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2023 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)

23 city, 32 highway, 27 combined

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The 2023 Volkswagen GTI is sporty and practical

The 2023 Volkswagen GTI offers a great 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 2023 GTI celebrates the Golf's 40th anniversary with a special 40th Anniversary Edition trim limited to 1,500 models. A couple of small trim adjustments, including cloth seats becoming standard on the SE trim, are all the changes the GTI receives.

The interior of the GTI has high-quality materials and spacious seating. But touchscreen-like controls for the air and heat (and other functions) are frustrating to use. On the other hand, 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 2023 Volkswagen GTI?

  • The GTI is available in a new trim called the 40th Anniversary.
  • GTI trims have been upgraded with Rear Defroster and Panoramic Sunroof as standard equipment this year.
  • Full Roof Rack features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The SE trim now comes with Cloth Seats as standard equipment.

2023 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
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Power Mirrors
  • Traction Control
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Rear View Camera
  • Parking Sensors
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • View our Volkswagen GTI S inventory

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

5 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

Autobahn 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • A/C Seat(s)
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Harman Kardon Sound
  • Head Up Display
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Navigation System
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine

Optional Features

  • Full Roof Rack

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

103.6"

Overall length

168.8"

Width

70.4"

Height

57.6"

Leg room

F 41.2"/R 35"

Head room

F 38.5"/R 38.1"

Front tires

P235/35YR19

Rear tires

P235/35YR19

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2023 Volkswagen GTI FAQ

Volkswagen GTI articles

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