The Golf GTE PHEV is truly an oddity, as are all PHEVs, but the Golf GTE takes oddity to a whole new level. Here we have a car that ingeniously pairs a 1.5-litre TSI engine with a small, compact electric powertrain. With its 20 kWh battery pack, the Golf GTE boasts a claimed range of 89 miles. Car manufacturers incessantly remind us that many drivers cover no more than 50 miles per day. It’s like that old saying: if you repeat a lie often enough, it starts to sound plausible.
So, if you buy into VW’s hype and opt for the GTE, and you do indeed manage that mythical 50-mile daily commute, then why bother with a Plug-in Hybrid Golf? Why not go all-in and choose fully electric?
In the UK, the Golf GTE sells for £40K. But here’s the kicker: the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range offers 320 miles on a single charge, with significantly lower running costs, and also retails for £40,000.
It’s crystal clear: the Golf GTE serves no purpose whatsoever, especially when the Tesla Model 3 has rendered it obsolete. The Golf GTE? Avoid it like the plague. Don’t even entertain the thought of buying one.
