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2024 VW Golf GTI: Will There be a 2024 VW GTI? – The Volkswagen Golf GTI was the first of its kind, and even though it has been around for decades, it is still the most delicious and enjoyable small vehicle to drive. It is the whipped cream on top of this sundae of little vehicles. The GTI had a facelift for the 2023 model year, which included a revised exterior style and more contemporary interior amenities. Despite these changes, it retains the fun-to-drive attitude that has helped it become a symbol of performance. Under the hood is a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2.0 liters and 241 horsepower. This engine sends power to the front wheels via either a seven-speed automatic or, as we prefer, a six-speed manual gearbox. Its passenger compartment is roomy in both the front and the rear, and much like every other GTI produced from the model’s introduction, it has a large amount of storage space concealed behind the hatchback door.
Whether you are new to rapid boxes-on-wheels or have been a dedicated GTI fan since the early days, this current iteration is as fun-loving as when the original first landed on our shores. Whether you are new to speedy boxes-on-wheels or have been a faithful GTI fan since the early days. Check out the Golf R (which has been evaluated separately) if you want a car that handles just as well as a GTI dialed up to eleven. It has 315 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and outstanding handling.
Redesign
The GTI’s recipe for a turbo front-wheel-drive sport compact was further developed into the Mk8. We put both the manual and the dual-clutch automatic versions of the hatchback through its paces, and regardless of which one we drove, we were blown away by how competent and enjoyable it was. Its modernized engine generates a good deal of torque, the chassis is unflinchingly neutral, it travels at a high rate of speed, and the steering and braking capabilities are both quite good. The storied personality of the hot hatch continues to thrive in modern times.
The muscular and contemporary external appearance of the 2024 GTI is one that we, too, find appealing. In point of fact, the hazy clutch feel on manual variants was about the only thing we didn’t like about the vehicle. This, along with the preponderance of capacitive controls and the overall absence of true buttons, was also a problem. To our great relief, the infotainment system of the basic model comes with real knobs for adjustment. The Volkswagen GTI, in any of its iterations, is a joy to drive and strikes an excellent mix between sportiness and usefulness in everyday life.
When considering which GTI model to purchase, we believe the SE, which sits in the middle of the lineup, offers the greatest value. You have the option of upgrading the basic six-speed manual transmission to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for an additional $800. We would rather shift for ourselves, so that we may avoid paying the additional fee. A 480-watt Karman/Hardon audio system, a stylish LED grille, upgraded infotainment systems, and a sunroof are some of the additions that come standard on the SE when compared to the base trim level. Additionally, it is able to be outfitted with leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and memory settings for the driver’s seat; however, in order to do so, the characteristic plaid pattern that is seen on the GTI’s fabric seats must be removed. We would never act in such a way.
The mechanically equivalent 2023 GTI was selected as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS in 2023. However, the headlight ratings varied from Acceptable to Poor depending on which pair of LED lights were on the car, despite the fact that it received good results across the board for the institute’s testing. These issues may be remedied by the alterations made to the lighting in 2024.
Volkswagen refers to the collection of active safety technologies that come standard on the GTI as IQ Drive. This package includes lane-keeping and centering systems, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The package does not include the technology such as adaptive high beams that come standard on the Autobahn trim, standard parking sensors, and a traffic sign recognition system that comes standard on the GTI SE. These technologies are also sold separately.
Engine
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque is found under the hood of the 2024 VW Golf GTI. Compared to its predecessor, this is a gain of 13 horsepower and 15 pound-feet, but the power is still sent to the front wheels through either the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
When we put a GTI equipped with an automatic transmission through its paces, it reached 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds, which was 0.7 seconds faster than an automatic-equipped Rabbit edition from the previous generation. We attribute the new GTI’s increased entertainment value on back roads and racing courses to its redesigned suspension, electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and brake-based torque vectoring. Not only is the new GTI faster in a straight line, but we also credit its improved handling to these features.
With its precise reactions and ride quality that is neither too hard nor too soft, the meticulously calibrated chassis of the Volkswagen merits more acclaim than ever before. The latter was experienced in a high-end edition of the Autobahn, which comes equipped with adjustable adaptive dampers as well as a pair of 19-inch wheels (the regular size is 18 inches) that are shod with summer tires. There is nothing that can put a damper on aggressive driving quite like a brake pedal that is too soft, but the GTI offers strong input and notable stopping power, bringing the hatchback to a stop from 70 miles per hour in only 151 feet.
The Golf GTI variant with the automatic gearbox has been rated as having the best fuel economy; it achieves an impressive 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the interstate. When driving in the city, selecting the six-speed manual transmission results in a loss of one mile per gallon of fuel efficiency. As part of our comprehensive testing protocol, we put a Golf GTI with an automatic transmission through its paces on a highway fuel-efficiency route that averages 75 miles per hour. The vehicle outperformed its EPA estimate and delivered 38 miles per gallon.
Interior
The inside of the Golf GTI has a design that is both more contemporary than in previous generations as well as some historic nods. The instrument panel is dominated by two huge displays, one of which is a 10.3-inch gauge cluster and the other of which is a 10.0-inch touchscreen. Both of these screens share a piano-black bezel. The three-spoke steering wheel that comes standard on the GTI has touch-sensitive buttons and a sharply curved rim. It’s bolstered front seats include red accents around their outside borders and characteristic plaid inserts on both the top and bottom cushions; both of these design elements have become a GTI signature throughout the years.
Unfortuitously, in contrast to the high-quality surroundings of the previous generation, the current generation’s interior is tarnished by a few shoddy finishes and harsh plastics. A lower cowl allows for a superior view of the road ahead, but we find that a straightforward analog gauge arrangement is easier to read and more comfortable to work with than an excessively customizable digital one. The new GTI gains an inch in total length and its wheelbase expands by 0.6 inches, both of which contribute to the vehicle’s already excellent capacity for carrying passengers and carrying baggage.
The infotainment system in the GTI is controlled by a touchscreen measuring a standard 10 inches. Unfortuitously, the primary mode of control consists of touch-sensitive sliders rather than the more conventional buttons and knobs. Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto are both included in this system, in addition to a handful of charging connections. These well-known mobile applications and menu hierarchies will assist to balance out the otherwise crowded and perhaps irritating user interface of the VW.