The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the last of a quickly dying breed. Still thriving in the “hot hatch” category it invented, the GTI continues to deliver exhilarating performance in a versatile 5-door design loaded with modern features at a reasonable price. The Golf R takes the formula further, offering more power and the sure-footed traction of 4Motion all-wheel drive.
Three trims make up the 2024 VW Golf GTI lineup: S, SE, and Autobahn. In a send-off marking the final year for its manual transmission, VW created a special GTI 380 equipment package specifically for manual transmission cars.
A limited number of challengers compete with the Golf GTI and Golf R. They include the Honda Civic Type R, Mazda3, Mini Cooper, and Toyota GR Corolla.
Let’s take a closer look and see which model tickles your fancy.
Prices are current at the time of publishing.
What’s New:
For 2024, the VW drops the 40th Anniversary GTI trim, adds power-folding side mirrors on all models, and a new wheel design for the SE trim. As this will be the final year that VW plans to offer the Golf with a manual transmission, the company adds a special GTI 380 package on all manual transmission models. The package adds a black roof cap, 19-inch black alloy wheels, adaptive damping, and a unique Graphite Gray Metallic paint option.
Our Recommendation:
Although we’d like the proximity keyless entry and upgraded infotainment system of the Golf GTI SE, we think the best value of the bunch is the Golf GTI S.
Golf GTI S
Starts at $31,765 | See listings
- 241-horsepower turbocharged engine
- 7-speed DSG automatic or 6-speed manual
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels
- Power-folding heated side mirrors
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitor
- Sport seats
- 10.25-inch configurable instrument cluster
- Ambient lighting
- See more
Golf GTI SE
Starts at $36,715 | See listings
- Panoramic sunroof
- Proximity key keyless entry
- 10-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Navigation
- Harman Kardon audio
- Traffic sign recognition
- See more
Golf GTI Autobahn
Starts at $40,305 | See listings
- Leather upholstery
- 12-way power driver’s seat
- Ventilated front seats
- Multi-mode DCC adaptive damping
- Tri-zone climate control
- Head-up display
- Parking Assist
- See more
Golf R
Starts at $45,455 | See listings
- 315-hp turbocharged engine
- 4Motion AWD
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Sport brakes
- Blue-painted calipers
- R Styling cues
- See more
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI S: $31,765 (DSG automatic), $32,485 (6-speed manual)
All Golf GTI trims use the same 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine running power to the front wheels. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic comes standard, but opting for the 380 S brings a 6-speed manual, unique 19-inch black alloy wheels, a black painted roof, a multi-mode DCC adaptive damping system, and one unique paint color: Graphite Gray Metallic. In a reversal of the norm, the 380 package makes the manual GTI more expensive than the automatic.
While the S and SE are neck and neck in the competition for best-selling GTI, we think the S is the best value among the GTI trims. It’s well equipped with features like rain-sensing wipers, push-button start, and a 10.25-inch configurable digital driver-information display. A big surprise is the multicolor adjustable ambient lighting.
Among the other standard fare are 18-inch alloy wheels and LED exterior lights (taillights, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, and daytime running lights). Also included are heated power-folding outboard mirrors with passenger-side reverse tilt-down, red-painted brake calipers, single-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel.
Heated washer nozzles, cloth-covered heated front sport seats with plaid inserts, manually adjustable front seats with power recline and manual lumbar support, four USB ports, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are also standard.
An 8.25-inch touchscreen oversees the infotainment system, including a 7-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Wireless charging is also standard.
Picking the automatic transmission gains you stop-and-go adaptive cruise control rather than the traditional adaptive cruise control. No matter the transmission, the GTI comes with other IQ.Drive technologies like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.
Also included are blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and front and rear park assist. Travel Assist, a semi-autonomous driver-assistance technology, can steer, accelerate, and brake the GTI.
Adding the $1,150 destination fee to the S base price brings the total to $32,915. With $0 down, financing for 60 months at 5% interest works out to about $621 per month. See 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI S models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI S includes:
Active Blind Spot Monitor — Besides warning you when other vehicles are flanking you in adjacent lanes, this system will nudge you back into your lane if you ignore the warning.
Digital Cockpit Pro — This is VW’s official name for the configurable 10.25-inch digital driver-information display.
Rain-sensing wipers — When the system senses moisture on the windshield, it automatically engages the wipers. The wiper speed adjusts according to the volume of the rain.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE: $36,715 (DSG automatic), $37,285 (6-speed manual)
Building on the S, the 2024 VW Golf GTI SE adds a power panoramic sunroof, proximity keyless entry, and an upgraded infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen, navigation, and satellite radio capability. Also included is a 9-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Traffic-sign assist joins the driver-aid technologies.
The $1,225 SE Leather Seats Package brings leather seating surfaces, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, and ventilated front seats.
Adding the delivery fee to the SE base price totals $37,865. With $0 down, financing for 60 months at 5% interest works out to about $715 per month. See 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE includes:
App-Connect — It allows smartphone apps to interface with the car’s infotainment system.
Proximity keyless entry — If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you approach the vehicle or touch the door handle. Push-button start pairs with proximity keyless entry.
Harman Kardon audio — This 9-speaker system includes a center speaker and subwoofer.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn: $40,305 (DSG automatic), $40,625 (6-speed manual)
In addition to gaining all the hardware of the SE’s Leather Package, the Autobahn adds 19-inch alloy wheels and the multi-mode DCC adaptive damping suspension.
Also included are tri-zone automatic climate control, heated rear outboard seats, a head-up display, and a high-beam assist. Parking steering assist that will steer your vehicle into a selected parking space is also standard with the Autobahn. However, operating the brake and accelerator while parking this GTI is still up to the driver.
Adding the $1,150 destination fee to the Autobahn base price totals $41,455. Using our $0 down scenario, the monthly payment works out to approximately $782. See 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn includes:
Tri-zone automatic climate control — This system allows independent temperatures in each by separating the GTI into three areas (front right, front left, and rear). It then maintains those temps.
High-beam assist — With this system, your high beams are always on. The system automatically switches the high beams off when photosensors detect oncoming headlights or taillights.
DCC adaptive damping — This multi-mode system has Normal, Sport, and Comfort settings that electronically regulate the shock absorbers accordingly.
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: $45,445 (6-speed manual), $46,255 (DSG automatic)
VW uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the AWD Golf R as the Golf GTI; however, the engineers have tuned it to deliver 315 hp.
With the 6-speed manual transmission, it generates 280 lb-ft of torque. This output increases to 295 lb-ft of torque when you pay for the 7-speed automatic. EPA combined fuel economy is 23 mpg with the manual and 26 mpg with the automatic.
Outfitted much like the Golf GTI Autobahn, the Golf R adds Nappa leather seating with blue accents, sport brakes with cross-drilled front rotors, blue-painted calipers, and other R styling cues. The potent Golf R also gets a unique grille, bumpers, side skirts, a 2-piece rear spoiler, and chrome-tipped quad exhaust.
Adding the $1,150 factory destination fee to the Golf R base price brings the total to $46,595. Putting $0 down and financing for 60 months at 5% interest works out to a monthly payment of about $879. See 2024 Volkswagen Golf R models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Golf R includes:
4Motion — This is VW-speak for AWD. Standard on the Golf R, 4Motion provides rear-axle torque vectoring, in which a multi-plate rear differential can send as much as 100% of the torque to an individual rear wheel for crisp cornering.
Cross-drilled rotors — These front rotors have a series of small holes that facilitate the escape of brake heat.
Golf R styling elements — Several unique Golf R styling elements are found in the grille, bumpers, and side skirts.
