbacks on the market these days, but the Citroen C5 X SUV, with its roomy cabin, aptitude for long journeys and comfortable ride, starts from just under £40k.
VW Golf eHybrid: verdict
You need to want a Golf to really be won over. It’s refined, smooth and comfortable just as VW’s perennial family hatch should be, with a decent e-range. But the eHybrid is flanked by so many other more interesting or cars for a similar amount of money that there’s little to convince you the Golf is the better option.
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