Volkswagen e-Golf Review: Best Used Electric Car to Buy?

Volkswagen e-Golf Review: Best Used Electric Car to Buy?

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The Volkswagen Golf hatchback has a reputation for everyday versatility that's hard to match.

When you have a weekend getaway planned or need to run essential errands, the Golf is there with its substantial cargo space.

With its spirited acceleration and handling, the Golf makes driving fun and enjoyable, no matter the type of road.

And it's reasonable pricing gives you a refined European car without draining your savings account.

The Volkswagen Golf seems to have it all.

But what if you no longer had to fill up at the pump?

The Volkswagen e-Golf has all of the standard version's excellent practicality and lets you charge up at home or on the go, without ever needing to visit a gas station.

Here's our Volkswagen e-Golf review with all of its excellent features and benefits.

Volkswagen e-Golf price

Volkswagen last sold the e-Golf in the U.S. in 2019, making pre-owned versions a great bargain on today's used market.

In 2019, the VW e-Golf came in two trim levels:

  • SE — $32,790 MSRP
  • SEL Premium — $39,790 MSRP

Standard equipment on the SE includes:

  • DC fast charging
  • Automatic climate control
  • Infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen
  • Eight-speaker sound system
  • Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity
  • Power-adjustable front seats

An optional Driver Assistance package adds high-tech safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automated emergency braking.

The SEL trim level has a standard infotainment system with a 9.3-inch touchscreen and VW's excellent Driver Assistance package. 

Buying a used electric car like the e-Golf can save you thousands on refueling. That’s a great perk for you, and it helps slow the pace of climate change. But electric vehicles are complex machines with all the latest technology, so it's important to find a pre-owned one in great shape. When you buy an electric car from Shift, you can rest assured it's in excellent condition.

Shift's certified mechanics perform extensive 150-point inspections on every car and have complete vehicle history reports, so you know your used car feels as good as new.

Shift's website has a large selection of fully inspected vehicles located across the country that are ready to go. The website is user-friendly, and you'll be able to find various makes and models to suit your needs and budget. With Shift's expertise and experience selling used vehicles, you can rest assured your used car purchase — be it a Hyundai, Chevrolet, or any of the dozens of other makes in Shift’s inventory — will be good to go when our concierge hands you the keys.

Volkswagen e-Golf range

The VW e-Golf’s range can handle most trips and errands, readily driving 125 miles on a full charge. But when you need to go further, its DC fast charging capability puts you back on the road in a short amount of time. Additionally, its regenerative braking system helps replenish the battery every time you apply the brakes.

The e-Golf powertrain specs include a 35.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack driving an electric motor that produces 134 horsepower for a nice blend of economy and pep. 

The EPA rates the e-Golf 110 MPGe in regular driving, demonstrating its superb efficiency and environmental friendliness.

On a standard 120-volt household outlet, the e-Golf reaches a full charge in about 26 hours. But when you upgrade to a 240-volt outlet, that time decreases to around six hours.

But if you're on the go and find yourself near a DC fast charging station, the e-Golf reaches 80% capacity in only one hour.

Volkswagen e-Golf acceleration and handling

Standard Golf models have always been known for fun driving attributes, like great acceleration and handling. And the electric Golf is no different.

The VW e-Golf springs to 60 miles per hour in a respectable 8.5 seconds and, with its European tuned suspension, provides a ride that's both athletic and comfortable. And the e-Golf's nicely weighted and accurate steering makes every corner more enjoyable.

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf (from $16,950)

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf (from $16,950)
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Volkswagen e-Golf interior

The VW e-Golf has an upscale interior and plenty of cargo space for any task or trip.

Using a contemporary design and high-quality materials, the e-Golf has the interior of a much more expensive car. Both trim levels use partially power-adjustable front seats, allowing both the driver and passenger to ride comfortably. The SEL Premium trim adds a self-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, and faux-leather seats.

A particular strong suit of the Volkswagen Golf is its ample cargo capacity. And with the e-Golf using the same body structure, it has the same excellent utility as gas-powered editions. The trunk carries a spacious 22.8 cubic feet of cargo, but when you fold down the seats, that depth expands to an ample 52.7 cubic feet.

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf (from $23,950)

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf (from $23,950)
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Volkswagen e-Golf warranty

The VW e-Golf comes with a bumper-to-bumper warranty that lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and the powertrain receives coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. 

But of particular note is the e-Golf's hybrid component warranty that goes for eight years or 100,000 miles and includes the battery.

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Volkswagen e-Golf review in summary

The VW e-Golf has all of the versatility and European engineering in the gasoline-powered Golf, but with the added perk of an electric powertrain. 

The e-Golf's base SE trim includes excellent standard features like DC fast charging and an infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The SEL Premium adds a standard Drivers Assistance package, a larger 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and interior upgrades.

With its 125-mile range and EPA-rated 110 MPGe, the Volkswagen e-Golf can handle almost any in-town trip. But when you need to go further, its DC fast charging capability gives you an 80% charge in less than an hour. 

The VW e-Golf has superb efficiency, and it's also fun to drive. With its taut suspension and peppy acceleration, the e-Golf makes any drive more entertaining.

The e-Golf's interior looks like something out of a vehicle costing many thousands more, with an elegant design and quality materials. The standard partially power-adjustable front seats allow both the driver and front-seat passenger to tailor their comfort settings.

Since the e-Golf comes with an eight-year, 100,000-mile hybrid component warranty covering the battery, you can drive with added peace of mind. 

When you're in the market for a fun-to-drive used car like the e-Golf, where can you find one that'll stand the test of time? With Shift's best-in-industry service contracts, you know your vehicle's good to go for the long haul. With a Shift Vehicle Protection Plan, not only are essential components covered, but you also receive roadside assistance if you run into trouble. Wherever you happen to be in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, help is just a toll-free phone call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Shift takes the stress out of car buying with our fair, no-haggle prices driven by powerful machine learning algorithms and tons of data. And for extra reassurance, any car you buy from Shift has a seven-day refund policy. If you aren't fully satisfied with your purchase, you can return it with no questions asked. Whether you want a BMW i3, a turbochargedAudi A4, or a Golf GTI, Shift has what you need.

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Author
Shift Editorial Team