Also, I can set remote-start times for recharging when plugged in, and by setting a departure time, I can also pre-warm and pre-prepare the car for the journey without leaving the comfort of my home. As this e-Golf is equipped with a supplemetary heating system, it's super-efficient, and toasty warm by the time I climb aboard. As I'm fortunate enough to have a home charger, and plug-in overnight to get the most out of my cheap electricity tariff, I can get the car throughly warm without depleting the battery. So, now we know. The Volkswagen e-Golf is a particularly nice car to drive, and a brilliant place in which to spend your time. It rides well, steers beautifully, and it has the most resolved set of controls of any hatchback in its class. But the thing is, that's the case of any Golf - be it a 1.0-litre base-spec model, or a firebreathing R. They're all class-leading products, which is impressive as we're coming to the end of the Mk7.5's life. But just because it's good as a car doesn't mean it's great as an EV.
As we know, there's more to being a great electric car than how it drives - real-world range is a hugely important factor. As is usability and overall fitness of purpose. Where does the e-Golf beat the Leaf? This is easy. Because the e-Golf has normalised the whole EV experience, it's easy to conclude that where it beats the Leaf is in its styling, interior, controls, and the overall way it drives. If you're an EV newbie, there's nothing about the e-Golf that will intimidate you. And right now, that's what the market needs. In terms of driving experience, the Leaf isn't far behind the e-Golf. You're saddled with a high driving position, which is good if you're vertically challenged like me, and it steers, handles and rides reasonably well. The steering is slightly heavier and offers more feel than the Golf, but in all other areas, the German car roundly trounces the Japanese one. But overall, it's a big score to the e-Golf. It's better to drive, nicer to sit inside, and - joy - the charging port is at the rear, which means I don't need to forward park in bays.
I'm opposed to doing that at a molecular level. Where does the Leaf beat the e-Golf? The Volkswagen's limited range really hampers it against the Leaf for all but the most ardent urban dwellers. The Leaf's reported range is similar to the e-Golf's but in reality, it drops its miles more slowly - and in winter, were the Golf's down to a 100-mile range, the Leaf will go 20-30% further. It's also usefully quicker - with 14hp additional power on offer, acceleration is sprightly, and able to challenge the most hard-charging GTIs. It's also worth noting that the Leaf is also cheaper at £27,490 after a £4,500 government grant for plug-in cars, but it's anticipated to depreciate more heavily. It's also worth noting that the Leaf's e-Pedal works really well. It takes the e-Golf's B mode for its transmission several stages further, with a regenerative effect that allows you to drive for 90% of the time without ever touching the brake pedal.
