2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Name: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review
Brand: Volkswagen
Price: 24999 USD

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback Exterior

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+213

The new Volkswagen GTI isn't a dramatically different machine than the one it replaces. Instead of rethinking the GTI, Volkswagen's engineers have finely polished what made the GTI so good to begin with. It's fun to drive all the time thanks to a stout engine and sharp handling. It's comfortable and offers plenty of cargo space too. Frustrating controls and a high base price are its biggest flaws. But as a whole, the new GTI is as charming as ever.

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2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Sporty and fun handling
Roomy hatchback design for passengers and cargo
Sophisticated ride quality with the optional adaptive suspension
High-quality interior materials look and feel great

Cons

Infotainment system can be frustrating to use
Not as much power as some rival hot hatches

What's new

Redesigned for 2022
Overhauled interior with new tech
More power from the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
Kicks off the eighth Golf GTI generation

Overview

More than 40 years ago, the GTI essentially created the hot hatch segment, combining practicality and performance in an attractive package at an affordable price. Over several decades and seven generations, Volkswagen has built on the original GTI's success. The new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI makes its debut for 2022, with a fresh, aggressive new face, an all-new interior, new tech and a slight bump in performance.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$195/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Powering the GTI is a new version of the car's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that has appeared in VW products for more than a decade. In the 2022 GTI, it produces 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque — a bump up from the previous engine's 228 hp and 258 lb-ft. You can still get it with a manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. A revised suspension tuning and a standard limited-slip differential mean the GTI drives better than ever, and the interior benefits from a fresh design and a new infotainment system.

Overall, we're impressed with the new GTI's combination of speed, practicality and technology. But the 2022 model year is shaping up to be a good one for driving enthusiasts, with new versions of the Honda Civic and Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 twins also making their debuts. There's also the 275-hp Hyundai Veloster N to consider. What to get? Check out our Expert Rating of the 2022 GTI below to help you decide.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the Golf GTI drive? It should be no surprise that the new GTI drives a lot like the old one. It might look different, but the engine, transmission and much of the suspension carry over. That said, it's not totally the same. Base GTIs get a slight bump in power, and all come standard with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential that helps you quickly put down the power when exiting turns.

With the available dual-clutch automatic transmission, our test GTI covered 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. That's about half a second off the more powerful Hyundai Elantra N with the dual-clutch. The manual transmission car was a bit slower at 6.5 seconds to 60, a tenth off the Elantra N manual and half a second off the Subaru WRX. Both transmissions are excellent. The manual transmission has a precise shifter and light clutch with an easy engagement point, so it's easy to drive either around town or on a winding road.

Our summer-tire-shod GTI stopped from 60 mph in just 103 feet, which is impressively short for an affordably priced performance car like this. Steering feel and overall handling have been improved too. Overall, this one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars on the road.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Golf GTI? The GTI has always excelled at balancing performance with comfort. The seatback may look different, but these seats feel familiar to anyone who's driven a GTI before. The fixed side and thigh bolsters are pronounced but not overly tight. Volkswagen has found a nice Goldilocks setting. And, yes, the GTI's iconic red, white and black tartan cloth seats carry over. Ride comfort has been improved thanks to a revised suspension tuning. Our loaded test vehicle was equipped with an adaptive suspension that can be set to a compliant Comfort mode or a firm Sport setting. There's a noticeable difference, but the GTI never feels too soft or overly harsh.

Not everything has been improved. While we appreciate the available three-zone climate control, the capacitive touch controls for the temperature are cumbersome and occasionally infuriating to use. Rather than buttons or knobs, the GTI uses touch points on the dash. They're difficult to see and use without taking your eyes off the road.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The GTI's interior may look different than before, but it doesn't take long behind the wheel for everything to feel a bit familiar. The seating position is excellent, with lots of adjustments and good visibility in all directions. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position, and there's plenty of room up front and a decent amount in the rear, though taller passengers might find rear legroom lacking. The brake pedal does sit a bit high off the floor, making heel-toe downshifts with the six-speed manual a bit awkward but not impossible. The GTI's compact size and wide doors make getting in and out a breeze, even with the sporty seat bolsters.

It's not all grand. The capacitive touch controls that plague the climate control system are present everywhere, from the headlight switch to the steering wheel controls. They're all too sensitive and provide too little feedback. We accidently turned on the heated steering wheel on multiple occasions when a palm grazed the button on a tight turn. It's frustrating and one of the few areas in which the new GTI is worse than its predecessor. We really don't get what Volkswagen was going for here.

Technology

9.0/10

How’s the tech? Volkswagen has heavily updated the GTI's tech. It features a new infotainment system with a new interface and lots of new features, though the system isn't perfect in practice. It's laggy at times, and it's not always clear where certain functions are located. The voice controls are excellent, with a robust list of commands and functions. You can say your feet are cold, and the GTI will start blowing warm air at the bottom vents. The GTI features wireless connectivity for the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration system. There's a wireless charging pad too, and USB-C ports for both front and rear passengers.

The GTI's advanced driver aids are equally impressive. The adaptive cruise control works smoothly, maintaining a tight gap in traffic and holding speed up- and downhill. It's even available with the GTI's manual transmission. Blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist and other aids all work about as well as we expect from a car at this price.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? Performance and style might be what draws your eye to the GTI, but its hatchback utility is part of what's made it so popular over the years. The GTI's cargo space is huge, eclipsing cargo room in nearly every other hatchback on sale today. The cargo area is wide and tall, and the rear seats fold nearly flat in a 60/40 split for even more space. Storage up front is also impressive thanks to large door pockets and plenty of small bins for phone, sunglasses and more. The small and awkwardly placed cupholders are one of the few drawbacks.

There's a reasonable amount of space in the rear for child safety seats. Isofix anchors are easily located, though the front seats may need to be scooted up a hair to accommodate larger rear-facing seats.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy for the GTI is 28 mpg combined whether you opt for the six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The dual-clutch does return slight better city fuel ecnomy, 25 mpg versus 24 mpg, but highway estimates are the same at 34 mpg. We saw 30.8 mpg on our 115-mile real-world evaluation route driving a dual-clutch-equipped model, which is a good showing and a promising indication the EPA estimates are accurate.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Golf GTI a good value? The Volkswagen GTI has always been one of the most expensive vehicles in its class, but it's also generally felt a cut above most of its rivals. A well-equipped GTI crosses over $40,000, significantly more than most of its rivals. The interior looks and feels premium, with a clean design and lots of nice materials. The performance gap to other more powerful cars has narrowed thanks to the GTI's updates, but the Volkswagen is less of a performance bargain than the quickest hatchbacks in its class.

Volkswagen includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty, which is average for the class. The GTI's three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance is better than most, as is the scheduled maintenance coverage of two years/24,000 miles.

Wildcard

9.0/10

The GTI has always been one of the more subtle hot hatches around. While cars like the Civic Type R are adorned with big wings and wide fenders, the GTI has remained cool and clean, even if that new face is a bit more brash than before. Whether it's the tartan seats, red accents or new LED foglights, it's the small details that make the GTI charming.

And that's all before you get behind the wheel. The GTI is fun at any speed. The turbocharged engine offers lots of low-end power, so you can zip through traffic without having to work too hard. Then, when you escape the city and head out to a twisty road, the GTI rewards you with predictable handling and an engaging character.

Which Golf GTI does Edmunds recommend?

There's nothing wrong with getting a base GTI S. It comes well stocked with convenience and safety-related features. The Autobahn trim is tempting because of its exclusive adaptive suspension and summer performance tires, but a large part of the GTI's appeal is affordability. Stick with the S and use your considerable savings to buy a set of summer tires and some high-performance track-day entries.

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI models

The 2022 Golf GTI is available as a four-door hatchback and comes in three trim levels: S, SE and Autobahn. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (241 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque) that drives the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Standard feature highlights include:

S
Starts you off with:

18-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Heated mirrors
Push-button start
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front sport seats
Customizable interior ambient lighting
Front and rear parking sensors

The S also comes with tech features such as:

8.25-inch touchscreen
Digital instrument panel
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Seven-speaker sound system
Wireless smartphone charging pad

Standard advanced driver aids include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the GTI back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot intervention (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and can help steer the GTI back into its lane if you try to change lanes)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the GTI and the car in front)

SE
Has all of the above plus:

Sunroof
Adaptive headlights
Proximity keyless entry
10-inch touchscreen
Integrated navigation system
Nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

Optional for the SE is a package that bundles leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, ventilated front seats and driver's seat memory settings.

Autobahn
Has all of the above features plus:

19-inch wheels with summer performance tires
Adaptive suspension dampers (enhance ride comfort and handling)
Heated rear seats
Rear-seat climate controls
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

5 (56%)

4 (22%)

3 (11%)

2 (0%)

1 (11%)

4.1

18 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Sad but true

M, 01/08/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I’ll really like everything about the car’s chassis, engine, motor, and interior. I dislike the overly complex infotainment system with no mobs for radio or HVAC. It’s hard to concentrate on driving with this system. Hopefully they will add some physical knobs since it seems to be universally abhorred.

Not a MK7

Isobar, 07/09/2022

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Totaled my MK7, naturally the new GTI was my go to choice. I should’ve stayed with the old model. Performance and driving dynamics are solid. Styling is very handsome. That’s where it stops for me, the infotainment system and lack of buttons is infuriating. The MK8.5 will be close to perfect if VW takes an evolutionary approach rather than the current revolution. Won’t be keeping this …

Still a fun car to drive!

Mike, 01/10/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I had the MK7 and now the MK8 GTI and I am really impressed with the performance of this car, also the touch screen and haptic controls are really easy to use once you know where everything is.

Stay away

JAR, 10/26/2022

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

I have had four VW iterations of the Golf in my life, a 2000 Golf, a 2017 Rabbit, a 2015 GTI SE, and the 2022 Mk8 GTI Autobahn. As you can tell I kept the first three for a lot of years. The 2022 GTI I only kept for nine months. Why? for problematic and unreliable electronic issues, ranging from sensors not working, functions turning on and off on their own, screens freezing …

See all 18 reviews of the Volkswagen Golf GTI

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2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI videos

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2022 Golf GTI Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,880
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$195/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Golf GTI models:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns the driver if a front collision, including with a pedestrian, seems imminent. If needed, it can apply automatic emergency braking.
High-Beam Controls: Automatically switches the GTI's high-beam headlights on or off depending on oncoming traffic.
Lane Keeping Assist: Uses a flashing light to warn the driver of vehicles in blind spots. Can also apply steering to nudge the vehicle back into its lane.

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2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Golf GTI does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Sad but true

Not a MK7

Still a fun car to drive!

Stay away

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI videos

Drag Race! Hyundai Elantra N vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI | Power, Top Speed, 0-60, U-Drag & More

2022 Golf GTI Highlights

Safety

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2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Golf GTI does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Sad but true

Not a MK7

Still a fun car to drive!

Stay away

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI videos

Drag Race! Hyundai Elantra N vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI | Power, Top Speed, 0-60, U-Drag & More

2022 Golf GTI Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Volkswagen

Research similar vehicles

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}