2024 Volkswagen GTI Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
Volkswagen has been building performance variants of its compact hatchback since 1976, and it's still a sweetheart of a sport compact. The current MkVIII generation was introduced for 2022, and for the first time the U.S. market got the GTI and not the standard Golf. Folks after more capability can opt for a Golf R, but we still have a lot of love for the lighter, more playful GTI.
Sadly, 2024 will be the GTI's final model year with an available manual transmission. Volkswagen's venerable hot hatch competes against other affordable sport compacts including the Subaru WRX, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Acura Integra A-Spec, and Hyundai Elantra N.
What's New
- Trim walk drops 40th Anniversary Edition
- New GTI 380 package for all examples with a manual transmission
- Standard power folding side mirrors
- New wheel design for GTI SE
What We Think
The GTI is easy to appreciate. Both manual and dual-clutch examples are quick, capable, and fun. Volkswagen's latest 2.0-liter turbo-four delivers strong torque throughout the rev range, ride quality is excellent (when equipped with smaller wheels and tires), and the chassis is pleasantly tossable through the bends.
The driving experience is aided by an understeer-quelling standard limited-slip differential up front, which was previously tied to a performance package. We also appreciate the weighty if artificial steering and confident, nearly unfadeable brakes. The GTI's dual personality between canyon carver and comfortable daily driver is another one of its strengths.
The GTI is great when you're driving, as long as you don't have to interact with the interior. Volkswagen stripped nearly all physical buttons from the cabin, replacing them with finicky capacitive touch buttons, and key functions like turning off traction control are hidden behind layers of menus. The gloss black button panels quickly get covered in fingerprints and smudges, too.
We're grateful Volkswagen continues to build an excellent gas-powered hot hatch despite the automaker's clear movement toward electric vehicles and SUVs, even if some of the interior controls make us crazy. The GTI is still a charmer.
Performance and Efficiency
Volkswagen fits its sporty hatch with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 delivering 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the front wheels with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. A front limited-slip differential is standard.
We've tested manual transmission 0-60-mph acceleration in as little as 6.1 seconds with summer tires—you lose a few tenths with all-seasons—but drivers who want the best chance of beating their buddies off the line will be better suited by the dual-clutch model. With the auto, the 0-60-mph number drops to 5.4 seconds. Fuel economy is impressive at 23-24/32-34 mpg city/highway.
The GTI 380
This year brings a new GTI 380 package that's standard on all manual-equipped models, celebrating the final year of available manual transmissions in the GTI. Aesthetic changes include a gloss black roof and side mirrors plus an exclusive Graphite Gray Metallic paint option. Black 19-inch wheels and adaptive damping are standard, too.
Safety Ratings and Features
The 2023 GTI earned a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. It hasn't been evaluated in the institute's updated side crash test, a requirement for a 2023 TSP award. Headlights are rated Marginal on S and SE trims, and Acceptable on the Autobahn trim that has auto high-beams. Thankfully, the automaker's IQ Drive active safety features are standard.
Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and lane keep assist are all standard. Higher models have automatic high-beams, park assist, road sign recognition, and a head-up display.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Compared to two peers, the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX, the GTI has less legroom front and rear than either. The Integra has a larger cargo hold, too, though the GTI's hatchback body style makes its cargo space more versatile than the sealed trunk of the WRX.
Technology
The GTI has decent tech, but it's also where we run into issues with the car. Volkswagen's 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster is impressive, and the base 8.3- and upgraded 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreens are fine, but we've struggled with the placement and sensitivity of annoying capacitive touch buttons. Anecdotally, we've had some problems with glitches and bugs from the smaller-screened system in our GTI long-term loaner.
Other techy niceties include a heated steering wheel and front seats, ambient interior lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Trims with the larger screen add wireless smartphone mirroring, and those pricier variants also offer ventilated front seats, a head-up display, nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and three-zone automatic climate control.
Will There Be an Electric GTI?
Electrification is coming for most cars, and although it may be a decade, Volkswagen has shown us what an electric GTI might look like with the electric ID GTI concept. Red exterior accents pay obvious tribute to the first-generation GTI, and the ID GTI implements a front light bar that has become emblematic of Volkswagen's electric vehicles. The golf ball texture that has long been imprinted into the GTI's shift knob is used on the rim of the concept's center drive mode knob. Volkswagen has confirmed a version of the concept will eventually reach production, but who knows if it'll make it to North America.
Recommended Trim
Between the GTI S, SE, and Autobahn, the base trim level seems like the best buy. Stepping up to the SE will cost buyers close to $5,000 just to get a larger infotainment screen, sunroof, front light bar, wireless smartphone mirroring, and premium audio. Plus, the base model retains physical infotainment controls. If it were our cash, we'd save the $5K for summer tires and a set of handsome wheels.
