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VolkswagenGolf GTE (2021-)

Medium
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Available new

£38,349Typical price

Test score

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Volkswagen’s eighth-generation Golf 8 range includes the Golf GTE – the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of VW’s popular five-door hatchback. Launched in 2020, the GTE offers GTI levels of performance with the prospect of low running costs. But how does it compare with plug-in hybrid rivals? Find out in our full Volkswagen Golf GTE review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable are Volkswagen's plug-in hybrid cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Dec 2024Last checked by Which?
Aug 2021First reviewed by Which?
Sept 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£38,349 - £38,349
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	73.4mpg
Length	4,287mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,789mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,080mm
Height	1,484mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.9 m
On sale date	24 September 2020
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£18.37

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	GTE DSG
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1.4-litre (245hp)
Transmission	6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	40 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	18.37p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£54
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	91
Tested electric-only range (miles)
Official fuel economy: WLTP	235.4
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	01 March 2021
Test programme	2017

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