This is how a Volkswagen must be – Diepresse.com
The Golf Ehybrid is a car that VW expected: valuable, quality, technically perfect. So the first electric cars should have been.
The VW brand is worse in public perception than you can prove with current figures. The profit dropped significantly in the first quarter of this year, but this has primarily to do with the diesel emissions scandal with the necessary provisions in connection with CO₂ regulation in Europe (VW apparently expects penalty payments).
In any case, VW started the new year with sales. In the first quarter of 2025, the manufacturer delivered 1.1 million cars worldwide – an increase of 5.1 percent compared to the previous year. After our test of the new Golf Rabbit Ehybrid, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), you can honestly say: This is no surprise.
In order to write the conclusion in the third paragraph: With this car, VW proves what you can do. Here the group did everything right. The interior may consist of a lot of hard plastic, but that is good and nicely processed. The chassis is comfortable, albeit a little hard (which probably also has to do with the additional weight of the electric drive of 300 kilograms). The seats are comfortable, the driving experience is pleasant overall. And the software, formerly a weak point, also works perfectly.
« /> A large screen in the interior – and the software works without any problems, which you couldn’t always say at VW. Clemens Fabry
In addition, there is the technology: a plug-in hybrid drive that works so well, seamlessly and sparingly that you like to charge the car regularly. Because it is fun to drive this golf electrically. And not 50, 60 or 100 kilometers. No, in our test we came with the 19.7 kWh battery (net) purely electrically 134 kilometers. This is about as much as the average Austrian driver drives over three days.
This Golf is a rock solid, unexcited car and a prime example of everything VW made great and brought to the top of the European auto industry. One wonders again why the manufacturer worked so badly at its first electric car, the ID.3.
In the meantime, you have caught up, with which ID.7 even clearly presented, you have improved, listened to criticism and lead the hit lists at e-car sales in Europe. But you could have had that earlier.
Economical consumption
Technically, our test impressed how well combustion and electric motor work together. In the city you drive again and again electrically with an empty battery because it is recuperated when braking. The change between electrical and petrol drive is not noticeable. The 1.5-liter petrol engine greets superiority with more stress in the driver’s space. The 204 system-horsepower is only dosed in anyway because this Golf is not a GTI and also does not encourage sporty driving. In our test with many city trips, we were rewarded with a consumption of 2.6 liters-with regular charging on the eleven kW plug (2:30 hours). Without electrolition, consumption was 5.4 liters.
No long versions of the software, which was also a reason that VW came into such difficulties: everything works as it should work. The on -board system is even quite intuitive.
« /> A large screen in the interior – and the software on it works without any problems, which you couldn’t always say at VW. Clemens Fabry
All of this has its price. The Golf Ehybrid with petrol and plug-in hybrid drive usually costs in Austria from 40,390 euros. The Golf we tested is the popular special model Rabbit, since 1978 in the world, which has developed into the most successful special model in the Volkswagen world.
It is based on the Life equipment line, but also offers a keyless locking and starting system, a theft warning system, reversing camera, darkened side windows and rear window, 17-inch alloy wheels and metallic painting. Price: from 37,990 euros. This is not a bargain, but you can currently get that with different actions.
VW Golf Rabbit Ehybrid
Mass: L/B/H: 4289/1789/1478 mm, wheelbase: 2630 mm, empty weight: 1652 kg, trunk: 273–1129 l.
Motorization: 1.5-liter four-cylinder anthomotor, max. System performance: 204 PS, system torque: 350 Nm, battery: 19.7 kWh (net), Vmax: 220 km/h, 0–100 km/h: 7.2 liters, test consumption:
2.6 liters/100 kilometers.
Price: from 37,990 euros.
