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2024 VW GTI: Changes, Release Date & Price – I was fortunate enough to have a week behind the wheel of the 2023 GTI, and I have to say that the performance of this hot hatch did not fall short of my expectations. Once I got out onto the highway, that’s when I realized how much I appreciated the flexible suspension and the smooth clutch that let me get through the city traffic. Because of its rapid acceleration, the Volkswagen GTI is an excellent companion for squeezing between other vehicles.
In general, I felt the materials and decor of the cabin were acceptable for the price, giving it an air of high sophistication. Despite the fact that I enjoyed the digital gauge cluster, the infotainment system was the most significant issue I discovered. The menus have an excessive number of steps that must be completed in order to access some options, and the touch-sensitive haptic buttons are much too responsive. I brushed the buttons inadvertently a few times, which caused the settings to need to be readjusted.
Changes
New external lighting for the 2024 VW GTI marks the beginning of the model’s second year in its present configuration. Now, the performance LED headlights, LED fog lights, and active cornering lights are all standard equipment on every model.
The GTI is a hatchback vehicle with four doors and seating for five people. Good headroom is available for passengers seated in the back thanks to the relatively low and level roofline.
The GTI has a maximum load capacity of 34.5 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded down, which is an increase over the standard 19.9 cubic feet. Although the GTI is undeniably more adaptable than a sedan, it does not have the carrying capacity of a utility-focused hatchback or a compact crossover vehicle.
Only an automated emergency braking system as well as front and rear parking sensors are standard on the S trim level. The SE trim level is significantly more desirable since it comes standard with advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic warning and road sign recognition. In addition, the Autobahn comes standard with a head-up display, automatic highlights, and an automated parking system.
The S comes standard with an infotainment system that has a touchscreen measuring 8.25 inches, seven speakers, high-definition radio, four USB ports, wireless device charging, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A 10-inch system with navigation, nine Harman Kardon speakers, satellite radio, and wireless phone integration is included in both the SE and Autobahn trim levels.
Engine
Every single GTI is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is capable of producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A manual gearbox with six speeds comes standard on all of the trim levels, while an automatic transmission with seven speeds may be purchased for an additional $800. The GTI is equipped with a limited-slip differential that is electronically locked, front-wheel drive, configurable driving modes, a sport-tuned suspension, and selectable driving modes. The EPA estimates that the GTI will get 25 miles per gallon in the city, 34 miles per gallon on the highway, and 28 combined miles per gallon.
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 2023 Volkswagen 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. When we put a Golf GTI equipped with an automatic transmission through our rigorous testing procedure, which included driving at 75 miles per hour on a highway fuel efficiency route, it outperformed the EPA’s estimate and delivered 38 miles per gallon.
When It Will Be Available and Its Cost?
The S, the SE, the Autobahn, and a special edition will make up the Golf GTI lineup for the 2024 model year. The base model S has a starting price of $30,180 and comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you choose the S trim level, getting the DSG automatic with seven speeds will cost you an additional $800. The destination charge of $1,095 is not included in this total.
If not earlier, we anticipate the 2024 GTI will make its debut in the showrooms of dealerships somewhere during the fourth quarter of this year. Despite the fact that there is a scarcity of inventory, the 2023 GTI models can still be available at dealerships around the country; however, those who want the most up-to-date and advanced GTI will have to wait.