Used 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Hatchback Consumer Reviews
Used Golf GTI for sale
Awesome car with an Achilles' Heel
Grant, 02/05/2016
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
You probably have read all of the reviews - best performance car value, great ride/handling mix, great power, great fuel economy, roomy interior, class-leading technology and driver assistance features, great safety ratings. It's all true. Combined with the deals that VW is making right now, it probably sounds too good to be true. That's why I bought one, after test-driving all of the competitors (some more than once). I love everything about the car except for an infuriating Achilles' heel. There's a sharp creaking/cracking sound emitted from the rear of the car intermittently over bumps. Seems to be coming from the hatch or the headliner. I've had it back to the dealer three times to fix this, each time they've either claimed that they couldn't hear it or have added some felt strips/anti-rattle tape here and there and called it a day. It still creaks. Absolutely infuriating, especially since solidity is supposedly a big selling point of German cars. I don't have time to keep bringing the vehicle back to the dealer every month for them to look at this, so for now I'll just keep driving and see if it goes away.
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Good value alternative to BMW 3
JFA, 06/17/2016
updated 12/28/2018
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The interior and driving experience are at the level of a German luxury brand. There are a few rough edges, like engine noise and the stiff ride which are part of the car's charm. OK, maybe the hard ride loses its charm over time. Every time I drive this car it makes me smile though. Update: there are widespread issues with leaky sunroofs, and my car was not immune, with dripping around the overhead console during heavy rain. It took the dealer about 2 hours to apply the kit to fix the issue. 2nd Update: after a year and a half of ownership, I remain very satisfied with my decision to buy the car. There have been no issues other than the earlier sunroof problem. The 2018 models with 6 year / 72k mike warranty would be a very smart buy. 3rd update: after 2 1/2 years of ownership no further issues, quite reliable.
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2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI for sale near you
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- SE w/Performance Package 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $13,87979 mi away
- S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $9,99699 mi away
- SE w/Performance Package 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $20,59014 mi away
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Third time is the charm
ek900, 01/01/2016
updated 01/07/2018
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I looked at GTIs two times in the past (1998 and 2007) and didn't buy one. This time the GTI won out. The real key to this car is to skip the stat comparisons and drive one. This generation of GTI is the most planted, tightest handling hatchback I have ever driven. The steering has great weight and is so direct as to make other cars feel like floaty old Oldsmobiles. I also like a lot of the design touches, such as the two-level trunk floor and the way you can flip the seat the perfect amount to slide a briefcase onto the back floor. To be clear, the great handling does come with a stiff ride. I am fine with it but those that never want to be jarred should look elsewhere. Also, two years in I am worried that some interior pieces are flimsy. I have had a couple of air vent sliders come off, but rattles aren't yet happening. Overall, the GTI is a really enjoyable car that feels better in spirited driving. And if you can get a good deal, it is a hot hatchback long on value. And the value for the money is pretty powerful. With incentives, I got an S 2-door with 6 spd for under $23,000. That is unbeatable when comparing this car to a Mini Cooper S or a WRX (which I did). I am still only a very short way into ownership, but if this GTI can be reasonably reliable, I imagine I will be a happy owner for many years. UPDATE - 18 months in and the driving is still a blast. The car drives tight and is perfect for the zippy suburban and city driving I do. I will say it has had some minor quality issues. The driver's mirror remote can be flaky, and the rear vents lost their tiny, flimsy pulls. I do think some of the interior trim is on the cheap side, but I also think the driver's seat is more comfortable than any other for me. I was sad to see that VW dropped the classic 2-door GTI in 2017, but that makes me all the more happy I got one!
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Perfect except for the hard centre stack
Kilby, 09/07/2020
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We own a 2016 GTI 6 speed manual and a 2019 GLI 6 speed as well. The GTI is a better quality build but lacks the bells and whistles of the 2019. Apart from some issues with the heater when the car was new (fixed under warranty) the only issue is with the hard plastic on the centre stack, I am 5' 10" and my right knee just kills me as it contacts this hard edge. I purchased a stick on pad off Amazon which has solved the problem. Could use another 30 or 40 hp but all around a fun, reliable and easy to live with car.
I've owned 30+ cars...this one is the best!
NBinCO, 02/04/2019
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I consider myself to be a very honest reviewer - the good and the bad. This is a complete rave review from someone who has experienced nearly every type of vehicle under the sun, and has fallen completely in love with the GTI. I purchased mine right after VW's legal issues, resulting in a fantastic deal. I bought this car for the cost of a base model Golf! First, the performance. Though I haven't modified my GTI, it's easy and cheap to make this car a total pocket rocket. Base performance is already stellar, though. The motor is peppy and eager, and hardly needs to downshift to give you a huge burst of passing speed. Not overly fast, but quick enough to make you smile when you want it to. Power is smooth, and the turbo spools up at the right time. I have the 6MT, which is fantastic. Shifts are snappy, clutch is easy, and the gear ratios are ideal for the right blend of power and efficiency. I often get 40-45 MPG (yes, really!) on my commute, which is on the freeways of Denver. Brakes are awesome, stopping distance is still very short after 34K miles. Technology is good for this segment - Apple Car Play is awesome. Stereo sounds fantastic. I love the data available on the infotainment screen (driving data, turbo PSI, G-meter, lap timer, etc...) I've done a few 10 hour drives, and find the seats to be decently comfortable and great for taller drivers. Not one problem with this car in 34,000 miles! Two downsides come to mind: One, the recommended service interval is 10K miles. Even with synthetic, it will burn off some oil before it's due to be changed - I recommend a 5K interval instead. Second, the rear seat is a bit cramped. It's a compact though, so this shouldn't be news. I can still fit 4 adults, but it often requires moving the front seats up a bit too much for comfort. I trade in and out of cars constantly, but 3 years later I'm planning to keep it indefinitely and pass it down to my son in ten years. That's how much I love this car, and I know it will still be a great car in a decade!
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