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2022 Volkswagen GTI review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

Volkswagen GTI highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

Pros

  • Fun to drive
  • Roomy interior
  • High-quality materials in interior

Cons

  • Controls can be frustrating to use
  • Cupholders are small and awkwardly placed
  • The touchscreen can be a bit laggy

Mileage (EPA estimate)

24 city, 34 highway, 28 combined

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The 2022 Volkswagen GTI is fully redesigned

The 2022 Volkswagen GTI marks the start of the hatchback's eighth generation. But if you liked previous versions of the GTI, you'll likely dig this one too. Volkswagen polished and improved upon the previous GTI's blend of practicality and performance, resulting in a hatchback that's as fun to drive as it is functional.

The GTI is the performance version of the Volkswagen Golf, which was last sold in the United States in 2021. But don't let its sporty attributes fool you: The GTI is a great option for hauling people and their stuff.

The interior of the GTI has high-quality materials and spacious seating. But the controls for the air and heat are frustrating to use, and those touchscreen-esque controls are found throughout the cabin. Voice controls are excellent: A natural-sounding command like "my feet are cold" leads to warm air blowing on your feet.

All Volkswagen GTI years

What is new for the 2022 Volkswagen GTI?

  • GTI trims have been upgraded with Heated Steering Wheel, Memory Seat(s), A/C Seat(s), Head Up Display, Rear Seat Heaters, Harman Kardon Sound, and CD Audio as standard equipment this year.
  • The S trim now comes with Lane Departure Warning and Automated Cruise Control as standard equipment.
  • The SE trim now comes with Lane Departure Warning, Power Seat(s), and Automated Cruise Control as standard equipment.

2022 Volkswagen GTI trims

Curious how Volkswagen GTI trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

S:

  • 241-hp, 273-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
  • Cruise Control
  • Cloth Seats
  • Power Mirrors
  • Traction Control
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Rear View Camera
  • Parking Sensors
  • View our Volkswagen GTI S inventory

SE:

Autobahn:

What We Like 

  • Great performance: The GTI comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets 241 horsepower. Accelerating from a stoplight or making a tight merge onto a highway won't be a problem for this Volkswagen. 

  • Impressive tech: The voice-activated controls work great in the GTI, and wireless Apple CarPlay® along with Android Auto™ are standard features. The advanced driver aids are equally impressive. The adaptive cruise control works smoothly, and blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and other aids all work well. 

  • Comfortable ride: The GTI pleasantly blends performance with comfort. The available adaptive suspension makes for an even more comfortable ride, though the GTI is comfy without it.  

What Needs Improvement 

  • Frustrating touch controls: The GTI has what Volkswagen calls capacitive touch buttons that function more like the screen of your smartphone than the buttons and knobs you're used to. These buttons are frustrating to use and it's very easy to press them accidentally.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4 out of 5

1 customer reviews

RepairPal reliability rating

3
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Volkswagen GTI an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Volkswagen GTI 44th out of 46 among Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen GTI features and specs

Curious how Volkswagen GTI trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

S 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Manual Transmission
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine

Optional Features

  • Rear Spoiler

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.0L

Horsepower

241

Torque (ft-lbs)

273

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

13.2

Wheelbase

103.5"

Overall length

168.9"

Width

70.4"

Height

57.6"

Leg room

F 41.2"/R 35"

Head room

F 38.4"/R 38.1"

Front tires

P225/40HR18

Rear tires

P225/40HR18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Manual 6

2022 Volkswagen GTI FAQ

Volkswagen GTI articles

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