Volkswagen Golf in Europe as apposed to America

I have friends and family members with euro-spec VW products (SEATs and Škoda) they are very poorly built cars. The owners are addicted to how they drive but they also admit that "the check engine light lives it's own life" 🤣.

Hybrid Volkswagen Golf GTE 2018 or later with around 20k maximum

Realize that with a good hybrid, the main thing that causes issues to develop is aging with time the battery cell with time and a bit less with millage. Although with VW, we don't know yet - but the battery's already 4 years old!

I don't drive all that much, maximum 5k miles a year if even that! 

In this case, getting a hybrid makes even less sense. A person that drives 40k-50k will feel the savings, when driving that little you're probably loosing money picking a hybrid. it's really just "spending a dollar to save a dime".

If you want something to be good on gas, get a diesel with a manual.

do they offer good after market support? or am I just stuck with the dealer 💷!!! 

Well I've never seen a "triple clutch DCT" with am electric motor stuck into the transmission - and oh boy when it brakes (and friction material will eventually get worn, there's no way around it on a DCT)

Also hybrid technology? especially VW hybrid technology - I don't think any mechanic saw it or has the opportunity to fix one. so yeah, no one probably knows how to do anything.

As far as the 1.4 TSI, usually there's 'support' - because it constantly needs it, but I'm unsure what mechanical differences there is between the regular and the hybrid - so I don't think that anyone will want to give you 'support'. 

Quite honestly? If I'd want a hybrid (as someone who has the displeasure of driving one) just get a Corolla with a 2.0L hybrid they're alright.

Personally, If I'd drive that little and want something fun, I'd just get almost any non-hybrid petrol. gas doesn't cost THAT much compared to batteries, even if it will double what it is today.

If you want something fun and long lasting, get a PETROL (NON-Hybrid) 3rd generation Mazda3 / Mazda6 with the bigger engine with the highest performance version. Or a Suzuki Vitara PETROL (NON-Hybrid) 1.4 BoosterJet (it's a bit unrefined but it's a fun little compact SUV), or if you really want a super fun car - the PETROL (NON-Hybrid) Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 BoosterJet is A BLAST.

The GTE is a handsome hybrid hot hatch, but being a hybrid means its more difficult to care for compared to the typical petrol or diesel and it's harder to modify.

While 20k miles isn't a lot, I am talking about longer term ownership, so if you only plan on keeping it a short time it could be good.

I'd stick to the GTI if I were you, the Mk7s is regarded as one of the best generations of Golfs out there. You could also consider the GTD (the diesel Golf hot hatch) and it's estate variant for more fuel economy.