Volkswagen take plug-in seriously - 2025 Golf GTE Hybrid review UK

[@chasf3433]

The missing key info in this review is how well the GTE performs and what mpg it achieves when driving as a full hybrid once the battery is fairly depleted. This is what makes the new Prius PHEV such a good car.

[@roberttye5908]

If you want a plug in hybrid and want to keep the price under 40k you could go for the Style version which starts at 36k. Still a really nice car.

[@AutoSocialUK]

Completely agree!

[@sargfowler9603]

@@roberttye5908 or go for the Seat Leon ehybrid which is the same as the old Golf for £26k new. 30-40 mile range on electric, 204bhp with electric and engine.

[@markjohnathanappleton8642]

Iam not into cars but I do like this golf model,and this lady presenter is always excellent which ever vehicle she reviews, Keep up the good work

[@AutoSocialUK]

I appreciate that!

[@jonathoncross7472]

@@markjohnathanappleton8642 She can't even say it's name properly!

[@chriswithey3618]

Great review thanks. BIK is 5%, I have one on order through salary sacrifice

[@sargfowler9603]

Been waiting for a decent review of these and you've covered it perfectly. These are going to sell very well too and be in demand on the 2nd hand market in a few years time. Glad to see VW improving the existing GTE and giving it twice the range and no anxiety like an EV.

[@AutoSocialUK]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@RichardContreras-oi8wj]

What anxiety? The petrol engine takes over when the battery runs out of charge :)

[@sargfowler9603]

@@RichardContreras-oi8wj Exactly, no range anxiety 👍

[@TheoFennel]

I have a 2015 GTE and never worried about range. I've even driven when it's red and with a good amount of ev left so I know the ev will help me out

[@barnoslogik]

As a golf owner, (mk5 currently) i do like the look of the mk8.5 and the increased range of the PHEV makes alot more sense, but the boot space a little concerning, though probably still plenty enough for a weekend away. Now the only thing i would say is i would still prefer the golfs stable mate from cupra, the LEON which i think has a better overall look about it, so when they give that the 300ps treatment as opposed to the 245ps currently, i will have to give them both a good looking over along with the new terramar, though for some reason thats supposedly only 272ps and 70 mile electric range (but again that stilll a big improvement over the 35-40 currently available). oh and to answer the question calipers should be BLUE on the GTE, RED on the GTI, BLACK on the GTD, (which is what i have done with my GT-TDI)

[@sargfowler9603]

The boot is a bit smaller, but you can get cabin luggage in there no problem. The estate is there if you need more space 👍

[@barnoslogik]

​@@sargfowler9603 I'm looking for an upgrade to be able to take my e-bike without having to remove both wheels in the boot when I'm working away, if I can get away with only removing the front wheel with either the golf or Leon then that would be enough for me! Otherwise it's the estate option or maybe the terramar so I have the bike upright rather than on its side, so I don't have to ruin the outside with a bike rack!

[@Sherlock-py2hh]

Good review...... including the phrase "Low slooping bonnet". :)

[@P.J.B.769]

Great cars absolute bomb proof and always have been. Finally the electric range is getting more useful to those who commute. I wouldn't be a fan of the ice blue though. Good review as usual Tish.

[@higg2156]

couldn’t agree more with you on the seats..love them!

[@Hali88]

274L of boot space is less than some superminis, and the price being over £40k means it's going to cost an extra £2k in VED over 6 years.

[@AutoSocialUK]

Very fair points

[@MrDuncl]

Blame that on the road tax system. The Ford Kuga PHEV is also just over the limit Do your bit for the environment and pay a load of extra tax.

[@Wigwamwish]

Get an electric

[@ISuperTed]

Totally on the seats. I had a Mk2 GTi years ago and just loved the patterned seats. Currently drive an EV but seriously considering a Golf Hybrid next time. May have to go for the match version though due to the luxury car tax on cars above £40k from next year.

[@AutoSocialUK]

I’m pleased that it’s not just me that loves them! It’s a very rare that a car company sticks with some so iconic for so long. Whilst I understand some frustrations surrounding plug-in hybrids, I genuinely believe the plug-in hybrid goals could be run as an electric car for 95% of the time!

[@chris-townson]

A definite improvement. Impressive electric range too. I just wish they'd drop the tacky blue plastic bits here and there. The bits on the sides of the seats looks awful. Piano black down the central console is a bad idea - it'll collect dust, scratches and finger prints in no time. Looks nice in the showroom but that's it.

[@AutoSocialUK]

I don’t mind the blue bits too much nowadays as there is less than they used to be but I very much agree with you on gloss black. It should be removed completely.

[@jonathanprescott5292]

I have the mk8 gti and think they look alright in red, but agree, on this I’d rather just have black or grey like the gtd

[@AlanMacdonald-on6nd]

Another great review Tish, giving my age away in 1975 I bought a bright yellow Golf 1600 LS, thought I was the bees knees at 20 and a golf ,it went like stink well I thought so anyway cracking car but out of my price range now

[@pigletsdaddy3052]

Always quality videos. Thanks Tish

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the video review, One of my favourite Electric Hatchbacks 😊

[@AutoSocialUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@IvoIvanov-cc5pw]

It’s my favourite! Very good car! I just love it! Thanks for the video!

[@tomashley5869]

Great color car and review Tish. Blue, definitely. Cheers, Tom

[@CocoYazmin07]

I realllyy like the tech in this car, looks amazing too!

[@chryschrysostomou5392]

Every time Tish reviews a VW Group car, her presentation jumps a couple of levels. I'm pretty much determined to go for an ID Buzz, when it becomes available here in Cyprus. But, ever since Tish presented the new Tiguan with a promise of a PHEV, my attention has been somewhat turned.

[@AutoSocialUK]

It definitely helps that I’ve always driven Volkswagens and worked in Sayles for a few years, so I feel like I know the product inside out. If you keep an eye on the channel, there may be a new Volkswagen product coming. 👀

[@georgesbv1]

there is Skoda Kodiaq PHEV or Superb/Passat PHEV. Only 5 seats, though

[@monkey555500]

blue calipers not red

[@martynlaverick3405]

I thought the bik was lower as it could travel 80 miles plus on electric only?

[@AutoSocialUK]

Possibly even lower, I will see if I can find out. It was quite tricky to find the information online.

[@chriswithey3618]

5% bik for new GTE. I have one on order through salary sacrifice

[@martynlaverick3405]

@@chriswithey3618 didn’t know you could get this through salary sacrifice. Thanks very much👍

[@jimstevenson9903]

The Mk8.5 GTE is an amazing car (had mine 4 weeks), but there is one massive deal breaker (same for the new Tiguan and Passat unfortunately). Turns out VW have stripped these new PHEV model of in-car scheduling via the infotainment system. Basically, they now dont support charge schedules with a home charger i.e. to reap the benefits of off peak charging. What happens when you plug your car in prior to 0030 (0030 is when Octopus Go cheap tariff kicks in for me in the UK)?? The car has a meltdown, and discharges the 12v support battery rapidly - woken up to a dead car twice in the last 2 weeks. What is the workaround? Plug in your home charger at 0030 to ensure a safe, and successfull charge, or, use 3 pin with a suitable timer (Tough Leads is where i intend to source one). I literally wouldn't have bought the car if I'd known this functionality had been stripped on these newer models. Praying for a software update to add this vital functionality back into the range. Will await feedback from my local dealer before I engage with VW UK again about a resolution to this widespread constraint. Tbh, the number of recovered vehicles back to dealers over the coming months will no doubt give someone a kick up the rear to sort this out.

[@siblej1]

Those wheels don’t seem to be an option for the GTE..at least in the U.K.

[@robertd2363]

Nice car! Love the seats @ colour but the boot is a bit small?

[@didkobravo]

This is not just the best also literally the only positive review of the VW Golf 8.5 GTE out there.. I know because I've ordered one.. and while waiting for it.. have been looking all over and.. out of the few Golf 8.5 GTE reviews out there .. everyone is like.. it sucks.. buy a GTI or R instead.. or it's too expensive.. buy the cheaper eHybrid version.. are we really that sheep like following and repeating the same narrative and opinion over and over again.. can't we accept there may be different use cases.. If you happen to want to have a compact not to wide, modern, luxurious without being unnecessarily posh or in your face car.. if you can charge at home and at the office and don't want to have range anxiety of an electric vehicle ..if you want a car that would be quiet sitting and moving through hours and hours of forever traffic and be able to fit through narrow streets.. effortlessly maneuver in and out of tight parking spaces and also be able to accelerate and give you a bit of fun.. yeah yeah.. not at the level of GTI or R, fine.. but why is it so impossible to believe that you may not want that or let's say don't have the time to do track days.. or go for twisty roads fun during the weekends.. or say you've got a motorcycle that you usually take to get that fun.. anyway.. my point was.. thank you Tish

[@kn0t2brite]

I've ordered one as my next company car, but unfortunately it only comes with horrible 17" alloy wheels.

[@thedarkerknight22]

I've ordered one too. It's so bizarre that you can't upgrade the wheels. Those 17s are awful

[@eponymous7910]

I've seen far worse on a golf. 17" is usually the sweet spot in terms of size too

[@neilt86]

I have had my GTE for 2 weeks now. Great to drive reason they giving 17’’ to avoid the £40k barrier

[@kn0t2brite]

@@neilt86 Yeah, cant wait to get mine, it was only ordered the start of the month. How long did you wait for it to arrive?

[@neilt86]

Only a month as the company i got the lease with had orders already built that was shipping in. Its great to drive and so comfortable. EV range is 71 not 82 as listed in real life 😊

[@BassMunn]

You've got your data muddled up between the current 1.4 PHEV and the upcoming 1.5 PHEV, the new version will fall into the 5% BIK bracket for 2024 and 6% for 2025, with CO2 levels in the single digits, but yes the new version has the 81 mile EV range.

[@stephenbagwell8275]

I prefer blue brake callipers & there’s blue inside it too

[@lesvassallo5760]

Worth a look To replace my 2018 330e That's if the car is available previously you couldn't get them.

[@ThePilotGear]

this is the car we should have gotten in Canada.

[@binaryblog]

Are there other brands with similar range?

[@kevinperree7764]

MG, BYD, Merc

[@edwinng2046]

Great Tish , plugin 81 miles would be considered 🎉

[@AutoSocialUK]

Many people I know could run in electric all week on 81 miles!

[@roberttye5908]

Personally I don't like hybrids would rather go fully electric than half way. Been driving my mum's Ford Puma and really don't like the hybrid system. My golf is a mild hybrid but you hardly notice it. Like the colour of this car. That's cool. Otherwise I like this car very much!

[@AutoSocialUK]

Thank you for sharing your opinion.

[@roberttye5908]

@@AutoSocialUK yeah only my opinion Tish. Hope that's ok. I just don't get full hybrids lol.

[@MrDuncl]

Save money on the purchase price. I saw a 24 reg Cupra Born with 1500 miles on it for just over half the price of this today.

[@sargfowler9603]

It's to avoid the issues with charging an EV. We run around locally in EV mode 95% of the time and do longer journeys without even thinking about running out of juice.

[@MrDuncl]

Will they do an estate version? I brought home a 6.5 ft tall shelf unit in my Golf 7.5 last weekend.

[@siraff4461]

Almost certainly and that will be the one to get for me.

[@jasonsmith4052]

Only problem is if you was buying this car on say a pcp as a private customer rather than a company car driver priced at just over £40,000 you then have to pay an extra £320 a year in car Tax for the 1st 5 years on top of the £190 so in total £510 a year in tax!😨

[@AutoSocialUK]

Yes it’s a real shame, disappointing as well because it’s not that far over the 40k mark.

[@bikeman123]

VW on the ball there then 😂

[@MrDuncl]

​@@bikeman123 The Ford Kuga PHEV has the same problem. What is worse is that the tax is based on RRP so even if you could negotiate a discount it wouldn't help. I pity the person who buys a four year old 100000 mile one of these then discovers what the road tax is. IMHO the manufacturers should try something creative like selling the car for £39999 then charging £3000 for the key code to enable the radio.

[@georgesbv1]

not sure how a Golf can get to 40k , it's the same price of an entry level Kodiaq with some options without any bonuses

[@craigtrigg4288]

well done on 54k subscribers tish loved every video that you make , love this vw review as well

[@JuicyJohnEV]

Perhaps some information on the infotainment would have been useful but a great video nonetheless

[@AutoSocialUK]

@@JuicyJohnEV it’s pretty much mimics the standard new golf 8.5, I go over the entertainment system in that video ☺️

[@chryschrysostomou5392]

I'm a little confused. 88 miles equals to 130 km. Which is correct?

[@999pez]

Yes I was confused by the reference to 88 miles being 100km. 100km is about 62 miles.

[@siraff4461]

100km is what VW says on their website and is probably quite realistic. 88 miles (81 for the GTE) is what the WLTP test says and is complete cloud cookoo land - but they have to print it as the official number even when VW themselves are acknowledging its not happening.

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

Could be my next car.

[@stevencampbell1150]

Hate to say this but 88 miles in the standard golf is 141km not 100.

[@jmcampbell]

Now just image this design as a fully EV. This exterior and interior design would be better looking than the ID 3 in my opinion.

[@siraff4461]

I agree but I think the battery height forces ther I.D. models to be that bit higher which is why they look the way they do. Strange because I've always thought a Renault Zoe looked better than the Clio yet VW seem to make the ev's look a bit bulbous compared to this.

[@paulbowler7602]

Have they fixed the leaks in the boot from the mk7 / mk8

[@laurentiutrifan8173]

Hi, Tish 💙

[@laurentiutrifan8173]

A car that I would buy any season. 👍 In metallic blue, of course ... 🙂

[@edc1569]

They've painted the callipers wrong, should be blue on the GTE.

[@wassap786]

The MK 8.5 eHybrid is 5% BIK not 12%

[@lastoneleft844]

What does this mean please?

[@nickykennedy7746]

I have the gte mk8. I’ve had it for 2yrs as a company car. Worst car I’ve owned ever! I hope they have sorted the new model out. Boot is tiny, touch screen and buttons are dangerous as you do need to take your eyes off the road to operate heater. No backlighting on heater and volume controls! Pull from a junction and 25% of the time you get just electric then nothing and nearly hit the steering wheel then a bang and all power. Sounds like gearbox about to explode! Constant moaning about not being in middle of road or relaxing on long journeys moaning about not touching the steering wheel. Every day a warning that something isn’t working like forward assist etc. get Alexa from vw shop free but can’t use if you haven’t purchased hands free! £40k car with no hands free! This car has pushed me away from VW for life. Should have got the RAV4.

[@tdusko]

I would never say it is just 273 L boot 🤷‍♂

[@georgesbv1]

@6:40 25 minute is under 1 hour, but 1 hour is very pessimistic

[@siraff4461]

Biggest annoyance for me is the lack of rear side airbags as standard even on a car higher up the range like this. Yes its only a few hundred quid to add them but thats a pretty low move when there are likely to be kids in the back. Does it still score its claimed NCAP figure without them? Looks like all the usual electronic nonsense to help people who can't put their phone down when driving is more important than keeping your kids safe...

[@markgillespie8842]

My golf r seats are comfy as buyt not the best looking. I like these seats.

[@alanwayte432]

No physical climate controls so no thanks, peak Golf was 7.5, great build quality and easy yo use screen

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

Needs a garage plug in point for daily charging . Otherwise it’s pointless. 😊

[@sargfowler9603]

Totally, most people will be having one installed before too long, but I realise 45% of the population can't install a home charger. Not sure what happens in that case.... Devalued houses?

[@felixarkang5414]

You dont need garage to have wallbox at home they all are waterproof so its issue to have it outside.

[@ISuperTed]

We don’t have a garage, charger is outside and fine. You almost don’t need anything other than a 3-Pin lug with these as the battery is small.

[@AutoSocialUK]

Yes, which ever way you look at it it’s a luxury car to own. However, it would also be possible if you had had a charge point at your work. Some people will buy these cars for the low tax rates and then never charge them which unfortunately is a waste..

[@sargfowler9603]

@@ISuperTed I used a granny charge for a while, but it loads the circuit and I didn’t want to leave out in the rain. You can get a proper charger installed for less than a grand.

[@roelolthof7179]

Is the engine coming in full power when it is very cold....That is not good for the engine. Ore is it warming up?. When not... In s is not good in his live...

[@kevinperree7764]

Don’t get it. Very low miles/kwh, over 40k if you add any extra worth having, meaning north of £500/yr tax (then they discount it well below 40k. Why not just list price it tax friendly FFS!!!) and the wheels/looks in the UK are horrendous! If your that desperate to get lots of miles on electric only, why not just buy a full EV and benefit from lower tax and service costs

[@royyoung3104]

VW commercial..although not a mention of road noise,suspension stiffness or even how it drives in town.

[@bikeman123]

5:18 235 mpg.. Why do you even repeat that nonsense?

[@AutoSocialUK]

It’s almost as if I said: ‘Although I’m really to a fan of these crazy figures.’ Straight after

[@MrDuncl]

Official U.K. Government figures which determine the taxation rate. Two fun facts: A Porsche Taycan is £0 road tax presumably due to the infinite MPG. Checking out the latest rates the 2.2L "Gas Guzzler" Vauxhall I bought in 2001 would be around £1500 for the first years road tax if sold today !

[@pubblivoro8555]

❣️❣️❣️

[@blackghost769]

❤❤❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@chrispenn715]

Can't see the point; all the complexity and service requirements of a petrol, plus all the EV stuff, high price and small boot. EVs have enough range now - why not just buy a Cupra or ID3/4?

[@gerrymac5865]

Don't think a VW golf that's more expensive than a Tesla model 3 will sell well. Just crazy 😂

[@MrDuncl]

If you want a cheap VW there is always the option of the ID3.

[@georgesbv1]

@@MrDuncl ID.3 is a Golf, not anywhere close to Tesla Model 3. Maybe ID.5 would be not that far behind.

[@999pez]

Plenty of people would take the Golf over a Model 3. I certainly would.

[@rob-in-the-marsh5311]

Why don't they make a non-plug-in hybrid?

[@AutoSocialUK]

@@rob-in-the-marsh5311 they do, it’s called the Golf… or the Golf GTi

[@rob-in-the-marsh5311]

@@AutoSocialUK The Golf GTi is automatic, but I can't find any reference to it being a non-plug-in hybrid. Can you help here?

[@kev_scheiba]

Blue 🩵

[@yangzao2218]

Unless thé site si ofaut

[@LiridonGashi-u4v]

❤p

[@TonyMontana-zl8pz]

81 miles what a joke

[@alanwayte432]

Are you simple for a Phev it’s absolutely perfect Range/weight trade off, reply when you finish your shift at McDonald’s numpty

[@caboodle5462]

36k for a base model hatchback. Absolutley bonkers.

[@stevenmoran4060]

What is the point of a plug in hybrid really? If VW took hybrid seriously they would develop a self charging system as Toyota and Renault etc have done. Why have a car that needs fuel from a petrol station and, then having to plug it in to charge up for what? 30 miles at best? My Austral hybrid, ting 3 cylinder 1.2 lite engine and self charging hybrid and does over 60 mpg all the time so, fill my tank then not again for over 700 miles. And, the biggest bonus is, it’s not a VAG car.

[@MrDuncl]

I'm sure the self charging setup is one of many options. Unlike the new Prius which is only available as a PHEV. As for what is the point, when I looked at Passat GTEs they all seemed to have done about 100000 miles at four years old. I'm not sure what that proves other than the type of people / companies who buy them.

[@georgesbv1]

She said 81 miles EV range which is way above daily comute of the majority. I own a Kodiaq PHEV, fast DC charge giving another 100 km range in 30 minutes.

[@edc1569]

It can 'self-charge' if you want it to, however makes more sense to charge it from cheap electricity so you get a really cheap commute, and you burn less oil.

[@richardwalsh1838]

Is the screen on the dash removable? Ruins the look of the car, is completely unnecessary, and blocks the view of the road.

[@MrDuncl]

No. It is needed to control many functions. I haven't sat in one of these but felt the same way about the Toyota Corolla.

[@jonathoncross7472]

For the love of god learn how to say VOLKSWAGEN!!!!!!

[@AutoSocialUK]

@@jonathoncross7472 for the love of god I’M NOT GERMAN

[@jonathoncross7472]

@@AutoSocialUK So what? The rest of Europe manages it. If you can't get that right then stop making content. 😘

[@AutoSocialUK]

@@jonathoncross7472 you seem to be the only one with an issue 👋🏼

[@jonathoncross7472]

@@AutoSocialUK Shoddy reviews. Shoddy pronunciations. ;)

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

88 miles correspond to 100 kilometer? Hang on, is that why woman talk 70% about looks?

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

If a woman presents a car it's 70% about looks. If a man presents a car it's 70% about technical stuff.