Volkswagen Golf GTE Review and Prices

Times they are a changing, and so this is the new Volkswagen Golf GTE, which is sort of a Golf GTI but with plug-in hybrid technology and a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The Golf GTE stands out from the norm with honeycomb-design foglights in the front bumper, plus a 17-inch version of the 18in alloy wheel that also features on the Golf GTI. It also has LED matrix headlights as standard.

The GTE swaps out the GTI’s red trim for some eco-friendly blue bits, and hides its exhaust pipes behind the rear bumper.

That blue theme continues inside the Golf GTE, where you get blue tartan seats, blue details but what’s the same as the GTI is the minimalist look and classy feel of the cabin. You get an 8-inch infotainment system and a 10-inch digital driver’s display are both standard but you can pay extra to get a pair of 10-inch screens instead.

It also comes with a tri-zone climate control system, keyless entry and start, and LED dynamics rear lights. The folding door mirrors are also heated and electrically adjustable.

The GolfGTE aims to combine the cheap running costs of the electric car with the thrills of a hot-hatch. Tough task to do well. We shall see

Unlike the regular petrol GTI, you can drive the Golf GTE for around 37 miles and cruise at up to 80mph on electric power only.

The 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and 116hp electric motor work together to produce 245hp, too, so it’s just as punchy as the GTI. The onboard computer even uses sat-nav data to choose when to switch between the engine and the motor to help save charge for when you’re driving in town. Clever.

Top speed is 140 mph, and the car will pass 62mph just 6.7 seconds after setting off. Official figures suggest the GTE will do an average of 176.6mpg and has CO2 emissions of 36 g/km. To get anywhere near those figures you will need to be able to regularly charge up your car.

You can get the VW Golf GTE with an optional driver-assistance pack called IQ.DRIVE. This beefs-up the standard Golf’s adaptive cruise control so it can accelerate, brake and steer for you at up to 130mph. This might be a God-send if you spend hours cruising up and down the autobahn, but in the UK the normal adaptive cruise control will probably do you just fine.

The 245hp hybrid VW Golf GTE is available to order, priced from £35,960. As soon as we’ve been behind the wheel we’ll let you know how it drives. Meantime, check out the latest Volkswagen Golf deals.

Tap below to watch the top 10 things you need to know about the Mark 8 Volkswagen Golf GTI.