Volkswagen Golf eHybrid with 143 km of range: do we really need an EV?

With 143 km of electric range, the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid makes us wonder whether an EV is really necessary.

---

The Volkswagen Golf MK8 has recently received a very welcome update - this generation has, after all, been with us since 2020. As expected, it brings refreshed styling, a stronger technology package and a few further changes here and there that only the keenest observers will spot.

Volkswagen has gone a little further too - or, in fact, considerably further. The real developments lie beneath the bonnet of this Volkswagen Golf 1.5 eHybrid PHEV.

Most notably, the 1.5 eTSI engine is now paired with a new battery pack that is almost twice the size of that in the previous Golf PHEV: up from 13 kWh to 25.7 kWh. Naturally, its range has almost doubled as well.

The familiar Golf

As you would expect, it is difficult to distinguish this Volkswagen Golf MY2026 from the outgoing version at a glance, as the exterior revisions are extremely subtle. Owners with a Golf on the drive will appreciate that, as it should help residual values remain strong on the used-car market.

In truth, the changes are few. The bumpers have been reshaped and the headlights are slimmer; optionally, they can be joined by an LED light strip, while the brand logo can also be illuminated - provided you are willing to spend a little extra.

Our test car did not feature either of those styling additions.

There are new wheel designs, and the Life version tested here wears 17-inch alloys. They are not especially attractive, but they strike a very good balance between comfort and handling.

Inside, the updates are even subtler, although arguably more significant. The central display has grown to 12.9 inches, while its revised graphics make it marginally easier and more intuitive to use. Digital instrumentation is also fitted across every trim level. And, yes, physical buttons are making a return to the Golf interior.

It is only a modest comeback, but it is noticeable: the steering wheel has lost the haptic controls fitted to some versions of this generation of Golf. It may not sound important, but it makes a considerable difference, particularly while driving.

Those haptic controls responded not only to pressure but also to touch, making them especially awkward to operate. One accidental brush was enough to activate a function unintentionally.

Otherwise, “if it isn't broken, don't fix it”. In other words, material quality remains high, the cabin is spacious and the assembly feels very solid, with no unwanted noises.

The main criticism concerns boot capacity, which is limited to 273 litres - 108 litres less than in combustion-only Golf models. That reduction is due to the eHybrid's battery being housed beneath the boot floor. It is the trade-off for such substantial electrification.

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid feels like an electric car

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid's crowning feature sits beneath the bonnet. The old 1.4 TSI has “left the stage” to make way for the current 1.5 TSI - the same engine used by the petrol-only versions, but incorporated into a plug-in hybrid system.

If you charge it regularly, you will barely notice the petrol engine. The battery capacity has doubled to 25.7 kWh, virtually doubling electric-only range from a respectable 72 km to a substantial 143 km. To put the size of this battery into perspective, the first-generation Nissan Leaf had a smaller one.

With figures like these, do we really need an electric car? For company buyers, the answer is nearly always the same for tax reasons, but for private buyers the question is even more relevant.

This Golf 1.5 eHybrid PHEV is an excellent alternative because it combines the pleasant driving experience of an EV with the reassurance of making long journeys without relying on public charging.

Given that most people cover an average of 30 kilometres a day, it could mean needing to charge only at weekends.

Typically German

It also displays the qualities associated with other German cars, including high levels of stability and predictability on the road. In the Golf's case, it can even be entertaining when driven harder, helped considerably by the system's combined output of 204 cv and 350 Nm of torque.

Those figures do not harm efficiency, either. I never recorded more than 3.0 l/100 km in mixed use, covering both urban driving and motorway miles, with much of the route completed after the battery assistance had already run out. More than 350 km were covered in total.

In any case, the system prioritises electric driving whenever possible and is consistently very efficient. Naturally, when the battery has no charge, consumption will be higher and can exceed 5.8 litres on the open road - though these figures remain competitive.

It is complemented by light controls that enhance the car's agility and overall comfort. Steering is direct and accurate, while the suspension copes very well with this version's more than 1.6 tonnes without ever becoming harsh.

Competitive price, but…

The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid Life, like the test car, is the most affordable model in the range with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, with prices starting at €41,752. This is the list price, although it is worth keeping an eye on special offers.

Its standard-equipment list is comprehensive enough, though it does not include any luxuries. It covers 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a 12.9-inch central screen, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and full-LED headlights.

Before working out the final costs, consider whether you will buy your Golf privately or through a company. Alongside any available offers, that could be the calculation that makes the difference.

Technical specifications