2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Name: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $28,269 - $30,985

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI 40th Anniversary Edition 4dr Hatchback Exterior

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+236

The eighth-generation Volkswagen GTI isn't a dramatically different machine than the one it replaces. Instead of rethinking the GTI, Volkswagen's engineers have finely polished what made the GTI so good to begin with. It's fun to drive all the time thanks to a stout engine and sharp handling. It's comfortable and offers plenty of cargo space too. Frustrating controls and a high base price are its biggest flaws. But as a whole, the GTI is as charming as ever.

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* Starting MSRP of $31,965 for a 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2.0L TSI® with 7-speed DSG® transmission. Prices exclude transportation, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

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2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

40th Anniversary Edition trim added to lineup
Part of the eighth Golf GTI generation introduced for 2022

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.19 per gallon for regular unleaded in Michigan.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan

$147/mo

$166/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Volkswagen Golf GTI Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

27 reviews

5(67%)

4(19%)

3(7%)

2(0%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 VW GTI 40th Anniversary Edition

Michael, Oceanside, OR, 05/17/2023

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI 40th Anniversary Edition 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

I had been looking at the 2022 MK 8 since its arrival to the USA in late 2021. Here’s the deal. I only captured my first glance of one about three months ago, passing through the small town I live in. Whenever we went to the dealer, none were ever in stock. When I first read about the 2023 40th Anniversary Edition, I thought this might be the car for me. One of the area dealers showed a … pomelo yellow 40th inbound sometime in March or April, and the salesman kept me posted. We arrived at the dealer the day following its arrival, and when I first laid eyes on it, I was smitten - most beautiful automobile I’d seen in my life! So we took it for a test-drive, and with the adaptive dampers, placed it in comfort mode. While the ride was a little stiffer than my 2017 Golf, the GTI felt incredible. I quickly got used to the clutch and six speed manual shift feel. Quite frankly, though, I was concerned about the infotainment system, as there had been so many complaints about it in the reviews I read. Well, despite the fact I’m an old guy, almost 67 years old, I found using this intuitive, and not the deal-killer I thought it might be. Since the 40th AE is based on the GTI S, it still has a volume control knob, and the climate control is easy-peasy. So not the nightmare I expected. However, I do NOT like the new GTI fuel gauge, please, make it electronic if you will, but give me a traditional looking one, not a straight line that’s tiny like this, then reads out mileage until empty. The other thing I dislike is the inability to easily set a trip meter. What I do like is you have two or three viable options as to how you want your instrument cluster to look. And the color changes you can make inside your car is cool, too. Three other disappointments: no Sirius/XM capability (VW, shame on you cheapskates), and no storage bin under the driver’s seat, and no wireless phone connectivity on the 40th AE (again, shame on you, VW for eliminating this - should be standard on the entire lineup). Those complaints aside, I decided to buy the car and have little regret. Our dealer offered a 10 year unlimited mileage warranty including repair of electronics and replacement of wheels and tires should they incur damage (some of the roads in our area are horrible) which I would recommend. The 40th AE has the 19 inch wheels with 35 profile tires, so there’s little rubber between you and the road. I’ve driven over 1,000 miles in the month I’ve owned it and feel good about the fuel mileage. I’ve gotten up to 37.1 mpg, but I suspect on a long haul I could get 40 mpg on this vehicle. I love the feel of the road, love the cornering, and love the acceleration. I see all these younger guys on YouTube modifying their GTI’s, and quite frankly, there’s no need for that - performance is stellar - you’ll never want for power or have a need for greater cornering ability unless you’re a weekend racer. I plan to leave mine stock (maybe it will be the only one in the country left as it came from the factory). I like the look and feel of the interior, do not object to the materials used, either. Mine has been tight as a drum and rattle-free, even on rough pavement. The fit and finish of both interior and exterior seems perfect to me - something I’ve appreciated about VW over the years. In order to protect my investment, I had a local shop apply Paint Protective Film on the front grill, headlights, front badge, hood, front fenders, A pillars, front door sills, roof, and the top of the rear bumper (where you load cargo) to prevent scratches and rock chips. I think this is wise, no matter the car you drive, as it will reduce if not eliminate damage to your paint. VW has excellent paint by the way, and this pomelo yellow color is just incredible - looks green in some light, sometimes yellow, and what an attention-getter! This is my retirement vehicle that I plan to drive until I cannot drive anymore. Did I make the right choice? Time will tell. I’m happy so far, and I’ve a unique car (quite likely the only one in my entire state) that doesn’t look like all the Japanese and South Korean clones out there. I’ve never had a problem with VW reliability and suspect this new GTI will be no different. Is the GTI the right car for you? Only one way to find out. Drive one. Look it over. But I will warn you, they’re hard to find. They pretty much sell as soon as dealers get them in stock. If my wife and I had passed on buying this one, three other buyers behind me were chomping at the bit, disappointed that we were the ones who left the dealer with it in our possession. So how would I rate it on a scale of 1-10? I’d say about an 8.5 - 9, with my only complaints being the ones I’ve already mentioned. I am a satisfied owner!

Still a fun car to drive!

Mike, 01/10/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I had the MK7 and now the MK8 GTI and I am really impressed with the performance of this car, also the touch screen and haptic controls are really easy to use once you know where everything is.

Sad but true

M, 01/08/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I’ll really like everything about the car’s chassis, engine, motor, and interior. I dislike the overly complex infotainment system with no mobs for radio or HVAC. It’s hard to concentrate on driving with this system. Hopefully they will add some physical knobs since it seems to be universally abhorred.

One Last Ride

Charlie Egan, 03/25/2023

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Straight opinion: it’s fantastic! 1. Feels new while also familiar 2. Noticeably more power 3. Haptic buttons and infotainment mechanics are just fine. After owning and loving my MK7.5 for four and half years, I jumped on the opportunity to purchase a 2023 GTI, as there were and are very few available in our area. The exterior looks fantastic in person. The interior is very clean, …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf GTI since its last redesign.

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2023 Golf GTI Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$30,530
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$147/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Golf GTI models:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns the driver if a front collision, including with a pedestrian, seems imminent. If needed, it can apply automatic emergency braking.
High-Beam Controls: Automatically switches the GTI's high-beam headlights on or off depending on oncoming traffic.
Lane Keeping Assistance: Uses a flashing light to warn the driver of vehicles in blind spots. Can also apply steering to nudge the vehicle back into its lane.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Price & Payment

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.19 per gallon for regular unleaded in Michigan.}

Volkswagen Golf GTI Reviews

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2023 VW GTI 40th Anniversary Edition

Still a fun car to drive!

Sad but true

One Last Ride

2023 Golf GTI Highlights

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2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Price & Payment

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.19 per gallon for regular unleaded in Michigan.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 VW GTI 40th Anniversary Edition

Still a fun car to drive!

Sad but true

One Last Ride

2023 Golf GTI Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.19 per gallon for regular unleaded in Michigan.}