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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 126 / 111 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 119 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $650 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $23,696–$31,161 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.9/10, while Performance at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional ev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.4/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.9/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.2/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $23,696–$31,161, 119 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen e-Golf sits in the budget-friendly tier of the ev market. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is a passable ev but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf ranks #260 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.8 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $23,696 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 55%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Across the e-Golf model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6.9/10 | $25,495 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.9/10 | $24,595 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $23,696 | |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $22,796 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.7/10 | $21,896 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Unknown or other 05/05/2021 · 21V321000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.