2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

History/Overview

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is very nearly the perfect car, if you ask us, combining a hard-to-beat combination of performance and practicality in its hatchback shape.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2022, the Golf GTI is all-new and enters its eighth generation in the Canadian marketplace. It’s joined by the even quicker Golf R, which is covered in a separate buyer’s guide entry. If you haven’t heard the news, these are now your only options for the Golf in Canada, as VW has discontinued the Golf’s base TSI model for North America.

Available Trims

The 2022 VW Golf GTI comes in base, Autobahn, and Performance trims. All use a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine, and either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic.

Standard Features

Key standard kit in the base GTI includes 17-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, passive keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats and steering wheel, automatic A/C, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, seven-speaker audio, wireless phone charging, digital gauges, collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

Autobahn configuration adds adaptive headlights, 18-inch wheels, 10.0-inch infotainment, navigation, satellite radio, and road sign recognition.

Performance trim brings 19-inch wheels, adaptive damping suspension, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, power driver’s seat, three-zone A/C, a nine-speaker stereo, head-up display, automatic high beams, and park assist.

Fuel Economy

Volkswagen’s fuel consumption estimates are 9.8/6.9 L/100 km (city/highway) with the six-speed stickshift, and 9.3/7.0 L/100 km with the seven-speed automatic transmission.

Key Options

Base and Autobahn models can be optioned with a package of a panoramic sunroof and larger wheels; the sunroof is a stand-alone extra in Performance trim. Autobahn also offers a premium stereo as a solo option.

Competition

The VW Golf GTI faces off with the Hyundai Veloster N and Honda Civic Type R.