Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 – MPG and running costs
Mild and plug-in hybrid options make the Volkswagen Golf an economical car, but GTI and R range-toppers can be thirsty
Opt for an eTSI model and the Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf is just as efficient as you’d expect. The 1.5-litre 114bhp eTSI with the seven-speed DSG achieves a quoted 53.8mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, with our test returning similar figures. Step up to the 148bhp eTSI with the seven-speed DSG and the WLTP combined figure only drops marginally to 52.3mpg. Should you be looking for a manual, the base-level 114bhp six-speed car is said to achieve 51.2mpg, with the more powerful 148bhp pure-combustion model standing at 50.4mpg.
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Move up the range to eHybrid models and the electric drive helps extract some ludicrous on-paper efficiency, with the WLTP combined figure standing at 941.6 and 706.2mpg for the 1.5-litre eHybrid and 268bhp GTE respectively. The two-litre diesel 114bhp manual and 148bhp DSG models are said to achieve 62.8 and 60.1mpg.
Opt for the EA888-powered GTI, GTI Clubsport and R and you’re unlikely to see much more than 40mpg on a long run. Increase the pace and average mpg figures in the high teens aren’t hard to achieve.
