2022 Volkswagen Golf: Choosing the Right Trim

Sporting a total redesign, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the high-performance Golf R blast into 2022.

Volkswagen discontinued the plain-Jane Golf, with 2021 being its last model year.

That leaves only the eighth-generation Golf GTI and fourth-generation Golf R to carry on the nameplate in the United States.

Exterior styling changes remain within the bounds of the traditional Golf design. Evolution rather than revolution.

VW tweaked the front end with new LED headlights accenting a more steeply raked hood. The Golf GTI and Golf R are somewhat differentiated by their bumpers and a few other styling touches.

Their exterior dimensions also vary by fractions of an inch. Inside, where it counts, passenger space doesn’t vary.

Although tuned differently for the Golf GTI and Golf R, both source their go from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. In the GTI, it churns out 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.

Either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed automatic transmission hustle engine output to the front wheels.

Opting for the 7-speed automatic will set you back $800, no matter the model.

With a manual transmission, the GTI is rated by the EPA at 24 miles per gallon city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. With the automatic, it’s 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg highway.

The new Golf R, when equipped with a manual transmission, is rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. With the automatic, the fuel economy gets even better: 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined.

All Golf GTI grades come with the electronically controlled torque-sensing limited-slip VAQ differential, engineered to optimize grip and handling in the corners.

The butched-up Golf R version of the 2.0-liter turbo-4 generates 315 hp and 295-lb-ft of torque. Also using a 6-speed manual or the 7-speed automatic transmission, the tranny delivers the grunt to all four wheels (AWD) in the Golf R.

On the road, the new 2022 Volkswagen GTI impresses with its agility, refinement, and excellent practicality. With its added power, all-wheel drive, sportier suspension tuning, and wild features such as a drift mode, the new Golf R makes for even bigger grins.

Volkswagen offers the Golf GTI in three trim levels: S, SE, and Autobahn. The Golf R stands alone as a single, big-dog grade.

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S (starting at $29,545)

Every Golf GTI grade is well equipped. The S comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights (headlights with auto on-off, taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights), and heated outboard power mirrors with memory and puddle lamps.

Also standard are a push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, perforated-leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, and heated front seats.

The Digital Cockpit Pro, with its 10.25-inch display, allows drivers to customize the information they receive.

Infotainment features include an 8.25-inch touchscreen, a 7-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and four USB-C ports.

Standard driver aids come in the form of the I.Q.DRIVE with Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), forward-collision warning with emergency braking, and Active Blind Spot Monitor.

Other I.Q.DRIVE tech includes adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive front lighting system, and park assist.

Adding the $995 destination fee to the GTI S base price totals $30,540. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $549. See the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S models for sale

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S Includes:

• Digital Cockpit Pro – Turing on the ignition brings this 10.25-inch digital cluster to life. Fully customizable, it can display a variety of information.
• I.Q.DRIVE – A full suite of driver aids, it features a hands-on-the-wheel, eyes-on-the-road automated driving, forward-collision warning with emergency braking, park assist, and more.
• Active Blind Spot Monitor – Not only does it warn of vehicles on your flanks, but will actively steer to keep you from changing lanes.

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE (starting at $34,295)

Building on the GTI S content, the SE adds a power sunroof, Adaptive Front-Lighting System, Active Cornering fog lights, keyless entry, and a navigation system.

Also included in the SE price are a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless App-Connect for compatible devices, Car-Net with Wi-Fi capability, and satellite radio capability.

Volkswagen offers two SE option packages. Adding leather seating, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory will set you back $1,225.

Add 18-in. gloss black wheels for $395.

Adding the $995 destination fee to the SE base price brings the total to $35,290. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% works out to $634 per month. See the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE models for sale

2022 Volkswagen GTI SE Includes:

• Adaptive Front Lighting System – The LED headlights automatically turn, following the steering angle to illuminate the bend in a curve.
• App-Connect – In this case, wireless App-Connect allows apps on your smartphone to be transmitted to your car’s infotainment system.
• Car-Net – An interface app, it allows your smartphone and car to connect. It can do many things, from locking or unlocking the car’s doors to creating a geofence for your teen driver.

2022 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn (starting at $37,995)

Adding to the SE’s standard content, the Autobahn grade brings with it 19-inch alloy wheels, DCC adaptive damping, upgraded leather seating, and a heated rear seat.

Also included in the Autobahn base price are a 12-way power driver’s seat with memory, tri-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat controls, a head-up display, high-beam assist, and Park Assist.

Adding the $995 destination fee to the Autobahn base price totals $38,990. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $701 per month. Find a Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn for sale. See the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn models for sale

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn Includes:

• DCC active damping – Monitoring speed and surface conditions, this active damping system constantly updates the level of damping to accommodate the conditions.
• Tri-zone auto climate control – Allows you to set separate temperatures for the right, left, and rear zones of the car. A set-and-forget system, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.
• Head-up display – Projecting key information for the driver onto the windshield removes the driver’s need to look away from the road to check speed and other issues.

2022 Volkswagen Golf R (starting at $43,645)

In addition to the more powerful engine, the Golf R gets a new 4Motion AWD system as standard. It’s armed with rear-axle torque vectoring.

Not only can it send as much as 100 percent of the torque to the rear axle, but it can also then send torque back and forth across the rear axle to put up to 100 percent to one rear wheel.

The Golf R also gets unique styling cues, Nappa leather sport seats, and 14-in. cross-drilled front brake rotors with blue-painted dual-piston calipers.

Otherwise, the Golf R is contented much like the GTI Autobahn.

Adding the $995 destination fee to the Golf R’s base price brings the total to $44,640. Financing that amount with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $802 per month. Find a Volkswagen Golf R for sale. See the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R models for sale

2022 Volkswagen Golf R Includes:

• Park Assist – Driver supervised, this is a self-parking program for parallel and diagonal parking.
• 4Motion – VW speak for AWD. The Golf R application provides rear axle torque vectoring, allowing as much as 100 percent of torque to go to a single rear wheel.
• Cross-drilled rotors – Cross-drilled, these rotors provide holes allowing heat between the rotor and brake pad to escape.