Volkswagen Golf GTE (2015-2020) New And Used Car Review - Which?

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VolkswagenGolf GTE (2015-2020)

• Used only
• Medium
• Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

£8,647Typical priceCompare

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1. Auto Trader (buy or sell)
2. Carwow (buy or sell)
3. Motorway (sell only)

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On paper, the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, launched in 2015, looks pretty much like the perfect car. It's as quick as some Golf GTIs, is claimed to do 166mpg and emits 39g/km of CO2. But does the VW Golf GTE really live up to those claims? Is it a hot hatch that can save the planet - and your wallet? Read our full road test review to find out.

pros

cons

What's included?

• What is it?
• What's it great at?
• What's it like to drive?
• How reliable are Volkswagen 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?

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KEY TEST RESULTS

Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

• Dec 2025Last checked by Which?
• Feb 2015First reviewed by Which?
• Feb 2015Released

Test results

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

How we test cars

22 Jan 2026

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

Overall
Acceleration
Gearbox and transmission
Brakes

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

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.

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

Specifications

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£8,647 - £16,985
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	85.6mpg
Length	4,270mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,799mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,030mm
Height	1,472mm
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	01 February 2015
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£7.22

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	GTE DSG
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1.4-litre (204hp)
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 economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	7.22p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£54
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	76
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	02 April 2015
Test programme	2012-2016

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