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Used 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf Hatchback Consumer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
22 reviews

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Cons
1 out of 5 stars

An great electric car crippled by zombie software

HP, 02/05/2016
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
52 of 74 people found this review helpful

The handling and acceleration of e-Golf is beyond my expectation. It is cute and agile on city road and highways. This is compared to the cars (Mercedes E350 and BMW X5) that I have. The perspective of paying $1.4 dollar for my daily commute of 45 miles is very promising. However, I will not recommend this model year to others because of the following pain points: (1) This car has a 3G module that communicates with VW server. It fails: The CarNet service on desktop browser or mobile App allows you to (a) lock/unlock the car, (b) activate A/C, (c) charging schedule manage. From day-1, the CarNet server is never able to communicate with my car. It renders the CarNet service useless. My e-Golf is completely off the grid. (2) Delay charging failure: If you search for "VW e-golf delay charging issue" on Google, you will find long list of complaints that it doesn't work. Yes, 2015 e-Golf delay charging problem continues to plague 2016 e-Golf. For people living in California, the low electric rate kicks in between 11pm-7am. This is a very fundamental software feature for utilize the discount rate, yet it fails to deliver. For those days that it fails to delay charge, I could wake up in the morning and only find out the battery is not charged. I had to drive my e-Golf with ECO+ mode in one morning commute because battery is low. With ECO+ mode that turns off AC/Heater, I was frozen with inside temperature 45F and thinking what I have trapped myself into. This is a horrible experience for a new car owner.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Handles corners well, zips over canyons

Canyon hopper, 07/26/2019
updated 12/02/2024
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
15 of 26 people found this review helpful

I just bought the car today. For Los Angeles the car might not be the best in terms of gas mileage because when I started 9 miles away it was at 76 on the dashboard and 3 miles into my drive home it’s at 55. That’s 21 miles for the distance of three. Granted I was going up at very large hill And the air conditioner was on. So I’m hoping that by charging every night I will actually be able to make it to work and back which is a total of 18 miles. On the upside it handles beautifully And surprisingly goes over potholes and bumps very easily. Update - have been driving it for a week. I wish I hadn't bought this car. They don't tell you that 126 is nonexistent. I got home from work and it was at 26 miles left after having started at 78 this morning and I drive less than 18 miles. It's been almost two years. I never drive the car. I went to LAX (17 miles away) on a full tank and ran out of charge on the way back. Should have gotten a hybrid. Year 3 - I drive it more now, but of course not very far. Definitely buy the expensive extended warranty. Am going to get my charging mechanism fixed. When evaluating it the mechanic found another issue and part that needs to be replaced bevause when using a Volta (or any charging station) it locks in place and can’t get released. Total nightmare. So if I drive it only in the valley and not through the canyons I can easily do errands and not use much mileage at all. Using the heater or A/C uses more energy. But it’s still enormously fun to drive and handles really well. And four people can sit comfortably even if you are 6 feet.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

155 MILE RANGE!

Scot, 10/18/2017
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful

I have been driving my 2017 VW Egolf for a month now and its amazing, I work in the service dept at a major VW dealership, the 17 is a now brainer, 50% plus more range than the 16, amazing pick up and regen. infotainment system is update and perfect

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Buyer Beware!!!

gmontagne, 09/14/2016
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
31 of 70 people found this review helpful

I bought this car in California and told the dealership that I would be moving to Georgia within the year. They never told me that I would not be able to get the car serviced in Georgia. I paid to have it shipped Georgia, and now that it is time for my 1st maintenance, low and behold there are no dealerships who have been trained on servicing the car. Now I am stuck with a car that can't be serviced by VW, and am told that if I have it serviced by a non-dealership mechanic it could void my warranty. When I called VW to try and see if they could have someone trained in the area, they told me it was MY responsibility to know whether or not they service the vehicle in other states. Who has ever heard of a car made by a major manufacturer that could not be serviced by at least one local dealership? So much for customer service! If you are thinking of buying this car, and think you could ever move to another state during the time that you own this vehicle - then by another vehicle instead.

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Should have kept my Prius

Debbie R in L.A., 08/17/2019
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
11 of 26 people found this review helpful

I work 9 miles from home and have to charge my car every single night and I’ve only had it for three weeks. Because I drive in bumper to bumper traffic I can watch the 107 mile fully charged battery drop within 10 minutes down to 87 and then down to 55 before I get home. It can take 22 hours to fully charge. So I have to charge it every night for 12 hours and hope that it is fully charged. 9 miles using up 53? Who made this piece of garbage? I was told by sales to “realistically” expect 100 miles per charge, not the 126 advertised. Also, the delay does not work at all. I put it on for the first time and in the AM my car was still at 55. I live driving it but this is a scam.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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