Published:
4 November 2024The Golf's upgraded engine means it's the most powerful GTE we've seen so far.
Supported by a 108bhp electric motor, the total power output increases from the previous version's 242bhp to 268bhp.
The GTE has two main driving settings: E-mode and Hybrid. In E-mode, which uses only the electric motor to propel the car, acceleration is brisk enough and quiet, with strong torque off the line. It certainly feels quick enough for day-to-day driving in this mode, but naturally it isn’t as accelerative as the fully electric Volkswagen ID 3.
Transitioning the engine into play is smooth, if not quite as seamless as the system in the Hyundai Tucson, and performance is plentiful.
The GTE will hit 0-62mph in 6.6sec which is quicker than its Audi rival, although the gap between the Golf GTE and the Golf GTI has grown to 0.7sec.
Quick it may be, but under heavier acceleration, the hot hatch act quickly starts to crumble: this isn’t an engine that sounds happy being revved.
While the GTE offers decent mid-range performance, it can sound and feel quite laboured under heavier acceleration.
