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What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Volkswagen GTI? What does it compare to?
The GTI and Golf R are sporty versions of VW’s small hatchback. Compare them to the Subaru WRX, Hyundai Elantra N, and Hyundai Kona N.
Is the 2024 Volkswagen GTI a good car?
These polished performers are a gas to drive, and they’re plenty practical. We rate them at 6.5 out of 10 thanks to their utility, refined feel, and driving zest. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf?
The GTI and Golf R lineups carry into 2024 essentially unchanged, aside from the addition of power-folding mirrors to all versions.
This is the last year for the manual transmission in the GTI, unfortunately. To mark the occasion, all GTIs with a manual will be in a new GTI 380 appearance package with 19-inch wheels, gloss-black exterior accents, and adaptive dampers. The package will be offered on all three trim levels—S, SE, and Autobahn, as well as the Golf R. A Graphite Gray Metallic paint hue will be exclusive to the GTI 380, though the rest of the color palette will also be offered with the manual transmission.
Now the only Golf variants sold in the U.S., these sporty cars share a basic shape with the family-oriented hatchbacks popular in Europe. But they’re dressed up with big alloy wheels, a low stance, and zippy bodywork to match their underhood muscle. Inside, a center stack canted toward the driver has a classy look with either an 8.3-inch or a 10.0-inch touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Seats with big bolsters remind drivers that these cars would rather be on a winding road than handling daily-drive slogs, though they’re reasonable commuters overall.
Golf GTIs use a 241-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 to send power to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The dual-clutch is infinitely snappier, but the 6-speed is a genuine delight.
The Golf R swaps in a more powerful version of the turbo-4 rated at a hefty 315 hp, which is delivered to all four corners. They even have a nifty drift mode for weekend hooning.
All models have good, if firm, ride, and some of the best steering you’ll find on any modern car. Inside, look for good space for four or even five passengers, so long as they’re not linebackers. A big cargo area gives the GTI small SUV-grade utility. VW even sells a roof rack.
Top crash-test scores from the IIHS and plenty of driver-assistance tech make these cars very safe choices, too.
How much does the 2024 Volkswagen Golf cost?
The Golf starts at $32,915 in base S trim, a hefty $2,000 bump over last year’s model. That money buys power-folding mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats that are heated up front, and an 8.3-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Golf R runs about $14,000 more, though it comes with leather seats, a bigger touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, a sunroof, and, of course more power sent to all four corners.
Where is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf made?
In Germany.
