This is clearly the first wildcard Golf that Volkswagen has ever made. Not that it looks like it, as the space age tech is tucked under an everyday Golf body, only with streamlined alloys and smart LED running lights.
That's not a bad thing, though. Because the golf is understated, it makes you appear anonymous (in a good way), and the E Golf is no different – proving that electric cars can be dressed up in sheep's clothing without them having to look like a space ship.
There is little to tell the E Golf apart from the inside, either, which will please buyers who are nervous about purchasing an electric car with all its compromises. Details such as altered dials and gearbox settings aside, the cabin is standard fare. It's like putting on your favourite pair of boots only to find someone has fitted them with jet boosters.
Ergonomic quality is typically class leading whilst there is loads of standard equipment including parking sensors, sat nav, two zone climate control and an eight inch touch screen.
Being an electric machine, the cabin is incredibly quiet. Volkswagen have worked hard to minimise rattles, squeaks and tyre roar thanks to the huge side walls.
The E Golf is punchy, too, with an impressive amount of low down shove from the electric drive train. It's difficult to describe how quick it is when darting in and out of traffic, but it's in a different league to fossil fuel rivals.
It handles like a standard Golf but with less role. That's thanks to the extra weight that's been placed low into the car.
The thing everyone wants to know, though, is the range. The car is entirely acceptable, with a predicted range of around 180 miles, although in real world situations this figure is harder to reach.
Whilst clearly the wildcard, the E Golf justifies its price and everyday compromises thanks to its combination of practicality, refinement and power delivery.
