2018 head-to-head · Compact Car
2018 Chevrolet Volt vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 1.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 106 MPGe + 42 MPG
FWD · Electric motor (100 kW) · Single-speed · 119 MPGe · 125 mi
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $767 a year to fuel (119 MPGe), versus $902 for the 2018 Chevrolet Volt (106 MPGe + 42 MPG). That's roughly $135 a year, or about $674 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Volt
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV
Side by side
| Chevrolet Volt | Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV | |
|---|---|---|
| $902 | Your annual fuel cost | $767 |
| 106 MPGe + 42 MPG | Combined efficiency | 119 MPGe |
| 113 MPGe / 43 MPG | City | 126 MPGe |
| 99 MPGe / 42 MPG | Highway | 111 MPGe |
| 31 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 28.4 kWh |
| 420 mi | Driving range | 125 mi |
| 53 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| 19 cu ft | Cargo volume | 17 cu ft |
| 51 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 4.5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 5.3 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Electricity |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (100 kW) |
| CVT | Transmission | Single-speed |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Volt vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV across model years
- Chevrolet Volt
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Chevrolet Volt goes farther between stops: about 420 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 125 miles for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Chevrolet Volt has more cargo space (19 vs. 17 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 compact cars, the Chevrolet Volt ranks 3rd and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Chevrolet Volt; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Volt or the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV. The Chevrolet Volt is rated 106 MPGe + 42 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV 119 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Chevrolet Volt vs. the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $902 for the Chevrolet Volt and $767 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV.
Which has more range?
The Chevrolet Volt: about 420 miles versus 125 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Chevrolet Volt, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 17 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Volt vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI EV in other years
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