The Volkswagen e-Golf SE has earned the Top Green Vehicle award amongst compact cars in the 2017 AAA Green Car Guide.
Of the 21 compact cars reviewed, the e-Golf scored highest amongst its competitors based on a total point score in 13 different attributes including, but not limited to: slalom handling, visibility, EPA emissions, ride quality and interior noise.
“We are very happy that the e-Golf SE has been selected as the Top Green Vehicle in such a competitive segment,” said Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing & Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The e-Golf embodies all of the great things inherently Volkswagen in an all-electric package.”
“The Volkswagen e-Golf SE is proof that affordable battery-electric efficiency and sporty driving don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “The e-Golf’s ride quality, handling and quiet interior helped earn it a Top Green Vehicle Award in its category of the AAA Green Car Guide.”
For the 2017 model year, the e-Golf retains all its inherent properties, but offers an improved EPA-estimated range and fuel economy over last year’s model, as well as more power. For 2017, Volkswagen is using a new lithium-ion battery with an increased energy capacity of 35.8 kWh from 24.2 kWh. The new battery helps increase the vehicle’s range from an EPA-estimated total range of 83 miles to 125 miles on a single charge. The 7.2 kW on-board charger is now standard on both SE and SEL Premium trims, which enables the battery to be charged in less than six hours at a 240V charging station. When equipped with DC Fast Charging (optional on SE, standard on SEL Premium), the battery can be charged to 80 percent within an hour at a DC fast charging station.
Improved battery chemistry also helps improve the overall fuel economy of the 2017 e-Golf. For city driving, the EPA estimated fuel economy is 126 MPGe; highway driving is rated at 111 MPGe, and combined city/ highway at 119 MPGe, improved over the 2016 EPA estimates of 126, 105 and 116, respectively. The 2017 e-Golf EPA estimates are the best in the Compact Class, as defined by the EPA.
The electric motor on the 2017 e-Golf has been upgraded as well. Where the 2016 e-Golf utilized a 115 horsepower electric motor, the new electric motor develops 134 horsepower. At the same time, the maximum torque of the electric motor has been boosted from 199 lb-ft to 214 lb-ft. The 2017 e-Golf runs zero to 60 mph faster than its predecessor—now in just 9.6 seconds—and its top speed increases to 93 mph.
In addition to these engineering improvements, the 2017 e-Golf is wallet friendly. Using 13 cents per kilowatt-hour, the EPA has estimated an annual fuel cost of just $550.
The 2017 e-Golf goes on sale this spring. Pricing will be announced closer to market introduction.
