Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

  • Automatic
  • Petrol Parallel PHEV
  • 5 door hatchback
  • 21 g/km CO2
  • 7.4 secs 0 to 62 mph
  • 204 bhp Engine power

Ten Second Review

If you want a PHEV Volkswagen Golf, but you want it slightly more affordably, then you want this car, the Golf eHybrid. It gets an only slightly lesser-powered version of the PHEV powertrain we know from the Golf GTE, but clothes this 204PS package in more conservative bodywork. At an asking price that'll make this variant a very reasonable alternative to a Golf 2.0 TDI diesel for many forward-thinking folk.

Background

For years, Volkswagen offered just one Plug-in hybrid Golf variant and we knew it as the GTE. At the end of 2020, a new generation version of that model arrived on the market, based on the eighth generation Golf and powered by a 245PS version of the usual 1.4-litre TSI-based powerplant. But it was a touch pricey for some folk, hence the arrival of this de-tuned 204PS version of the same powertrain, slightly less sportily-packed in this model, the Golf eHybrid. Adding this variant to the range made sense: the identically engineered SEAT Leon/CUPRA Leon and Skoda Octavia models also offer their customers PHEV motoring with a choice of 204 and 245PS power outputs. And it gets you a substantial price saving over the alternative Golf GTE. Let's take a closer look at this car.

Driving Experience

As with the Golf GTE, the combustion element of this Golf eHybrid model's drivetrain uses a 150PS 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and a 6-speed DSG auto gearbox. What's changed here is that total output falls from 245 to 204PS but there's still 350Nm of torque, enough to propel this model from rest to 62 mph in only 7.4 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 137mph. Around town, practically all short-distance trips are possible in the Golf eHybrid with zero tailpipe emissions. The car's full electric range of 44 miles on a full charge, allied to the fact that the Golf eHybrid always starts journeys in all-electric E-MODE if the battery is sufficiently charged (except at battery temperatures of below -10°C), means that all-electric running will probably become the norm for many drivers. Moreover, since the Golf eHybrid can also be driven in all-electric mode at speeds of up to 80mph, motorways can also be covered under purely electric power. It is also possible to reserve electric energy during longer journeys in order to guarantee that it is possible to drive in E-MODE, with zero local tailpipe emissions, in a built-up area at your eventual destination. At the start of the journey, you simply enter the percentage of the battery capacity that must be reserved into the infotainment system. The battery doesn't have to be fully charged at the start of the journey for this to function effectively, since the lithium-ion unit can also be charged during the trip via both the TSI engine and brake energy recuperation.

Design and Build

The Golf eHybrid doesn't have the sporty GTI-themed looks of Volkswagen's other PHEV Golf, the GTE - but then you might like its more discreet, conservative vibe. That's based around mid-range 'Style' trim, which comes with 17-inch 'Belmont' alloy wheels and gets body-coloured front air intake fins, with chrome-trimmed lower fins extending across the lower radiator grille. Plus there's an LED light strip extending across the upper radiator grille between the LED 'Plus' headlights. Inside, as on all Golfs, Volkswagen's so-called 'Innovision Cockpit' comes as standard, a fusion of the brand's 10.25-inch 'Digital Cockpit' instrument binnacle screen and the company's 10-inch 'Discover Pro' centre-dash navigation infotainment display. Also standard is a background lighting system which bathes the cabin in a spectrum of 30 configurable colours. Otherwise, things are much as with any other Golf, so you get great build quality and decent space for two adults on the rear bench. As with the GTE, the Plug-in system compromises boot space capacity, which falls from 380-litres with an ordinary Golf to 273-litres. Fold the split rear bench and you can extend this to 1,130-litres.

Market and Model

The Golf eHybrid costs £37,000. You'll want to know how that compares to the price of the 245PS Golf GTE and the answer is that it equates to a useful saving of around £3,700. You still get plenty of equipment though, based around mid-range 'Style' trim. There's Volkswagen's sophisticated Digital Cockpit Pro digital instrument set-up, incorporating a digital instrument screen and a 'Discover Media' navigation system on the centre stack monitor, which gives you media streaming and internet, as well as a DAB+ tuner and a mobile phone interface. Also included is a wireless charging mat, a multifunction leather steering wheel, sports comfort seats; Adaptive Cruise Control and Air Care Climatronic automatic air conditioning and a Keyless Start keyless comfort start function. As well as smart 16-inch 'San Antonio' alloy wheels. Drive features run to Adaptive Cruise Control, a start/stop system with brake energy recuperation, the pioneering Car2X local warning system, LED Plus headlights and LED tail light clusters. Safety kit includes a Lane Assist lane keeping system, Front Assist Autonomous Emergency Braking and Dynamic Road Sign Display.

Cost of Ownership

You'll want to know how the Golf eHybrid's figures compare to those of the Golf GTE. Well, an eHybrid manages 235.4mpg, 21g/km of CO2, which means a BiK rate of only 7%. Plus it has a 44 mile all-electric driving range. For the Golf GTE, which has a 40 mile driving range, the fuel figure is the same and the CO2 reading is 26g/km. A full charge of the battery in the Golf eHybrid is normally performed via an external power supply. A charge port is provided in the front wing on the driver's side into which the charging cable is plugged. Depending on the power source, charging takes place with 2.3 or 3.6 kW alternating current (AC). When supplied with 230volts at 2.3 kW via the normal domestic grid, the battery is fully charged in five hours if it had previously been completely empty. If the power source is a Volkswagen wall box or a charging station with 360volts and a charging cable designed for 3.6 kW, the charging time is reduced to three hours and 40 minutes. The battery charger manages charging fully automatically - all the driver has to do is to connect the plugs. The driver can also control the time at which charging takes place via the infotainment system or using the We Connect app on a smartphone, in order to benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity.

Summary

There's lots to like here, the classy Golf vibe mixed with an uber-dose of sense and sensibility, creating the kind of compelling combination you'll rarely find in a family car. You do without the sporty look and feel of a Golf GTE, but many owners will happily forgo that for this variant's significant price saving. As with a GTE, everything here's so straightforward - so normal. Just leave the thing in its 'Hybrid Auto' setting and you'll get diesel-like fuel economy with a real surging turn of pace when you need it. Even if you never once plugged this car in, you'd probably be perfectly happy with what you had. So no, you don't have to press buttons and select menu options to enjoy and benefit from Golf eHybrid motoring. But devoted owners will want to do that. These people will see ownership as being all about mastering and getting the most from the Plug-in hybrid concept. For them, there'll be nothing normal about what this Volkswagen can do. They'll talk of its silent all-electric operation. Or running costs that decimate their annual tax payments and see a potential three-figure range achievable from every gallon. Or maybe the way in which when used for short journeys, it can make fuel station visits a thing of the past. It's all deceptively unique - and rather futuristic. In a car very much for today.

  • Start/Stop function
  • Premium USB cable in choice of either Apple or Android smartphone compatibility
  • Body colour bumpers
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour rear roof spoiler
  • eHybrid badge on rear tailgate
  • Illuminated front grille
  • Rear side wing doors
  • 12V socket in front centre console
  • 12V socket in luggage compartment
  • Art Velour cloth upholstery with leatherette armrests, artvelours door inserts + front sports comfort seats with Microfibre sides of bolsters
  • Front centre armrest with storage compartment
  • Front cupholders x 2
  • Glovebox
  • Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
  • Plastic gear knob
  • Removable luggage compartment cover
  • Soul black instrument panel
  • Storm grey roof lining in recycled material
  • Woven fabric storage compartments in front and rear doors
  • 3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • 3 rear three point seatbelts
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Drivers and front passengers safety optimised head restraints
  • Exit warning
  • Extended pedestrian protection measures
  • Front centre airbag
  • Front side airbags with curtain airbags
  • Two tone horn
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Alarm with interior protection and deactivation via infotainment system
  • Electronic engine immobiliser
  • Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 13
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 300
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 220
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 3.6
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N
  • Battery Leased: False
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Charging Port Location: Left Side Front
  • Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2
  • Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 3.6
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8
  • Usable Battery Capacity: 10.4
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 14
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 4.4
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 69
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 43
  • CO2 (g/km): 28
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Particles: N
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 21
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 26
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 21
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • CC: 1395
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Engine Code: CD14SY
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION
  • Gears: 6 SPEED
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • EC Combined (mpg): N
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • EC Extra Urban (mpg): N
  • EC Urban (mpg): N
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb: 5.7
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb: 49.6
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 0.9
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1.2
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 0.9
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 313.9
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 235.4
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 313.9
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: True
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.4
  • Badge Power: 204
  • Based On ID: N
  • Coin Description: TSI
  • Coin Series: Style
  • Generation Mark: 8
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 24E
  • Man Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 88
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 74
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: 82
  • Safety Concerns: False
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12
  • Service Interval Mileage: 9300
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.4
  • Engine Power - BHP: 204
  • Engine Power - KW: 150
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 184
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 25.5
  • Engine Torque - NM: 250
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1550
  • Top Speed: 137
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
  • Alloys: True
  • Space Saver: False
  • Tyre Size Front: 205/55 R16
  • Tyre Size Rear: 205/55 R16
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: SAN ANTONIO
  • Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY
  • Height: 1474
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 4284
  • Wheelbase: 2629
  • Width: 1789
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2020
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 273
  • Max. Loading Weight: 503
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1517
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.1