Slalom handling and ride quality aren't attributes that usually affect the results in a green car awards competition. But these two qualities helped to distinguish the 2017 e-Golf from 21 other competitors to be named the Top Green Vehicle in the 2017 AAA Green Car Guide. The e-Golf scored highest among its competitors based on a total point score in 13 different attributes including those mentioned above, as well as visibility, EPA emissions, and interior noise.

“We are very happy that the e-Golf SE has been selected as the Top Green Vehicle in such a competitive segment,” said Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing & Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The e-Golf embodies all of the great things inherently Volkswagen in an all-electric package.”

“The Volkswagen e-Golf SE is proof that affordable battery-electric efficiency and sporty driving don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “The e-Golf’s ride quality, handling and quiet interior helped earn it a Top Green Vehicle Award in its category of the AAA Green Car Guide.”

Volkswagen has made a number of improvements to the 2017 e-Golf. The most notable is a new lithium-ion batteries that increases range from 83 miles to 125 miles on single charge. A new electric motor features 134 HP and 214 lb-ft of torque while the 2016 model had 115 HP/199 lb-ft. The updated model now reaches 60 miles per hour in 9.6 seconds.

Charging time is reduced as well. A 7.2 kW on-board charger is now standard on both SE and SEL Premium trims allowing the battery to reach full charge in less than six hours at a 240V charging station. When equipped with DC Fast Charging (optional on SE, standard on SEL Premium), the battery reaches 80 percent capacity within an hour at a DC fast charging station.

The new battery also improves the overall fuel economy of the 2017 e-Golf. EPA estimated fuel economy is 126 MPGe in the city, 111 MPGe on the highway, and combined city/ highway at 119 MPGe. This is improved over the 2016 EPA estimates of 126, 105 and 116. This gives the 2017 e-Golf the best EPA estimates in the Compact Class.

The 2017 e-Golf goes on sale this spring. Pricing has not been announced.