Used 2012 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
My first VW
stlpilot, Saint Charles, MO, 05/13/2017
2012 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
I am writing this review after driving this GTI for a full two years. I purchased this car slightly used with 20k miles on it after driving a Camry for over ten years. After two years of owning it, it still puts a smile on my face while I drive it. It is a lot of fun to drive and surprisingly it has a lot of utility for such a small car. The GTI is a fast and nimble car, performing … better at highway speeds and on twisty roads, than at low speeds. It is a great all around car, balancing the fun factor, with the ability to load it up with four or five people, and the ability to put down the seats and load it up at the Home Depot. I occasionally find new features on it and I'm constantly surprised how much I can put inside of it. The best features I like about it are: the sound system on my fully loaded GTI is amazing along with comfortable seats. Only few negatives, but keep in mind I owned a Toyota for ten years. As with any German car, this GTI is a little overengineered so simple car maintenance may be overcomplicated. The spark plugs and the DSG need to be maintained every 40k miles or so. Lastly, I'm not overly happy about putting premium fuel in my everyday car. Overall, this is neat car, which is super easy to park, with lots of power. I understand why there aren't too many GTIs on the road though - most Camry/Accord drivers would never appreciate a car engineered for the car enthusiasts.
This is an update to my original review. I'm currently at about 60k miles. I'm still extremely happy with the car. No mechanical issues. I highly recommend this car. At this point, my VW has been more reliable than the Toyota Camry I drove before. The fit and finish is excellent.
Another update on my 2012 GTI. The car has 63,000 miles and it still puts a smile on my face. I thought of trading the car in for something else but I just can't find anything wrong with this car. It continues to be a very solid car. Apparently, VWs made in Germany are much better than those made in Mexico.
Another update at 80k miles. The car is great. I recently had the carbon cleaned from the intake valves. No big deal but I do notice a much better mpg. The carbon build up is something normal on the GDI engines and the 2.0T is no exception even with me using premium fuel.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Hatchback versatility
- Pro:interior sophistication
- Pro:supple ride
- Pro:good fuel economy.
- Con:Competitors are quicker and handle better
- Con:lack of interior storage.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Volkswagen GTI Hatchback
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Volkswagen GTI in Ohio is:
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