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I do like the look of the Golf GTE, but it's not sold here (Australia) and I don't trust VAG as a company. In my estimation, electric is perfect for the smalle

I do like the look of the Golf GTE, but it's not sold here (Australia) and I don't trust VAG as a company. In my estimation, electric is perfect for the smaller second car, where it becomes a no-brainer for 95% of commuting and shopping tasks. Tesla is going for the electric-car-first market. Volkswagen, BMW and others seem to be throwing darts at the wall to see what sticks. Right now the most interesting future products are coming from Hyundai-Kia. In particular I'm looking at the Kia Niro EV with quiet anticipation. A completely normal and boring car that gets all the normal and boring stuff right—but with a well sorted pure electric power train. https://youtu.be/AR5sDwF5aBM?t=103 https://youtu.be/AR5sDwF5aBM?t=103

clouddrover 8y ago
Yes, I agree the Hyundai Kona EV is the best value for money today. It's got good range at a good price. But the upcoming Volkswagen I.D. models are also cars which get the normal and boring things right: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Tqw9LX3QE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Tqw9LX3QE https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/about-us/concept-cars/volkswagen-id https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/about-us/concept-cars/volkswage... The I.D. hatchback is supposed to be priced around the same as a diesel Golf. They say they'll be able to drive down prices though the economies of scale of their MEB platform: https://jalopnik.com/the-fascinating-engineering-behind-vws-electric-car-pla-1829257860 https://jalopnik.com/the-fascinating-engineering-behind-vws-... And for high-end luxury cars VW will have the Porsche Taycan and at least three models of Audi e-tron in the next few years (Audi e-tron SUV to be released soon, a future Audi e-tron GT based on the Porsche Taycan's platform, and a future Audi CUV based on the same MEB platform as the I.D. models).
- sjwright 8y ago
  All true but again, I don't trust VAG as a company so I'm not inclined to purchase any of their products. I personally know too many people burned by their various catastrophes with their DSG gearboxes and diesel engines that I'd simply be too scared to hand over my money.
  - tonyedgecombe 8y ago
    That's interesting, they are perceived as a quality/aspirational brand in the UK.
    - sjwright 8y ago
      They are here as well (Australia) among some people but their reputation for reliability and longevity is trash among many segments of commentator and consumer. Mazda has an unusually strong footprint in Australia, particularly for hatchbacks and crossovers. Most non-German European brands are very unpopular, selling in relatively minuscule numbers.

clouddrover 8y ago

Yes, I agree the Hyundai Kona EV is the best value for money today. It's got good range at a good price. But the upcoming Volkswagen I.D. models are also cars which get the normal and boring things right: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Tqw9LX3QE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Tqw9LX3QE https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/about-us/concept-cars/volkswagen-id https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/about-us/concept-cars/volkswage... The I.D. hatchback is supposed to be priced around the same as a diesel Golf. They say they'll be able to drive down prices though the economies of scale of their MEB platform: https://jalopnik.com/the-fascinating-engineering-behind-vws-electric-car-pla-1829257860 https://jalopnik.com/the-fascinating-engineering-behind-vws-... And for high-end luxury cars VW will have the Porsche Taycan and at least three models of Audi e-tron in the next few years (Audi e-tron SUV to be released soon, a future Audi e-tron GT based on the Porsche Taycan's platform, and a future Audi CUV based on the same MEB platform as the I.D. models).

sjwright 8y ago
All true but again, I don't trust VAG as a company so I'm not inclined to purchase any of their products. I personally know too many people burned by their various catastrophes with their DSG gearboxes and diesel engines that I'd simply be too scared to hand over my money.
- tonyedgecombe 8y ago
  That's interesting, they are perceived as a quality/aspirational brand in the UK.
  - sjwright 8y ago
    They are here as well (Australia) among some people but their reputation for reliability and longevity is trash among many segments of commentator and consumer. Mazda has an unusually strong footprint in Australia, particularly for hatchbacks and crossovers. Most non-German European brands are very unpopular, selling in relatively minuscule numbers.