For drivers considering the leap to electric vehicles, the Volkswagen E-golf presents an intriguing option. As someone deeply familiar with the joys of driving a Mark 6 GTI, I approached a week-long test drive of the e-Golf with a healthy dose of skepticism. My GTI, a 200-horsepower turbocharged hatchback, has been my benchmark for affordable sporty practicality for years, excelling on everything from spirited canyon drives to daily commutes and even hauling gear. The question was: could the electric Volkswagen e-Golf sway me?
My test vehicle was an e-Golf SEL Premium with a sticker price nearing $40,000. Stepping inside, the familiarity was immediately apparent. The seating position, dashboard layout, and flat-bottomed leather steering wheel echoed my GTI. Subtle blue trim hints at its electric powertrain, and the less sporty wheels are a visual cue, but otherwise, the e-Golf blends seamlessly into the Golf family. After spending a week and 260 miles behind the wheel of this electric Golf, here are my surprising discoveries and disappointments.
Take #1: The Everyday Appeal of the Volkswagen e-Golf
Having a 240V charger at home for our Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, charging the Volkswagen e-Golf was straightforward. Overnight, the 38.5 kWh battery reached full capacity, and the car’s display indicated a 131-mile range, slightly exceeding Volkswagen’s official 125-mile estimate.
For the next few days, the e-Golf impressed me, particularly in suburban driving. I focused on maximizing range, utilizing the most aggressive regenerative braking mode (‘B’ setting) and Eco+ Mode. Eco+ Mode dials back heating and A/C, softens acceleration, and limits the top speed to 56 mph. After roughly 100 miles of range-conscious driving, I saw the estimated range climb to an impressive 175 miles.
Beyond range optimization, the e-Golf retained that classic Volkswagen chassis feel – solid and well-composed. This is notable considering the 701-lbs battery pack beneath the seats, bringing the e-Golf’s curb weight to 3,459 pounds, a mere 260 pounds heavier than my GTI with a full tank of gasoline.
However, driving an EV inevitably shifts your mindset toward range management. The urge to push the car to its limits, as I often do with my GTI, was absent. Another important factor to consider was the weather during this initial test: mild temperatures, never dipping below freezing overnight and reaching comfortable 60s during the day – ideal conditions for electric vehicle efficiency.
Take #2: Winter Range Challenges for the e-Golf
Despite the earlier range success, a longer trip in colder weather presented a different picture for the Volkswagen e-Golf. Even with a displayed 100+ mile range after a full charge, I topped it off again before a longer drive to my child’s volleyball practice – a 45-mile journey involving significant elevation gain (over 2,000 feet, reaching 7,700 feet) and navigating 20 miles of freeway construction during rush hour. Adding to the challenge, temperatures plummeted to 28 degrees with freezing drizzle and rain.
Upon departure, the e-Golf indicated a 145-mile range. However, after a grueling hour and 45 minutes in stop-and-go traffic (due to multiple accidents), the remaining range plummeted to just 60 miles. This dramatic range reduction was attributable to heavy traffic, intermittent heater and defroster use (activating the defroster alone seemed to erase 20 miles of range instantly), and continuous windshield wiper operation.
Following practice, the interstate was closed, forcing a 50-mile detour on a snowy two-lane road. With only 60 miles of indicated range remaining and snow falling, range anxiety became a real concern. To conserve energy, my child bundled up, and we relied on heated seats while cracking the windows to minimize defroster use. It was a decidedly uncomfortable drive. The mostly downhill return journey did recoup about 10 miles of range, and we arrived home with a mere 20 miles to spare. This experience highlighted the significant impact of cold weather and demanding driving conditions on the e-Golf’s real-world range.
Take #3: e-Golf vs. GTI: Performance and Driving Dynamics
- e-Golf Advantages Over GTI:
One immediate advantage of the e-Golf is the absence of turbo lag. In “Normal” mode, the electric motor delivers instant torque, a sensation noticeably different from the GTI’s turbocharged engine. While the GTI ultimately surpasses the e-Golf in outright acceleration once the turbocharger spools up, the e-Golf’s readily available 214-lb. ft of torque is addictive, even exceeding my GTI’s torque figure. After the challenging winter range test, I recharged the e-Golf and simply enjoyed driving it in “Normal” mode with the heater on as needed. This more relaxed driving style resulted in a more realistic range estimate in the 130-mile range, closer to VW’s official figures.
- Enhancing e-Golf Driving Fun:
Several key upgrades could elevate the e-Golf’s driving experience closer to GTI levels:
* **Improved Wheels and Tires:** Upgrading to performance tires and wheels, while potentially reducing range by approximately 10% (as noted by a [Reddit user](https://www.reddit.com/r/electricvehicles/comments/4u08f0/what_happens_when_you_replace_egolf_energy_saving/) who fitted GTI wheels to their e-Golf), would significantly sharpen steering feel and handling.
* **GTI Front Seats:** Returning to my GTI after a week in the e-Golf underscored the importance of the GTI's aggressively bolstered seats to its overall sporty feel. Swapping these into the e-Golf would enhance driver engagement, especially during spirited cornering.
* **Extended Range Battery:** A battery pack offering a minimum 200-mile real-world range would alleviate range anxiety and broaden the e-Golf's usability.While the Volkswagen e-Golf demonstrated its capability to complete challenging EV tests like the Loveland Trials (though perhaps with some assistance), it’s clear there’s room for improvement in range and sporty driving feel.
e-Golf or GTI: The Verdict
For everyday driving within a limited radius (around 35 miles), the Volkswagen e-Golf is a compelling electric vehicle. However, for longer trips, especially in challenging climates, mountainous terrain, or heavy traffic, the e-Golf can induce range anxiety. This was certainly my experience. Given my regular need to drive distances exceeding this range, the e-Golf, in its current iteration, doesn’t quite meet my personal practicality requirements.
Volkswagen, thank you for the e-Golf experience. For now, however, I’ll be sticking with my GTI.
