Volkswagen Golf GTE Review 2024

Like the regular Volkswagen Golf on which the GTE is based, it does many things well. This means that the Volkswagen Golf GTE suits those who want a more eco-friendly hot hatchback, or drivers looking to keep costs down when it comes to the company car tax bill.

The Volkswagen Golf GTE is not perfect, with the infotainment system a notable nuisance on first use. Familiarity will make it easier to operate, but there is still the feeling it could be more user-friendly.

It is easy to recommend the rest of the Volkswagen Golf GTE, though, thanks to its strong performance and generous level of standard equipment. Yes, a Volkswagen Golf GTI will be a little more engaging on the right road, but a Golf GTI cannot travel 40 miles on electric power alone.

The Volkswagen Golf GTE has a number of immediate close relatives from within the Volkswagen Group, such as the Skoda Octavia vRS iV and Cupra Leon eHybrid, along with the Audi A3 45 TFSI e.

All of these models bring the same 245PS plug-in hybrid powertrain to the party, but each adds their own unique take on proceedings. The Skoda has more cabin space, the Cupra a sportier image and the Audi a premium interior design.

The petrol-powered Volkswagen Golf GTI is the obvious option for a hot hatchback without a plug-in hybrid engine, and the diesel-powered Golf GTD can deliver long-range cruising efficiency.

Stepping outside the Volkswagen Group opens the door to alternatives such as the Mercedes-Benz A250e, which also uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Volkswagen used to be the benchmark for interior quality, but the rest of the automotive world has spent time playing catch-up. There has clearly been an element of cost-cutting by Volkswagen, too, which means some materials won’t match with the £40,000 price tag.

As such, the Golf GTE is more mid-pack than class leader on perceived quality, and on a par with rivals like the Skoda Octavia vRS and Cupra Leon. There is no denying the Golf GTE is more upmarket than mainstream models such as the Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra, but an Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz A-Class feels a touch more premium.

That is not to say the Volkswagen Golf GTE seems cheap inside. Features such as LED ambient lighting help lift the overall cabin experience, and the doors still close with reassuring solidity. Blue tartan upholstery, a play on the red trim found in the Golf GTI, is another interior highlight.

One of the most noticeable aspects of the Volkswagen Golf GTE’s cabin is the near-complete absence of buttons and switches. Instead, Volkswagen has focussed on almost every function being controlled by the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, with only a handful of shortcut buttons on the actual dashboard.

For anyone used to traditional dials and switches, the Golf GTE’s interior may be an initial shock, and take some adjusting to. Familiarity will make it easier to live with, but there is a feeling that adding just a few more buttons would have produced an infotainment system that was seamless to operate. Updates to the operating system itself have made it better, but there are still lots of menus to navigate.

The Volkswagen Golf GTE uses a version of the steering wheel found in the Golf GTI, albeit with blue stitching for the leather instead of red. This also means it inherits the GTI’s haptic feedback buttons, which operate with touch-sensitivity. Again, these will take some getting used to, but they are a necessity to use the cruise control and adjust the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel.

Standard infotainment features include DAB radio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth and wireless smartphone charging. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are included, too, should you wish to sidestep Volkswagen’s own infotainment.

Being based upon the regular Volkswagen Golf – arguably the archetypal family hatchback – the GTE delivers exactly the same amount of space for passengers.

As a result, nobody should feel uncomfortable in the front of the Golf GTE, thanks in part to the standard sports seats. These offer plenty of adjustability, with figure-hugging bolsters to hold you in place. Combined with a steering wheel that is adjustable for both reach and rake, there should be no complaints from the driver. Overall room up-front is generous, with useful storage cubbies and large door pockets.

Space in the back is a little tighter, especially compared to close rivals like the Skoda Octavia vRS iV or Cupra Leon eHybrid. Legroom is still reasonable, and there is a lot of headroom, but the rear seats are best suited to just two adults – and only three adults for occasional use.

The only real downside when it comes to the Golf GTE is boot space. A petrol-powered Volkswagen Golf GTI can accommodate up to 374 litres of luggage in the boot, but the Golf GTE needs space to store its lithium-ion battery pack.

As a result, the capacity is 273 litres with the rear seats up, which is still usable for a family hatchback. However, the Skoda Octavia vRS iV and Cupra Leon eHybrid are more generous.

There is just one engine and gearbox combination available for the Volkswagen Golf GTE, meaning there are no options to worry about in this area.

All versions combine a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. When working together, the result is a total of 245PS, along with a substantial 400Nm of torque. A Volkswagen Golf GTI has the same 245PS output from its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, but the GTE’s delivery is very different, thanks to its electric motor.

The instant torque from this motor makes the Golf GTE feel quick to react, and helps deliver a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. This is a little down on the Golf GTI, but quicker than the diesel Golf GTD. A quick-shifting six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is the only gearbox available, and aids straight-line performance.

All of the Golf GTE’s power goes to the front wheels, which can see the traction control light flashing if you get carried away when exiting a junction.

Just like the regular Volkswagen Golf, the GTE manages to deliver the upmarket level of refinement that you expect. Road and wind noise are well managed, especially on the motorway, adding to the long-distance cruising ability of the Golf GTE.

Noise from the 1.4-litre petrol engine is unobtrusive, without any elaborate pops and crackles from the exhaust system, despite the car’s hot hatch image. The combined torque of the plug-in hybrid drivetrain makes for an unflustered driving experience.

Naturally, when driving in electric-only mode, the Golf GTE is very quiet indeed. The Golf GTE also handles switching between petrol and battery power effectively, unlike some plug-in hybrid competitors.

When the regular Volkswagen Golf was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2019, it received a maximum five-star safety rating. It scored an impressive 95% for adult occupants and 89% for children. This means the Golf GTE should be just as safe, especially with all its standard safety technology.

Adaptive cruise control is included, and comes with a speed limiter function and the ability to spot potential front-on collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

Other features include lane-keeping assist, dynamic road sign display and parking sensors both front and rear. There is even Volkswagen’s Car2X wireless communication system, which can relay information from other vehicles to warn of impending hazards ahead.

You also get numerous airbags and Isofix child seat attachment points on the two outer rear seats, plus on the front passenger seat.

Volkswagen typically has a strong reputation for reliability, but the results of the latest Honest John Satisfaction Survey show more of a mixed bag. Older models dragged the marque’s score down, but later cars performed better.

The Volkswagen Golf GTE does come with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first) as standard. This is fairly typical of premium European marques, and should offer enough peace of mind for most owners.

Given the level of complexity and performance on offer, the Volkswagen Golf GTE will be more expensive to insure than a regular family hatchback. At the time of writing, the Golf GTE has been placed in insurance group 27, whereas the normal Volkswagen Golf range tops out at group 24.

The group 27 rating for the Golf GTE is still lower than the group 28 applied to the petrol Volkswagen Golf GTI, though. An equivalent Skoda Octavia vRS iV will be cheaper, however, with a group 25 insurance rating.

The key selling point for the Volkswagen Golf GTE is the low emissions achieved by its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. With an official CO2 output of just 27g/km, it qualifies for a VED (road tax) rate of zero in the first year.

From year two onwards, a new Golf GTE will have a VED rate of £170. Added to this will be an additional £390, due to the GTE now having a list price in excess of £40,000.

This means that, for years two to six of ownership, there will be £560 to pay annually.

The Volkswagen Golf GTE comes in just one trim level, but the German manufacturer has been particularly generous with the amount of equipment fitted as standard.

Being one of the Volkswagen Golf’s performance variants, the GTE builds upon the well-equipped Golf R-Line, and shares a number of features seen on the Golf GTI and diesel Golf GTD.

These include a performance bodykit, tailored for the Golf GTE with honeycomb detailing and blue trim used above the front grille and standard ‘IQ. Light’ adaptive LED headlights. There is also plenty of GTE badging and blue highlights, ensuring everyone knows you plumped for the plug-in hybrid.

LEDs are used for the tail lights, which come with dynamic indicator animation, while the LED front fog lights are in a honeycomb pattern. There is even an illuminated front grille.

The Golf GTE comes with 17-inch ‘Richmond’ alloy wheels as standard, with 18-inch ‘Bakersfield’ items on the options list. These add £650 to the new price of a Golf GTE, and also have the effect of increasing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Regardless of wheel size, all Golf GTEs come with sporty red-painted brake callipers.

Blue ‘Jacara’ tartan trim covers the sports seats found inside the Golf GTE, while there is also a leather-wrapped sports steering with blue stitching. A black headlining, GTE-branded gear selector and ‘black metal chrome’ trim are other sporty additions.

Three-zone climate control, keyless entry, ambient LED lighting and front and rear parking sensors are all fitted as standard. The 10.0-inch multimedia touchscreen is complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, with satellite navigation and DAB radio included.