Volkswagen e-Golf hatchback - Interior & comfort (2014-2020)
Well built and even quieter than the standard Golf
Aside from the different information presented on its dashboard, the e-Golf’s driving environment closely follows that of any other Volkswagen Golf, drivers of which will instantly feel at home behind the wheel.
With no noise from a petrol or diesel engine to contend with, the e-Golf is by far the quietest model in the range, but sadly not the most comfortable. Its special wheels and tyres, combined with suspension that’s been made stiffer to cope with a heavy battery pack, mean the e-Golf doesn’t ride quite as smoothly on uneven surfaces as the regular car.
Volkswagen e-Golf dashboard
The e-Golf received a range of upgrades in 2017, notable among which was the introduction of VW’s 12.3-inch Active Info Display – a driver-configurable colour screen that takes the place of the Golf’s conventional instrument cluster. In the e-Golf, it’s optimised to present information about battery range and statistics intended to help you to drive as efficiently as possible.
Other than contrasting blue stitching to the seat and interior fabrics, a control dial for the electric motor is all that sets the e-Golf apart from the rest of the range. Its dashboard remains one of the best in class and has a layout than most will find easy to master.
Equipment
Helping to justify the e-Golf’s steep price is the fact that it’s loaded with standard equipment. This includes climate control and keyless entry, automatic wipers, full LED headlights, LED rear lights and front and rear parking sensors. It also features Volkswagen’s Driving Assistant package, with active cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.
The centre console is dominated by Volkswagen’s latest infotainment system, the 9.2-inch Discover Pro, with a classy, glassy screen, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and sat nav. It also offers pinch-to-zoom gesture recognition, but we find it rather awkward to use when on the move, and would prefer to have more physically buttons to stab.
Options
Options include parking assistance (£150) that can reverse the car into a space, automatic dipping headlights (£150) and lane-keeping assistance (£700). The Golf is also available with three or five doors and Volkswagen offers extended warranties of four years (£200) or five years (£500).
