Used 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Consumer Reviews
Used e-Golf for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Great, but know what you're getting into.
Jeff Rut, 08/27/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
40 of 40 people found this review helpful
I own an E-Golf, and generally I love it, but I don't think general discussion touches on two important points. First, my only real negative to the car: the Navigation/Entertainment System is a complete joke. The entertainment/navigation console takes a minute to boot up. So if you're going to use navigation, you have to turn on your car and wait a minute before you can get on your way. Then, the screen is slow, it's small, etc. I do like the little dashboard screen. Overall, Google Maps is incomparably better than VW's navigation. There's also a problem that it doesn't have standard USB power, and they just assume you have an iPhone, so no micro-USB/Android charger is available for their proprietary slot (I got a 3rd party wire off Amazon, but it's crazy slow). Also, it has a weird bluetooth problem where it switches up music sometimes. It's just generally clunky and ugly and problematic. It does allow an SD card full of MP3s, I know that's like 2003 tech but I actually really like it. Also, about the range: I drive with a heavy foot, mostly on freeway, I don't use the annoying auto-brake or evo modes, and I get 85 miles or so. Before I got the car, I thought charging stations were going to be a big deal. But unless you have charging at work, charging stations are really not a large part of the EV experience. Even in the Bay Area, you just can't count on one being available - somebody else is parked there, and will be parked there for at least another hour or two more. Or it's broken. Or a non electric vehicle parked there. You just can't rely on it 100%. Anyway, who wants to wait around an hour to charge up enough to get home? A better way to think about it is, every morning your car starts with a quarter tank of gas. Sure, if there's an EMERGENCY, or you need to BARELY extend your trip past the car's range, something will probably be available. But if you think this will be a regular occurrence for you, buy a gas or diesel car. OK, not to scare off buyers, because yeah I do love this car. If you have a regular daily commute it's incredibly cheap to operate, especially with the lease deals out there. Quality isn't luxury car, but it's very high-end for a low-end car. With the torque and tight turns, it's really fun to drive around town - I feel like I'm driving a go-kart around on city streets. It's not quite as good on the freeway, but it's not bad. I'm six and a half feet tall and my wife isn't all that much shorter, and it's still surprisingly spacious inside, I don't keep the slider all the way back. However, tall people up front does mean that the people in the back row have basically no space at all.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
City Stealthmobile BEV
Randy, 10/17/2015
updated 10/19/2016
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
30 of 30 people found this review helpful
This is a 2nd car for me, for driving around in the city. The car does have limited range, I can get 5.5-5.8 miles per kwh, but I am retired and I do drive at or under the speed limit at all times, with most consumer devices turned off. What I like most about the e-golf is that it is just another Golf. It does not draw attention to itself. It does not say "hey, look at me, I'm a hybrid or electric car". It's low key, it's quiet, it's stealthy, and most importantly, it drives, due to it's heritage, like a german engineered car. Not like a japanese electric or hybrid econobox. It is purposeful, it's a city car, pure and simple. If I need to do a long distance trip, or get out of town and do some major driving, the TDI I have is for long distance trips. It's hard to put into words how a german car drives, compared to a japanese car... but you know it was designed to drive on Autobahns, and in the German, Swiss, and French alps too, in the twisties. And for all the mountains and canyons I drive in, I demand the way a german car drives, and gladly pay the premium for it. Update after 6 months: Still a nice car for the city and short trips. Key is to charge it at home, overnight, where filling up isn't so burdensome, and the cost of electricity is reasonable at $0.16 per kw, instead of using public infrastructure for recharging, which is quite a bit more expensive and time consuming, 2.5 to 3.25 hours each session. Forget about mooching electrons for free if you need a recharge, it's a business model doomed to failure. Provide your own infrastructure to charge, and you'll do fine Update after 1 year of use: Battery life has dropped to about a 7% loss in maximum range. I am averaging 6.0 miles per kwh with careful driving, over the last 2000 miles. My route remains a constant. What was 129 miles of range on a charge when new has dropped off to 120 miles now. Loss first started in the warm weather of May, and continues to drop in the heat of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA. Odometer now reads 7750 on 10/19/16
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf for sale near you
Showing 3 of 6 listings
- SEL Premium 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,850441 mi away
- SEL Premium 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $11,29072 mi away
- Limited Edition 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $10,590In-stock online
See all 6 listings
Love this car - never buy gas/oil/smog check again
mrmichaelwill, 06/29/2015
updated 06/30/2017
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
21 of 21 people found this review helpful
I bought this car January 2015 assuming it is going to be our secondary car. Turns out its so much fun to drive that its used as our primary car, and we use the Honday Oddysee only when we need the extended range going on vacation, need more than 5 seats or transport bikes, or when second adult commutes to near by train station. At the rate it is going we are putting about 12k miles per year on the car, so I am glad I did not lease it. Update: May 2016 we replaced our Honda Odyssey with a Tesla Model X, and now the VW eGolf is our secondary car again. Still we put 25,000 miles on the eGolf in the last two and a half years and it is still a lot of fun to drive. Gas cars are still revving up behind me at the light when the immediate electric torque propels me forward continuously accelerating. My only gripe is that Volkswagen sold me the car with three years of remote phone access car-net service included and then two years in their sales people started harassing me Comcast / SiriusXM style to start paying $15/month for it. They are lying and harder to get rid of than toilet paper stuck to your shoe. Since tesla Model 3 comes out this July and has more range and a more honest business model I will probably trade the car in for that.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Time Delayed Charging Feature-Forced to Use CARNET
Marc Hartranft, 11/16/2015
updated 11/17/2018
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
NOVEMBER 2018 UPDATE: I have logged just over 45,000 miles as a daily (75 miles round trip) commuter with the e-Golf. This has been a fantastic car with minimal maintenance requirements and perfect road reliability. Still fun to drive with never having to pump gas in the middle of the night or change oil every few months! The ONLY gripe with this car is VW's insistence that one must use CARNET software interface to enable time delayed charging feature@!! Talk about greedy!! Once the free use period runs out, they will begin to charge to use this web interface. Why would VW set up the car to not be able to support Level II chargers which support time delayed charge start times?? The dealer was "uninformed" or unwilling to disclose the limitation.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great EV -- Extremely Pleased
teconnor, 05/13/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I Highly recommend this eGolf. An EV with range that feels like a solid, real car. I'm extremely impressed with how it drives and feels. It's sporty, smooth, responsive, and more powerful than expected. It feels comparable to much pricier luxury compacts. Range is solid (100+ achievable under right conditions). The Car-Net (think OnStar by VW) bugs are a nuisance. If you need delayed charging, I'd wait for VW to resolve this (keep an eye on myvwegolf.com). As of May '15, some report success with the VW updates/fixes. My opinion (as a non-delay charger) is that the flawed 'extra' features do not distract from an otherwise solid vehicle and great EV.
Gas free diet!
P Adl, 03/12/2016
updated 03/16/2022
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Review update after near 4 yrs. I still really like this car. Has been trouble free (except for the radio volume control issue) and an extremely versatile car for transport and even cargo. The 125 mile range model did not materialize until the 2019 models were released! I checked them out and they are nicer too with more bells and whistles, but decided it was not worth the expense since VW, at least the Norm Reeves dealership, was not interested in making me a deal I would consider acceptable. The Golf (2015 - on models, and generally all of them) are much larger than they look. My daughter got the new 2019 Leaf and comparing the two, the Golf is smaller on the outside, but larger on the inside. The new Leaf is a much better driving car than the previous Leaf model, but the Golf is still a much nicer driving car than even the new Leaf. Where the Golf loses is in the range. 83 miles for the Golf, 150 miles for the new Leaf. My daughter would have bought the Golf, but she drives to 60-70 miles away twice a week for work and the Golf would not make it, but the Leaf does it comfortably. Thankfully I don't need that range and when I do the 60-70 miles, it is usually for the whole weekend so I can get an overnight charge and comfortably make it home. It is an ideal car for around town and a 35 mile work commute range. Still zero maintenance costs! Review update after almost 3 yrs. Really like this car, but the real limitation is the range and it's slow charging. VW should have figured an update to existing 2015/16/17 car and they would be keepers. New ones have 125 m range and faster charge, and that is better, but to be useful for SoCal area, 200 m range is minimum for a successful electric car. Everything else is as previous review below. Range is not that great, but everything else is! I test drove most of the smaller EVs, the Fiat, the Smart car, the Leaf, the BMW, etc. The best handling/driving one was the e-Golf. So I got it and have been driving it now for a year and three months and enjoying it more every day. I work very close to home and one charge can keep me going for around two weeks with a few excursions, i.e. driving to shops and running errands (all close). I did manage just over 105 miles with level 3 regeneration, and max limited power but it was slow going. VW has free charging at their locations and I use them since one is close to my home and if one is on my way, I stop, charge and catch up with emails using their WiFi. I find it to be the most practical of all the smaller lower cost EVs out there because it is roomy, comfortable, reasonable luggage capacity, with all the bells and whistles I could want. The 2017 has better range, 120 Miles is what I was told. That would let me drive to San Diego easily (if I spend the night to recharge)! UPDATE: 14th March 2018 - Now have 6500 miles. Bad news is VW decided to shut down their charging access! Terrible customer relation move if you ask me. They claimed many were fighting over the charge spot, but I almost always found it available when I went. They could have made money charging non customers to use it, but they chose to just shut it down - VERY DISAPPOINTING! Anyway, I still like the car, especially since I work just a couple of miles from work and one charge lasts a couple of weeks. Well, I tried a run to San Diego, and in my earlier review, I lied! It would NOT let me drive to San Diego easily! I just barely made it. It was sniffing electrons to make a 75 mile trip. It told me I had '0' miles for the last 2.8 miles!! After an overnight and half a day charge, I drove home on eco mode (limited to 75 MPH with slower acceleration) with full regeneration settings and made it home with 3 miles to spare. The car still feels very tight, as it should with only 6500 miles on it. Has not needed any service other than a recall software update. Only problem I have has is the radio volume jumps up and down when I try to adjust it. Everything else feels and runs/works great. My 105 mile trip is still my record, but do not want to drive that slowly, for a trip again. After 2+ years, I am very happy with my decision to get this car, fun to drive, performs when I want it to and amazingly economical both for energy usage and maintenance! Update: 16th March 2022 - 6 years later - still very happy with my decision! Now with only16K miles, ate up the original Bridgestone eco tires which I just replaces with Michelin Defender tires - much smoother, more quiet, and actually handles better too! Only issue I had was the fuel cover door release solenoid stopped working and would not open. So I couldn't charge the car. Still had charge though, so drove it to the original dealership thinkin it is still under warranty within 3 years and NOPE, they wanted to charge a LOT! Part was out of stock too. A week later I bought the part, took it to German Car Garage and it was installed in one afternoon and working great for $100. No other issues, NONE! and I'm still really enjoying this very versatile, zippy, fast little hatchback with no gas price worries!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Almost great except for one thing
Andrei, 02/21/2019
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I had been leasing and driving the 2015 e-Golf for three years. No problems, only joy. It has a real functional dashboard with analog gauges and mechanical tactile controls. No silly dashboard gimmicks, such as spinning /moving balls, no controls that are hidden in touch screens, which are found on most other EV models. The only thing that is supper annoying for the 2015 eGolf model and which VW refuses to address for me at the moment (already contacted VW Customer Care) is that to keep using the delayed/program charging feature an e-Golf 2015 owner is expected to subscribe to the full VW Car-Net service, which currently is $17.99 per month (this feature was free during the first 3-years).
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I'll never have to pull into a gas station again
Craig Heiman, 10/12/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I went from a plugin Prius to the VW E Golf. I could be happier. It's quick its fun and I can fit my sufboard in the car which is 7 10". Most importantly I dont' have to ever stop at a gas station again.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Really like it
sweetwagon, 07/03/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I wanted to try out an EV. After over a month with the car, happy I chose this one. Best interior and looks out of all the budget EVs. So far this car is great. I've got two kids. It's become the primary car for just going around town. Definitely a great experience with my first EV. Can't wait to see the next iteration of EVs.
Do NOT Buy This Car
Steve Burnett, 04/29/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
I am a big fan of the electric car, I own a 2002 RAV 4 EV and love it. If possible, I will never buy a gas car again. I bought the e-Golf and regret it. Of the first 64 days I owned it, it was in the shop 19 days. Still less than 3,000 miles and new problems are cropping up (charging issues, won't lock). The dealer promised that delayed charging was possible using the infotainment system, then after I bought it informed me that it was only available through car-net at $199 per year fee. And it doesn't work. They promised a fix in six weeks, then they say it will be another 3 weeks. Avoid headaches, do NOT buy this car.
9 months of ownership and still smiling
Ben, 08/24/2015
updated 03/01/2016
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was a little nervous purchasing the e-Golf given some of the issues others have reported. I test drove one and was surprised to see the range INCREASE as I drove, and I liked it a lot better than the Leaf, Fiat, or SmartTwo. I can't say I got the best deal but with the incentives, I am driving this for $200/month lease and 8¢/kWh. Basically, it costs me $1.90 to "fill the tank" and go 90-100 miles. And, yes, with mixed driving I realistically achieve that range in warm weather. It's simple math really - the battery provides about 22 kWh of use, and if you can average 4 kWh you'll get 88 miles. I average between 4.5-5 kWh. While I am conscientious of the way in which I drive, I'm moving along with traffic. At 75+mph, you will watch the battery drain quickly. Likewise, as soon as the temps begin to dip, you'll notice range decrease by as much as 20-30%, so be prepared for that change, in part due to the impact of temps on the battery and also for the heating system. I gain about 10% of that differential back through driving in Eco+ mode with the heat off and seat warmer on. The fit, finish, drivability, and sportiness of this car puts it well above the other electrics I looked at. In fact, it looks like a normal car on the road. The only change I would make is that I would've opted now for the regular car with the better headlights, fake leather interior, alloy rims, and better heating system. While the LE is fine, it would've been worth the small amount of extra money for those items. To get the best out of this car, I highly recommend installing a Level 2 charger - it makes a huge difference for those days when you drain the battery and want to recharge and use the car again.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Just bought mine used and am very happy
Bobby17, 01/13/2019
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Just bought mine in Los Angeles after driving a friend’s eGolf. I love this car after driving back to Seattle in it. I even slept in it during charging stops during this 1300 mile road trip. This is the best car that I have owned in decades! Love the SEL trim level.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
E-Golf - Be Ware It is A Newly Introduced Car
het3, 05/22/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
BUYER BEWARE. We recently purchased an e-golf that stopped driving. Car was charged and electrical system worked but it would not drive while in gear. It was towed to dealer (Capital VW in San Jose, CA). Service department reported that diagnostic showed 'power button was pressed', which was not the case, even so it should not stop functioning. After couple days we were told that 'firmware is updated' and that car can be picked up. No explanation of actually what had gone wrong. We were told to open a case with VW service. VW response was that 'car now works and is under warranty, take action outside of VW if you like'. Be ware that this is a newly introduced car with potential bugs.
Recently leased 2015 E-golfs.
george ivanov, 08/11/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
8 of 17 people found this review helpful
Before I begin my review I want to say I am in the Navy and this is the first time I am writing a negative review about anything that I have bought in my life. I recently leased one of those 2015 Golf-e models. It looks great feels great until you get on the freeway. The mile estimate on the sticker is not nearly accurate. I drove only 40 on a fully charged battery and I was almost out of juice. Beware and avoid at all times if you commute on highway to and from work. Unless you want to see your wife crying and deal with all the head aches and range anxiety due to fact that the battery runs out so fast when you don't have the break regenerating. If you how ever like traffic and drive only in traffic by all means get it. The moment there is constant acceleration cross your finger since you will be looking for a charging station in no time. If you are lucky enough you don't have to pay and the charging station actually works. I will post a video on you tube to show the true performance of the Golf-e on a highway. I guess if you drive in town less than 40 miles a day this car is for you. If not I do not recommend taking your chances like I did. Now I am stuck with a vehicle I cannot use for 3 years.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
e-Golf is a fraud.
angel bou, 12/09/2015
updated 12/15/2016
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
13 of 31 people found this review helpful
- Customer service won't help unless your attorney calls. - My e-Golf broke the 4th day and it's been being repaired for a month now. Still waiting. They don't even know what's wrong... - No loaner provided. No compensation. But yeah, I keep paying the lease despite not driving my car for a month - Buy a Volt, a Leaf or a Tesla. Don't even think on a e-Golf. Don't ever consider a Volkswagen.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
e-Golf is an unreliable NIGHTMARE
John Smith, 10/20/2015
updated 10/23/2018
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
11 of 27 people found this review helpful
This car does not charge properly. The range is a complete lie. It might be able to go 50 miles on a charge - nowhere near the range of the lie on the sticker. Acceleration is abysmal. I had a leaf that I traded in and am so sorry I did. VW has been a complete nightmare to deal with. Both the dealership and horrible people at VW customer service. If you want a crappy car that will leave you stranded, from a horrible company, you should immediately get an e-Golf.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
One more limitation of VW
Adrenalin*1, 08/21/2015
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Limited Edition 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 18 people found this review helpful
Don't get VW e-golf in the USA since they do not offer a free loaner like all the other companies. The beauty of getting electric with a free loaner is that you can truly save money with the free loaner if you want to go somewhere longer than the limitation of the electric vehicle. I do not know why VW is not providing the free loaner every year like Fiat or Ford or even like VW in Europe but that's another limitation to VW e-golf. I am giving a one star since all other electric vehicle purchase programs in USA offer much more.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
No more ICE
Minka vB, 09/06/2016
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
Never go back to internal combustion engine(ICE)!! Electric is here to stay and will get better every year.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value