HEELS ON WHEELS: 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf Review +VIDEO

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE GOLF VEHICLE

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf

The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is many things; some that shouldn’t come to a surprise like its hatchback stylishness and performance; but you might be surprised to discover this all-electric urban vehicle features a range of 119 miles-per-gallon-equivalent combined before your next charge and offers a faster charge time with an available 7.2 kW charger.

I test drove a 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf with the upgraded 35.8 kW-hour lithium-ion battery and an upgraded electric motor for a total horsepower output of 134. Available in two trims – the base SE and SEL Premium – standard features on my SEL Premium included: V-Tex leatherette upholstery; leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated and powered front seats; rear folding seats; 7.2 KW onboard charger with Combined Charging System and DC fast charging; rearview camera; park distance control; VW Car-Net services (smartphone integration, navigation, emergency assistance); Discover Media 8-inch touchscreen; 8-speaker audio system; Bluetooth; LED head and tail lights; e-Gold bumpers, front grille and exterior trim; and 16-inch alloy wheels. Total price as described comes to $36,995.

In terms of sporty electric hatches, competition includes the Chevrolet Bolt and Toyota Mirai. Although not electric, the all-new hybrid Hyundai Ioniq is an interesting one to check out along with the sporty yet gas-powered Mazda3, Ford Focus, and Subaru Impreza.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: The interior features a mature and spacious feel supported by a substantial list of technology features and VW’s leatherette material that lends a glossy look. Graphics have improved tremendously and remain intuitive to use, and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster keeps vital information close to the eye. Power seating aids in comfort but it would be nice to have additional settings. Outside, a few visual ques help the e-Golf stand out from its siblings, such as blue exterior lighting, EV badging and very snazzy 16-inch alloy wheel designs. Passenger space is not cramped and the rear area has grown to 52.7 cubic-feet of cargo space. Kid seats snap in quickly, and small children can buckle themselves in with little struggle.

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf

Reliability & Safety Factor: The 2017 Volkswagen Golf is rated as a “Top Safety Pick” by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with scores of “Good” in all crash-test areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it 5-Stars. Standard safety equipment includes Intelligent Crash Response System, Automatic Post-Collison Braking System, front and rear disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and anti-slip regulation. A suite of safety technology is available as an option.

Cost Issues: The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf SE is $30,495 and the SEL Premium is $36,995. With the optional $1,395 safety technology (Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, Rear Traffic Alert) the price neared $40k. The Chevrolet Bolt starts at $37,495 and when loaded reaches $42,720. Keep in mind electric car purchases add potential federal tax credits of around $7,500 which will help lower these prices. The Hyundai Ioniq hybrid starts at $22,200 for the base with a recent Limited test drive (with options) reaching $30k.

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf

Activity & Performance Ability: The e-Golf features the snappy road traits you know and love about a VW, offering a comfortable and smooth ride but one that knows how to be punchy and quick. In general I have minor complaints (just remember when pulling the charging cord out of the car, you must hit the unlock button on the key fob – it took me some time to figure that one out). Steering radius is generous of course, and you’ll love the dimensions in big cities and tight parking areas. The big decision is whether or not you could handle the lifestyle change that often accompanies an all-electric car – the term for being concerned about how much charge you have left on the motor has been dubbed ‘range anxiety’ and I can attest it makes you think differently about going about your day: Will there be a car charger? Can I go to the grocery store right now? Can I get home?

The Green Concern: The 2017 e-Golf features 126-city and 111-highway for a combined 119 miles-per-gallon-equivalent. The Chevrolet Bolt exceeds this with an EPA-estimated 238 miles-per-gallon- equivalent – that’s a real game-changer when you realize you could forget to plug in and still be okay.

FINAL PARTING WORDS

The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf offers all the personality and performance expected from this iconic German hatchback with the surprising benefit of being all-electric. However, the Chevrolet Bolt can go much farther on a full charge and be prepared to change your driving lifestyle when going all-electric.