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2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
GolfGolf GTIGolf RGolf GTI All GenerationsNew202320222021Used2020201920182017201620152022 $29,880 - $39,130 Price Range (MSRP) Build and Price 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI For Sale Best Hot Hatches Best Turbocharged Hatchbacks Volkswagen Hatchbacks Volkswagen Sports Cars Volkswagen Small Cars Review Exterior Interior Trims & Specs Performance Safety & Reliability 62 Photos Compare insurance prices: Save an average of $440 Free Quote 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Test Drive Review Rage Against The Dying Of The Light
by Jake Lingeman Few hot hatches command the same respect as the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The hot hatch segment is dying in the USA, we've been hearing that for years now, and it's true. They've been trampled by crossovers and SUVs, which offer more space, close to the same fuel economy, a commanding driving position, and easier exit and entry. But the Golf GTI is one of the stalwarts of the segment, entering its eighth generation for the 2022 model year and continuing a long legacy that spans decades. It's not alone in the segment as Hyundai still sells the Veloster N, while the Honda Civic Type R is now overpowered and playing in Golf R territory. The regular Golf hatchback isn't on the menu for an American audience in Mk8 guise, but the GTI lives on, retaining the Mk7's EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, now making 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are up from the last iteration by 13 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque. As before, the GTI remains a FWD hot hatch, with power routed through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The dynamic chops are better than ever, but a new, flashy infotainment system is threatening to make the user experience painful through a lack of knobs and physical controls. Read in this review
Exterior Design 10 /10 Performance 9 /10 Fuel Economy 7 /10 Interior & Cargo 10 /10 Infotainment & Features 10 /10 Reliability 8 /10 Safety 10 /10 Value For Money 10 /10 9.2 What is BuzzScore? 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Changes What s the difference vs 2021 Golf GTI
The new Golf GTI is the eight-generation of its kind but isn't an entirely different beast from the Mk7 that preceded it. Underneath you get the same MQB chassis and the same 2.0-liter turbo engine, albeit with more power this time around. The exterior styling is immediately identifiable but features a more dramatic aesthetic with resculpted LED headlights, extruded LED daytime running lights, and a chequered-flag design for the front fogs. The interior now features VW's Innovision Cockpit with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and an available 10-inch infotainment/navigation screen.
Pros and Cons
Beautiful balanceLots of mid-range torquePractical interiorStylish cabin Not the quickest performance hatchIt will always live in the shadow of the Golf RFussy infotainment system Best Deals on 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE $39,991 13,258 miles 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE $37,999 502 miles 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE $38,991 6,722 miles Fair Deal Average price 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE $38,467 9,377 miles Fair Deal Average price See All Golf GTI For Sale 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Trims
See trim levels and configurations: Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP) S 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 6-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic Front-Wheel Drive $29,880 SE 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 6-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic Front-Wheel Drive $34,630 Autobahn 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 6-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic Front-Wheel Drive $38,330 See All 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Trims and Specs Handling and Driving Impressions
We tested the 2022 GTI in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding area just outside of trendy Asheville, North Carolina, and found it perfectly suited to the tight, medium-speed, twisty backroads. The front-wheel-drive GTI features a coil-spring suspension with antiroll bars front and back. The models we tested had the company's adaptive damping too, along with its XDS electronic differential lock. All of that makes the GTI turn in quickly, without much body movement. The steering is weighted nicely, but there isn't a lot of road feel. Grip is high courtesy of new 19-inch wheels shod in Bridgestone Potenza tires, and with that front differential, the GTI is rapid when exiting corners. As the weight (and grip) shifts to the outside front wheel, more power is fed to it, virtually pushing the car in towards the apex. In the sportier modes, besides the suspension getting stiffer, the stability control and locking differential let the driver have more freedom to slip around before jumping in and saving them. There is one weird thing that we'd like to mention here. It's about the lane assist system. It's activated when the car is turned on and normally gives you a little nudge if you're exiting the lane. On these fast, curvy roads it would "see" the turn coming and push you closer to the inside. We'll grant that it did actually help a few times, but more often surprised us as we were setting up for the corner. As for the adaptive dampers, there was a little more bounciness in Sport mode than in Normal or Comfort, but it was barely noticeable. Those drive modes, changed with a button under the infotainment screen, changing the steering weight, throttle programming, and shift algorithms on the automatic cars. Now Buzzing First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Auctions One-Off Plymouth Barracuda Four-Door Is A Muscle Car Unicorn Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile Verdict Is the New Volkswagen Golf GTI Hatchback a good car
The 2022 Golf GTI is the first model year of the new eighth-generation hatch, but because VW has refined this thing dozens of times over more than 40 years, that doesn't worry us. It's the hatchback that debatably created the hot hatch market and for that alone it deserves a long hard look. We'll admit that although there are a smaller number of these cars on the market, they're the best they've ever been. The evolved EA888 engine makes it worth the cost of admission, with almost the perfect amount of power for tons of fun on the street without stopping at a gas station every few blocks. With that in mind, the combination of space and utility in this GTI, plus the price and fun factor, put this car on our shortlist of daily drivers if we were buying today. One question we have to ask ourselves is this, is the Mk8 GTI really much better than the Mk7? Handling-wise, yes, it's purer and feels more organic, but the materials are now flimsy, the tech is overly complex, and you still pay top-dollar for a car that now feels cheaper than before. Check out other Volkswagen Golf Styles
Golf Compare Golf R Compare 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Comparisons
CarBuzz Volkswagen 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Honda Civic Si Sedan
Honda offers two performance versions of the Civic. We're still waiting for the new-generation Type R to officially debut, but until then, the performance torch is borne by the Civic Si Sedan. The 2022 Civic Si Sedan is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine producing 200 horses and 192 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual. Its smaller engine capacity helps it beat the GTI in terms of fuel economy with figures of 30 mpg combined to the GTI's 28 mpg effort. But that's the only performance benefit the Honda has, as its deficit in displacement, power, and torque show that it really isn't in the same league as the GTI is. Honda knows this, which is why it costs only $27,300, more than $2,000 less than the base GTI. It's a softer experience on road but has benefits in terms of more rear passenger space and a more intuitive infotainment system. Ultimately, you buy the GTI for its outright performance, while the Civic Si is a more subdued option for those who enjoy spirited driving but don't make it the crux of their buying decision. For us, the GTI reigns supreme in this competition. See Honda Civic Si Sedan Review 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Volkswagen Golf R
There was a time when the GTI was the elite performance VW, but that role now belongs to the mighty Golf R. This AWD beast punches above its weight division and is the car to go for if you want all-out performance. A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine also powers the Golf R but produces 315 hp and up to 295 lb-ft of torque if you select the DSG transmission. You get 280 lb-ft with the manual. Because power is sent to all four wheels, the R is an entirely different animal on the road; it hooks up and launches out of the hole with anger, and loves to cling on in the bends, no matter the speed. The R will launch to 60 mph in the mid-four-second range. It gets standard adaptive dampers, and the AWD system has torque vectoring and a Drift mode. Inside, you can expect the same cabin layout and general tech with unique trim options to set this car apart from the regular GTI. Price-wise, the R starts at $43,645, making it circa $14k more expensive. If we had the money, we'd go for the R every day of the week. If you're looking for a hot hatch, why not go for the hottest one there is? See Volkswagen Golf R Review 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Popular Comparisons
The most popular competitors of 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI: Mazda 3 Sedan $21,150 - $33,450 Price (MSRP) Compare Mini Cooper Clubman $29,900 - $32,900 Price (MSRP) Compare Honda CR-Z $20,295 - $25,090 Price (MSRP) Compare Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop $32,400 Price (MSRP) Compare Toyota GR Corolla TBC Price (MSRP) Compare See All 5 Comparisons 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Video Reviews
Check out some informative Volkswagen Golf GTI video reviews below. Everything You Need To Know About The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI BEFORE You Buy
Everything You Need To Know About The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI BEFORE You Buy Did Volkswagen RUIN The 2022 Golf GTI? (Ultimate Infotainment Test) Volkswagen Golf GTI News
Interior 12 Volkswagen Says It Will Put Buttons Back On Steering Wheels The German automaker has admitted that touch capacitive steering controls aren't great. Technology 1 Volkswagen Group Will Use Quantum Computers To Design Next-Gen Electric Car Batteries Don't worry. It's not as evil as it sounds. Video 0 Legendary VW Tuner Gives Golf R The Bark To Match Its Bite The latest Golf R is massively capable but a bit conservative. Oettinger's new aerodynamic kit should remedy the problem. LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top