VW e-Golf is the winner in the compact class

Used car check
VW e-Golf is the winner in the compact class

Buying an electric car second or third hand? Many people interested in used cars are unsure. At least you don't have to worry about the quality of the VW e-Golf – it rocks the compact class.

Anyone looking for a used electric car in the compact class will sooner or later end up with the VW e-Golf. The Stromer was on offer between 2014 and the end of 2020.

Quality

In the TÜV general inspections (HU), the Wolfsburg Stromer performs very well and significantly better than many combustion engine models. In the current TÜV report it is the winner in the compact class. The e-Golf masters almost all test criteria without any complaints. However, the function of the foot brake weakens from the first HU. From the second onwards, those interested in used cars should check axle springs and dampers; they are slightly worse than the class average.

Body and interior

The e-Golf is a derivative of the Golf VII and is 4.27 meters long. The visual differences to the combustion engine versions are small. The most striking distinguishing features are the Stromer's c-shaped daytime running lights and a blue trim strip in the radiator grille.

Inside, the e-version is unmistakably a Golf, right down to the electro-typical instrument display, with good seats, plenty of space, good workmanship and well-thought-out ergonomics. You have to make slight compromises in the trunk volume. Instead of 380 to 1,270 liters, the e-Golf, which is only available as a five-door model, has 340 to 1,230 liters available. The facelift models (mid-2017) are notable, among other things, for their modified bumpers and LED rear lights.

Engines and drive

With the e-Golf there was no choice of motors or battery sizes. At market launch, the electric motor had an output of 85 kW/115 hp. A 24.2 kWh battery was good for a range of up to 190 kilometers according to the NEDC standard. As part of the facelift, the output of the electric motor increased to 100 kW/136 hp. The battery has since had a capacity of 35.8 kWh, so that the standard range according to WLTP has increased to 230 kilometers. With an average consumption of just under 13 kWh, the Golf electric car is comparatively economical. The Vmax is limited to 140 km/h.

Those interested in using a used car should have the battery of their desired model checked; it should still have 70 percent of its original charging capacity. This means that between 100 and 150 kilometers are possible in everyday life, values ​​that are quite acceptable for short-distance drivers. The e-Golf can also dock at a fast charging station, with a maximum charging power of 40 kW.

Equipment and security

The e-Golf models were better equipped from the factory than the basic combustion engines. Automatic air conditioning, windscreen heating, aluminum, navigation system and automatic climate control were, among other things, standard. A heat pump was not part of the standard package; first-time buyers had to add it. It was standard for the class to be equipped with assistants; here too you could spend more and, for example, order a crosswind or blind spot assistant.

Conclusion

The VW e-Golf is a solid vehicle, but interested parties should not be put off by the range, which is manageable by modern standards. However, if you are looking for an electric second car for short journeys, you are in good hands with the e-Golf. According to mobile.de's evaluation, almost 800 used e-Golfs are currently offered for sale on this platform. It starts at around 9,000 euros.