2024 Volkswagen Golf GTE Photos, engines & full specs

Volkswagen refreshed the eighth generation of its famous Golf lineup in 2024, trying to recover the terrain lost in front of other newcomers such as the Honda Civic or the Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

After more than 37 million units sold in its 50 years of existence, the Golf was already an iconic vehicle. Volkswagen’s fame for reliability and dependability was built partly on this compact hatchback. Since the model’s launch in 1974, the German automaker has produced the Golf in almost all shapes. Moreover, the vast range of engines and transmissions available meant that everybody could configure one to suit their needs. Volkswagen launched the eighth generation of this nameplate in 2020 during the world pandemic, and that affected the sales. Fast forward four years, and the automaker introduced the refreshed version of its compact hatchback and offered it with improved electrified versions, such as the GTE.

The GTE was part of the higher-powered versions of the Golf’s family, in the same league with the GTI. For the 2024 model year, it came with a revised front fascia that featured an LED stripe that visually connected the standard LED headlights. As an option, customer could have those with IQ Light illumination, which improved night-time driving and the car’s overall style. Another first for the Golf’s MK 8.5 was the illuminated badge. It was the first time in the model’s history to feature this. Lower, on the bumper, the GTE featured an aggressive-looking apron with a broad shiny-black hexagonal mesh-grille.

From its profile, the GTE was easy to recognize due to its specific lettering placed below door mirrors. While it came standard with 17-inch light-alloy wheels, customers could opt for an 18- or a 19-inch set. Like its predecessor, the Golf GTE’s look was enhanced by an ascending line on the sides, which visually connected headlights with taillights. Finally, at the back, the automaker ditched the fake exhausts, and a broad diffuser adorned the lower side of the bumper.

Inside, customers were greeted by a redesigned cabin. The high-bolstered sports seats with integrated headrests were upholstered with a mix of microfiber and Alcantara. In front of the driver, Volkswagen installed a 10.2-inch configurable instrument panel. Next, the GTE boasted a 12.9-inch touchscreen atop the center stack for the infotainment system. Volkswagen listened to its customers, and it has now created permanently illuminated touch sliders for the climate control systems. Still, there were no turning knobs for volume or tunning. On the other hand, the automaker replaced the formerly used touch buttons from the steering wheel with physical ones.

Under the skin, the Golf GTE featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine helped by an electric motor and an automatic transmission. One of the most significant changes made by Volkswagen to this model was the larger battery pack that could provide a range of 100 km (62 miles) in pure-electric mode.