Volkswagen Golf Hybrid Tested: Honda-Style HEV Aims for 60 MPG

Volkswagen is taking direct aim at the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla with its first-ever full-hybrid powertrain, designed to cut emissions and boost urban efficiency following the recent demise of the diesel Golf in the UK. Positioned directly between the eTSI mild hybrid and the eHybrid PHEV, the new Golf Hybrid is available across all trim levels with a choice of 134 bhp or 168 bhp outputs. The higher-powered version tested commands a £1,200 premium over the equivalent eTSI. The setup pairs Volkswagen’s 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a small electric traction motor, a 48V starter-generator, and a 1.6kWh battery tucked beneath the rear seat, which enables regular bursts of low-speed, engine-off driving. Operating similarly to the Honda Civic’s e:HEV system rather than Nissan’s e-Power, the engine can drive the wheels directly at cruising speeds, act as a generator to top up the battery in series hybrid mode, or work alongside the electric motor in parallel hybrid mode. There is no traditional gearbox; instead, a single-ratio reduction gear handles power delivery, with the electric motor driving the front axle at speeds up to 37 mph before the clutch closes and the engine hooks up. In WLTP testing, the electric motor powered the Golf 66% of the time, while public road tests around Wolfsburg yielded a 59% EV mix. Volkswagen claims the Hybrid uses up to 11% less petrol in urban environments than the eHybrid. On the road, the car accelerates smoothly and quietly mimics an EV during low-demand driving. However, when greater power is demanded for steep hills or quick overtakes, the engine can become boisterous and thrashy, exhibiting an elastic-band effect similar to a CVT. Over a 40-mile test route through the suburbs of Nice and into Monaco, the car averaged 56.5 MPG. Specification for the tested Volkswagen Golf Hybrid 125kW R-Line includes an estimated price of £35,200, a 1,498cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48V ISG and electric motor, 168 bhp of power, 229 lb ft of torque, a single-speed reduction gear with front-wheel drive, a kerb weight of 1,484 kg, a 0-62 mph time of 7.5 seconds (with the lower-powered version taking 8.8 seconds), a top speed of 112 mph, economy of 61 MPG, and CO2 emissions of 107 g/km with an estimated 27% tax band. Rivals include the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The same powertrain is also offered in the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover, which mechanically mirrors the hatchback but pays a performance penalty due to extra weight and height, needing an extra second to reach 62 mph.