Car and Acceptance Conditions

The author inspects a Volkswagen Golf GTE, a plug-in hybrid, which was brought in on a custom order for a client in Kyiv. It is a white 2022 model year car with a mileage of 34,000 km. The author rates the condition as very good and notes the low mileage. The car has already been registered. According to the author, Golfs with this trim level and hybrid versions rarely arrive in the country. The author had previously driven a similar white 2023 or 2024 model year car and shot a video about it.

The car stood idle, so the 12-volt battery discharged. The battery has been working for four years, since the car has been in use since it was manufactured. The author also notes that the car was mostly driven over short distances and had no opportunity to charge.

Initial Setup and Controls

• Touch-sensitive climate and seat heating controls: seat heating is activated by quick taps.
• The Ukrainian interface language is set by default. It only needs to be selected in the settings.
• Perforated touch-sensitive heated steering wheel.
• Folding mirrors, panoramic roof.

The onboard computer displayed a total range of 147 km with a full tank and full charge. Separate range indication for the battery and the internal combustion engine was not shown at the time of testing. The author determined that 7 km is available on electric power, and with the energy distribution setting, the range on the internal combustion engine is 140 km.

The fuel tank is located on the right, as usual for Volkswagen. The fuel filler flap is opened by a button inside the cabin. The charging port flap opens separately. The author notes that the behavior of these flaps differs from the version with an internal combustion engine only. The vehicle runs on gasoline, not diesel.

Faults and Features

• Keyless access stopped working for a while. The car locked itself and, after some time, unlocked.
• The steering wheel switched on by itself.
• The trunk is missing a coat hanger hook. The author assumes that the previous owner did not order it, or that it is unavailable for the GTE version. The author also refers to this version as GTI.

Refueling and Fuel Consumption

The author refueled 20 L 476 mL of fuel. According to his data, the driving range increased by 400 km. The calculated consumption was about 5 L/100 km. The battery range at that time was 6 km, which the author estimated at roughly 10–15% charge.

Onboard computer readings for the long-term period:

After refueling, the readings were reset, and the author started a new measurement.

Multimedia and Cabin Organization

Apple CarPlay connects without any problems. The system remembers the last mode used. The author chose the hybrid mode so as not to waste battery charge. The engine started, and the 12-volt battery recovered.

The cabin features:

• a shelf with wireless smartphone charging;
• separate phone spots for the driver and the passenger;
• cup holders;
• an armrest;
• felt-lined pockets that fit bottles with a capacity of 1.5–2 L.

The author notes the comfortable ergonomics and the number of storage spaces.

Driver assistants: blind-spot monitoring, sensors, and a camera when pulling out of a parking space. The author notes that the vehicle's trim level is maximal, not only in terms of battery.

Charging

The author used the extension cable included in the kit for charging. His colleague Ivan had previously demonstrated the procedure in detail.

• The vehicle's onboard charger accepts 3.6 kW.
• The station delivers 11 kW.
• The author expected a charge increase of at least 10% in 1.8 h. The mode on the station was set for 30 minutes.
• After 18 minutes, charging delivered almost 1 kWh.

After charging, the electric-only range was 13 km. The author notes that even a small charge makes it possible to drive in heavy traffic without the internal combustion engine, without knocking or vibrations, and with noticeable acceleration.

The equipment includes a towbar with a lock and a socket. The vehicle can tow a trailer.

Trip along the Lviv Route and Back

The author drove through Lviv without bypassing the city. While the car was in motion, a software update arrived. The car installed it in the background.

Trip results:

• distance covered: 81 km;
• fuel consumption: 4.3 l/100 km;
• electricity consumption: 2 kWh/100 km;
• approximately 20 km were spent in city traffic jams in Lviv.

The total trip mileage was 297 km. Average consumption from startup with warm-up was 5.1 l/100 km. The author considers the figure of 0.5 kWh/100 km unreliable. By his calculation, more than 1.5 kWh was used for the trip. The author notes that he could not precisely determine what the data shows.

Battery Diagnostics

The author tried to assess the battery's condition using diagnostic tools. According to him, this could not be done for this vehicle. Indirect information about charging and energy consumption is available, which can be used to verify the consistency of the mileage.

The current battery charge was 22.75%, while the electric driving range showed 0 km. The author notes that plug-in hybrids do not discharge to zero and do not charge to 100%. The launch control data is shown as zero. Volkswagen's diagnostic data does not provide information on the battery condition for electric vehicles and hybrids.

Driving Modes and Dynamics

• In built-up areas: a 50 km/h limit, and 70 km/h in sections with speed cameras.
• On two-lane roads: 110–120 km/h.
• On single-lane roads: 90–100 km/h.
• Cruise control was set to 90 km/h.
• With two or three passengers, the car holds 130–140 km/h with confidence.

The author also notes that the sport suspension of the GTE version makes driving more engaging than that of the standard Golf. The car accelerates well from a standstill. The engine kicks in when additional power is needed.

Response to Criticism in the Comments

Earlier, users in the comments raised the following complaints:

• the electric-only range is too short;
• the 1.4 engine is too weak and not durable;
• for that kind of money, you could buy an electric car.

The author responds to each point:

• The stated electric-only range in the city is about 60 km in favorable weather. The author considers this figure reliable, since the battery's mileage has not led to any noticeable loss of capacity.
• The 1.4 engine has been used in VAG models for about 10 years. The author notes that it has had problems, but he does not see widespread dissatisfaction. In his assessment, the engine's power is sufficient even without the hybrid system.
• According to the author's observations, electric cars mostly travel at about 90 km/h. The author acknowledges that new versions with large batteries may go faster, up to 110–120 km/h.
• Speed limits in most European countries are 110–130 km/h. In Poland, 140 km/h is permitted. Germany was not considered in this comparison.

In the author's view, a plug-in hybrid suits typical conditions: daily trips of 20–50 km, as well as long trips without charging stations and speed limits. The author notes that since 2024, VAG and most automakers have been producing plug-in hybrids with a battery range of more than 100 km.

The author states that he loves plug-in hybrids and would buy a wagon with this technology if there were more of them on the market.

Humanitarian Delivery

The author reports the transfer of a 1967 motorhome to the military for the 56th Mariupol Brigade. The motorhome was purchased in Germany on eBay Kleinanzeigen for approximately 50 euros and handed over free of charge. The vehicle was old and its inspection certificate had expired, so it could not be driven under its own power from Germany. It was delivered by car carrier.

Inside the motorhome there are two sleeping berths, a gas stove, and a sink. The space can be converted into a bedroom. The author assesses the condition of the body as relatively good. Before use, the connections and brakes will need to be checked. The brigade's crew arranged the delivery at their own expense and will live in the motorhome.