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VW Golf vs Tesla Model Y comparison

Compare performance (325 HP vs 460 HP), boot space and price (28,300 £ vs 34,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – VW Golf or Tesla Model Y?

VW Golf vs Tesla Model Y: Key differences

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • substantially lighter
details

Tesla Model Y

4.5 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably more power
  • considerably more electric range
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Golf

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Golf is clearly cheaper – starting at 28,300 £ , while the Tesla Model Y costs 34,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 5,996 £.

As for electric range, the Tesla Model Y offers considerably more range – reaching up to 622 km, about 479 km more than the VW Golf.

Model Y

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Tesla Model Y offers noticeably more power – delivering 460 HP compared to 325 HP. That’s roughly 135 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Tesla Model Y is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the VW Golf takes 5.3 s. That’s about 1.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Tesla Model Y delivers visibly more torque with 660 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 240 Nm more.

Golf

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Tesla Model Y offers more seats – 7 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is substantially lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,976 kg. The difference is around 669 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Tesla Model Y offers substantially more boot space – 836 L compared to 381 L. That’s a difference of about 455 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries marginally more – 508 kg compared to 472 kg. That’s a difference of about 36 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Tesla Model Y stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £34,300
Model Y

Tesla Model Y

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 299 - 460 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 13.1 - 16.2 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 534 - 622 km
VW Golf
Tesla Model Y

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV that pairs practical interior space with a minimalist, tech-forward cabin that feels modern and airy. Its confident electric performance and suite of driver-assist features make everyday driving effortless, and regular software updates help the car stay fresh over time.

details
VW Golf
Tesla Model Y

Costs and Consumption

Price
28,300 - 46,700 £
Price
34,300 - 53,100 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
13.1 - 16.2 kWh/100km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Electric Range
534 - 622 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 173 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5 - 7
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Curb weight
1,976 - 2,108 kg
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Trunk capacity
822 - 836 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,789 mm
Width
1,920 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
438 - 508 kg
Payload
435 - 472 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 325 HP
Power HP
299 - 460 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.3 - 10.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 7.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Torque
420 - 660 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 - 239 kW
Power kW
220 - 338 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
VW
Brand
Tesla
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.