2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Hatchback Consumer Reviews
Pricing
Best All-Around Commuting Car
I do tons of research before buying a car, and thus was slightly nervous about taking the plunge on my GTI. So many car reviews ding the haptic controls for the car's systems, and yes, on a test drive you can see their point. But, like actual owners said in my research, I too found the controls very easy to use after my first couple of days using them. I am at 1500 miles currently and have not once accidentally hit a single control on the steering wheel. The car is insanely fun to drive, especially if you live in a town or city. It zips everywhere and you feel joy driving. It's also excellent on the interstate--it feels rock solid at 80mph AND I can hit 40mpg (even with a turbo engine that can do 0-60 in under 6 seconds). The car also takes 87 octane gas and my gas bill has been cut in half with this and its mpg. Inside the car, the GTI also has so many thoughtful, clever touches that I haven't found in my Japanese cars. It's really thought out in its design. And the plaid seats are super cool and comfortable (make sure to follow others' advice online and sit with your butt truly against the seat back to get the best support--which I didn't do on my initial test drive). And lastly, the GTI has soul. Life is too short for driving generic SUVs!
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40 Years of VW GTI Fun
We bought our first GTI in 1984 (a new Black MT Rabbit GTI made in Westmoreland County PA) for $10,598.75 out the door. Fun car....only 90 hp (but reasonably powerful for a ~2,000 lb car), practical, decent handling....did I mention fun? Fast forward 4 decades (?) and we've gotten our 2nd GTI.....a 2024 Kings Red GTI SE w/ DSG (for....somewhat more money). GREAT car....ADDICTIVELY FUN car. Torquey motor...pulls from idle. Wonderfully direct steering and braking. Yes the haptic controls require you to adapt to them and I can say at this point I have to correct control inputs more often than I would like to, BUT....I look for twisty 2 lane roads to get where I would have taken the quickest/most direct route before. So I will put up with the controls and I have NO regrets about buying the car. It puts a smile on my face the moment I get behind the wheel. Wie er saust, kleine GTI......wah wah....wah wah wah wah wah wah.
- 380 SE 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $34,99824 mi away
- 380 S 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $30,99824 mi away
- 380 S 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $31,9908 mi away
Great Ride
Peppy, Fast, Comfortable, loaded with options, Fun and the infotainment system is not all that hard to learn and use, despite, comments to the contrary.
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Stylish, Practical and Fun to Drive
Volkswagen engineering has always delivered great safety features for my husband and me. We had a 2016 Golf Limited SportWagen that we needed to replace from an accident. We had no problems with the SportWagen until the accident, and the safety features were very reliable. We also liked VW Carnet since we travelled and could check the car. We would receive messages on the car status, and could also lock the car remotely if we forgot. We did not plan to buy a VW GTI, but we were sold once we evaluated the technology and the base safety features. All versions of the 2024 GTI have power side mirrors, which we also need for a small garage space where we live. We were happy to skip buying a CVT, which was a new technology for us and stick with VW. The GTI is also extremely comfortable.
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2024 GTI 380 SE
I've only owned this car for a couple weeks, but I'll say I'm amazed by the handling. Just when you think you're taking a corner a little fast, you realize that you can give it some more. It has lots of power compared to an average car, but compared to a sports car like a STI or mustang gt, the GTI really isn't that impressive, although throw some twisties in the track and I bet the GTI would smoke both those cars. For $40k I think it's an exellent value and I'm glad I bought it.
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I truly enjoy this car!
I have been the fortunate owner of far too many performance cars and have long coveted the GTI. When I learned that the manual transmission was being eliminated for 2025, I knew it was now or never. I purchased a 2024 380 SE last month. The adjustable dampers, smooth shifter, low end torque, and supportive seats all make for fantastic driving dynamics. Entrance and egress are easy. The GTI exudes classic teutonic quality. The plaid seat fabric is essential, and the ambient lights complete the package. My only modification has been the addition of a clutch stop to take up the pedal dead space. Highly recommend this adjustment. I truly enjoy this car!
love this car almost as much my '83 Rabbit GTI
Let's get this out of the way right out of the gate. The haptic touch controls are frustrating at first but having driven this now for about 6 months, they seem very common place and I do not have to think about using them. To be honest, I set the temp control to 70 and never really have to touch it. I use the radio controls on the steering wheel and that is about all I usually have to do. This car really comes alive at just above 2100 RPM where the torque really comes into its own. This care nearly drives itself and I am really happy I got the autobahn 380 to have the manual. Love moving the gears myself! There just are not many manual equipped cars available anymore. This car is smooth and powerful and very forgiving when driving. Handles terrific and has way more room than it looks like it should when viewing from outside the car. A downside is even in 6th gear, still turning nearly 3000 RPM at 75 MPH and feels like it needs a 7th gear. I live in the rural North Georgia mountains and just drive this for fun. My usual car is a Ford f150 so haven't really driven on any interstate long distance drives so I can't comment on how the car is for long periods of sitting and driving. I did have a choice of any performance car in this class and chose to go back to Volkswagen due to the memory of my old beloved Rabbit GTI. This care is just as fun but so much more refined. I love it.
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The Last of the Great "WhoooHooo's"!!!
I found my experience with the 2024 GTI 380 S to be somewhat disappointing, despite its impressive performance and sporty appeal. While the fuel efficiency was commendable, achieving 45 MPG on a recent trip, the absence of Apple CarPlay and the frequent need for tire and rim replacements have detracted from my overall satisfaction with the vehicle. The lack of a "wow factor" in comparison to the marketing hype surrounding this heritage edition has left me feeling underwhelmed. The constant concern over potential tire damage from California roads has added a layer of frustration to my ownership experience. In light of these issues, my enjoyment of the GTI has been somewhat dampened. I am giving this car 4 stars our of 5 because in 7 months of car ownership I have had to spend over $1500.00 replacing wheels and tires.
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Fun to drive, very athletic!
Bought my VW GTI 380S this May once I heard the 6 speed manual was being discontinued. Test drove some BMWs 2's and 4's but the GTI was just so much lighter and fun in a stick. Feels like a rocket and if you're easy it returns a decent gas mileage. Power is more than enough and I added a Borla exhaust to it for some character. Minor annoyance is the clutch is a little tricky to get smooth shifts from 1st to 2nd and 3rd. Still getting the feel for the right pedal travel. Many online reviews have complained about the capacitive touch on the steering wheel and it's not great but it's not bad either. I have the small center display for the S trim and still have a real volume knob but I just use the touch on the steering wheel. Really good performance from the engine, excellent brakes, sticky summer tires and the suspension for me (I'm old) is bumpy even on the softest setting. It has selective dampers which is really nice for this model. The only thing I gripe would be it has a lot of std features except proximity door locks. It has a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting but no keyless door locks... It even has power folding mirrors. Otherwise it's a hoot to drive and makes me have a smile everytime I drive it...
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With the suspension shipping blocks removed …
… it’s an amazing car. Be advised, it’s not always done and in my case I had to check and do it myself! My only complaints are around the lack of knobs/buttons requiring everything be done through the touch screen. Which, unfortunately, has no lighting for the few sliders that are associated with the screen. Huge oversight!
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2024 GTI 380 Autobahn
I bought my 2024 GTI 380 Autobahn new in January of 2025. I went for a '24 as it's the last year the GTI will be available as a manual, which was a nonnegotiable. I've had the car just over a month at the time of this writing, and it's been an absolute blast. The acceleration, handling, and braking are excellent. My previous car is a 2023 Camaro SS 1LE. While the GTI doesn't approach that car's performance, I don't feel like I've given up any of the fun. Not to mention I'm now spending a fraction of what I was on fuel! The infotainment system is okay. I would prefer having physical buttons, but the haptic buttons, particularly those on the steering wheel, function just fine once you're used to them. The only thing that's truly aggravating is that the haptic sliders at the bottom edge of the screen aren't backlit, which is a real oversight on VW's part. In all, though, I find the complaints about the infotainment system to be seriously overblown. If you're looking to get in on the last of the manual hot hatches and you see one available at your local dealer, jump on it. You won't be disappointed.
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24 GTI S
This car is very nimble which why I like the model, it’s my 3rd GTI. I dislike the wired Apple Car Play.
Fun to drive
If one wants a car fun to drive and satisfies daily commute as well, GTI is a perfect candidate. Because it is a hatchback, sometimes it is easier to carry bulky stuff than a traditional car. I owned three vws, none of them had any significant reliability issues. So I am confident to buy the fourth vw car.
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