Volkswagen Golf review: Plug-in hybrid boosts family hatch appeal

The Volkswagen Golf has been one of Europe’s best-selling cars for decades. The baby of the loyal family is now in its eighth generation and shows no signs of letting up. There is no all-electric version yet – that has been proposed for the ninth generation – but the company does not stand still when it comes to electrification. In fact, along with the Golf eHybrid (not to be confused with the etsy mild hybrid), it offers one of the few plug-in hybrid family hatchbacks on the market. And also, one of the best.

This generation of Golf was updated to the so-called ‘Golf 8.5’ in 2024. The eHybrid received one of the biggest changes, with the plug-in hybrid system receiving a much larger battery. This takes the pure EV range to nearly 90 miles, and also adds DC rapid-charge capability.

Volkswagen took the opportunity to update the infotainment technology inside. This was another big rogue of this generation of golf. Otherwise, updates were subtle, continuing the timeless look that has been a hallmark of the Golf since its launch in 1974. And with 37 million sales (and counting), who’s to argue with VW’s approach here?

How we tested

I spent a morning driving the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid in the English Midlands – coincidentally on the same roads that Aston Martin uses to develop its latest supercars. It was a tough test that VW passed with flying colors.

Independent Rating: 8/10

Volkswagen Golf eHybrid Specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

It’s the updated battery, now with a capacity of 19.7kWh, that helps make the latest Volkswagen Golf eHybrid such an impressive plug-in hybrid. The range is now an extraordinary 88 miles, meaning many people will be able to go for days without plugging it in and still enjoy all their journeys entirely under electricity.

The car defaults to EV mode whenever the battery is charged. If you want to switch to hybrid mode, you have to do it manually every time you start. It’s worth knowing that it does this, just keep in mind – if you want to spread the EV power over a longer journey rather than using it all at once, you’ll have to switch to hybrid mode yourself.

Stamping on the accelerator to demand maximum power will start the engine, but I found this rare – and the dashboard display is clear enough to tell how much electrical power is in reserve before the engine starts.

The engine is an advanced 1.5-litre TSI motor, with clever turbocharger and combustion technology. When combined with the electric motor, there is a total output of 204hp, good for 0-62mph acceleration in 7.4 seconds. While moving, you shouldn’t notice the engine switching in and out, and it seems to switch back to EV mode repeatedly, even in hybrid mode.

To drive, it’s just like golf. The handling is stable and assured, the ride is comfortable and there’s a sense of quiet confidence that helps to underline what a well-rounded car this is. Overall refinement is also excellent – ​​especially, of course, when it’s running in full EV mode.

As far as charging goes, the ability to now use a 50kW DC rapid charger is a real boon. Volkswagen estimates it will achieve an 80% charge in just 27 minutes. It also has 11kW AC charging capability, which will speed up the time it takes to fully charge using a home wall box.

Interior, practicality and boot space

There is a generally high quality feel inside the Volkswagen Golf. Many materials appear to have been upgraded to feel a little more like a VW, and the overall impression is one of solidity. It also has an excellent driving position with good visibility, well-placed controls and comfortable, firmly supported seats. Everyone should feel comfortable driving the Golf.

Happily, Volkswagen has removed the fiddly touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. There are proper physical controls now, making it much easier to use. I also found it easier to select and disable the more annoying safety assistance systems now fitted to all new cars.

Space in the rear is also good. Again, it’s all thoughtfully designed to provide comfort for people of all shapes and sizes. Headroom is particularly generous.

There are some nice practical touches too, like pockets for mobile phones on the backs of the front seats. In Style models, three-zone climate control is standard, with separate controls for the rear occupants. The Style model also has darkened rear glass, making the cabin slightly more sombre than the standard Match model.

Less thought has been given to boot space. Due to the packaging of the plug-in hybrid battery and other electronics, the boot is much shallower than the standard Golf. Total capacity has dropped from 381 liters to just 273 litres, which is smaller than many supermini cars in the category below. At least the shallow space is easy to load – you can just slide things in and out.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

A completely redesigned infotainment system housing a much larger 12.9-inch touchscreen has helped transform the Volkswagen Golf. Compared to the previous system, the new setup is clearer, more colorful, and more logical in use. There’s less need to delve deep into sub-menus for the simplest things, and you’ll spend less time staring at the screen trying to get it done.

There are still some physical shortcut buttons below it, for quick access to key sections like driver assistance and climate controls, but unlike before, I rarely had to call up on them. I also like the inclusion of a mobile phone-style ‘home’ icon at the bottom of the screen, and the configurable strip of icons at the top is also a smart solution.

The physical touch bar for changing the heater and volume remains obscured, mind you – I used the permanently displayed climate bar at the bottom of the touchscreen instead. At least that Touch Bar is lit up now.

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid has a standard six-speaker stereo, with DAB and music streaming via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s fine, but those wanting a premium option will be disappointed; The optional 480-watt Harman Kardon system offered on other Golfs is not available here.

Prices and operating costs

Prices for the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid start from around £36,500. This is significantly more than the regular Golf petrol, although it is still significantly cheaper than the plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Astra or Peugeot 308. Trims start with the already well-specified Match Grade, with styling adding additional little details like posher trim and more color options for interior ambient lighting.

Larger battery capacity means far greater EV range, which should pay dividends for overall fuel economy. As mentioned, if you have a wall box, you’ll be able to maximize the EV potential and significantly reduce the amount of unleaded petrol you pump. At the end of my testing I achieved overall economy of 180mpg, as well as an EV efficiency of 4.7 miles per kWh. It was also a fairly representative campaign – I can’t promise you’ll achieve it, but it shows what’s possible.

Of course, the Volkswagen Golf also enjoys strong retail value, which helps reduce monthly finance payments, and is also beneficial to the lease cost.

volkswagen golf rival

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid can use a 50kW DC rapid charger, allowing it to charge 80 percent in less than 30 minutes.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid is pricier than the regular Golf, but its longer EV range helps justify it.

Does Volkswagen replace batteries for free?

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid has an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty for its high-voltage battery.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Decision

The Volkswagen Golf is an institution, and deservedly so. It has provided practical, reliable motoring for more than 50 years, and the eHybrid version makes it the very latest in plug-in hybrid technology. It has some glaring flaws, but overall, it’s a good all-rounder.