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Car group tests

Volkswagen e-Golf vs BMW i3

Can the new VW e-Golf put battery-powered cars on the road to mainstream success? We find out as it meets the brilliant BMW i3

VW e-Golf vs BMW i3

Electric cars have yet to spark a wholesale switch away from the combustion engine, but sales are rising and the launch of an electric version of Europe’s biggest-selling car is another example of the growing surge towards the mainstream.

The new VW e-Golf is available to order now and follows hot on the heels of the e-up! city car. Plus, once you factor in the Government Plug-in Car Grant, the newcomer costs £25,845 – which places it squarely in the path of BMW’s new i3.

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The £25,680 i3 has already impressed us with its head-turning image, cleverly packaged interior and advanced composite structure. So if you’re ready to make the switch to electric motoring, is the cutting-edge, futuristic BMW or the electrified Golf the better choice?

Volkswagen e-Golf review

BMW i3 review

Which electric car comes out on top? Read individual reviews by clicking the links above, and scroll down for a full comparison and verdict...

Head-to-head

Connectivity

The e-Golf and i3 feature clever connectivity apps for smartphones, allowing you to check your battery and charging status remotely and also pre-heat or cool the cabin when the car is plugged into the mains. 

Both cars are also available with mobile Internet options. VW’s Car-Net provides online traffic info, while if you toggle through the BMW’s display menu (below), the ConnectedDrive set-up lets you stream music and use social media.

Colours 

The i3 comes with the option of four £530 metallic colours with two contrasting shades for the bonnet and tailgate. Our car’s solar orange finish is the most adventurous. The e-Golf comes in a choice of six £535 metallic and two standard colours, plus our car’s £255 Pure White paint.  

Dimensions 

Park these cars nose-to-nose, and you can see how much taller the i3 is than the e-Golf. It’s also shorter and narrower, and that makes it well suited to city driving. 

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C-Class Saloon

2018 Mercedes

C-Class Saloon

39,194 milesAutomaticDiesel2.1L

Cash £19,500
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5 Series

2023 BMW

5 Series

28,765 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £29,697
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Range Rover Evoque

2021 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

22,435 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £23,097
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e-tron

2023 Audi

e-tron

22,578 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £21,976
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The Golf’s traditional shape attracts much less attention on the road, but gives you a bigger boot and more passenger space.

Verdict

1st place: BMW i3

With innovative engineering and the use of advanced composite materials, the i3 is a groundbreaking electric car that’s fast, good to drive and practical. But beyond the technology, the funky cabin and futuristic looks give it the desirability factor EVs have traditionally lacked. If you can cope with the range limitations, then it’s a very tempting proposition. And it just edges victory over the worthy but less exciting VW.

2nd place: Volkswagen e-Golf

The e-Golf is another excellent electric car from Volkswagen. It’s a well engineered and good-to-drive EV, with a similar real-world range to the i3. The Golf won’t turn as many heads as the i3, but its traditional image is a plus for some. However, it trails the BMW on performance, plus the ride is firm and the handling slightly blunted. More importantly, it lacks the all-round desirability of its futuristic rival.

VW e-Golf vs BMW i3: key specs

 BMW i3Volkswagen e-Golf
On the road price/total as tested£25,680/£25,680£25,845/£27,090
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)£7,730/30.1%£7,469/28.9%
Depreciation£17,950£18,376
Annual tax liability std/higher rateN/AN/A
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost21/£332/A/£010/TBC/A/£0
Servicing costs£375 (5yrs/60k)£384 (3yrs/30k)
   
Length/wheelbase3,999/2,570mm4,349/2,637mm
Height/width1,578/1,775mm1,452/1,799mm
EngineAC electric motor AC electric motor
Peak power 168bhp113bhp
Peak torque 250Nm270Nm
TransmissionSingle speed/rwdSingle speed/fwd
   
Battery warranty (miles)/spare wheel8yrs (100k)/sealant8yrs (99,360)/sealant
Boot capacity (seats up/down) 260/1,100 litres341/1,231 litres
Kerbweight/payload1,270/425kg1,510/450kg
Turning circle/drag coefficient9.9 metres/0.29Cd10.0 metres/0.28Cd
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery3yrs (unltd)/3yrs 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs
Service intervals/UK dealersVariable/4710,000/24
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.10th/22nd19th/31st
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars86/81/57/494/89/65/5*
   
0-60/30-70mph7.1/6.5 secs9.6/10.2 secs
30-50mph 2.3 secs3.8 secs
50-70mph 4.2 secs6.4 secs
Top speed93mph87mph
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 49.5/38.1/8.7m57.9/36.6/10.2m
   
Claimed range 120 miles118 miles
Full charge time (mains)13 hours (est)13 hours (est)
80 per cent charge time (fast charger)30 minutes (est)35 minutes (est)
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracketN/AN/A
   
Airbags/park sensors/reversing camSix/yes/£790Seven/yes/£165
Leather/heated seats/climate control £2,000/£260/yes£2,095/£375/yes
Met paint/LED lights/cruise control £530/£710/yes£535/yes/yes
Split/fold rear seats/Isofix Yes/yesYes/yes
Sat-nav/DAB radio/BluetoothYes/yes/yesYes/yes/yes 
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