2015 Volkswagen e-Golf

The rise of electric vehicles has been a slow, albeit, steady one. But the pace has picked up recently, among new startups and major carmakers alike. So what’s the latest? This 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf.

VW’s first all-electric vehicle for the U.S. seems like both an attempt to play catch-up with the likes of Nissan…Chevrolet…and even Tesla…as well as an attempt to make EVs more mainstream.

The e-Golf is an extension of the newest Golf hatchback; changing little visually. Proving that you don’t need to scream “EV”, to drive one.

A new, modular chassis allows the e-Golf to retain all the space of its gas-powered kin. It rates the same 93.5 cu. ft. for people, and a maximum of 52.7, for cargo.

Juicing the e-Golf is a 115 horsepower electric motor, cranking the front wheels through a single speed transmission. Range is between 70 and 90 miles in normal driving, though with Eco and Eco+ modes, and three levels of regenerative braking, that can be stretched into triple digits. Full charging takes about 4 hours with a 240 volt charger. DC fast charging can deliver an 80% charge in 30 minutes. 

That’s all pretty much standard for EVs, though…with competitors like LEAF and Spark EV spec-ing in at about the same. So what’s the selling point?

Well, our Quick Spin showed us that driving the e-Golf was like driving any other new Golf…very pleasing and normal.

PATRICK LUCAS: In terms of suspension, and steering, and just how the car drives…with the exception to some electric whirring noises, you’d be hard pressed to tell that you’re driving an all-electric car versus conventional gas or diesel…the e-golf interior is definitely one of its highlights. A lot of other electric cars can feel gimmicky, almost experimental, but this is very car like, very familiar, you get in, you know how to use everything, and that’s pretty refreshing to find.

JOHN DAVIS: On sale now, the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf stickers around $36,000.