2020 Volkswagen GTI review
Volkswagen GTI highlights
Customer rating
(not yet rated)
Pros
- Sporty handling that's lots of fun
- Lots of space for passengers and cargo
- Optional adaptive suspension to improve comfort
- Interior materials look and feel great
Cons
- Higher trim levels only add style, not performance
- Parking sensors can be a little too sensitive
Mileage (EPA estimate)
24 city, 31 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Sporty, fun, and practical hatchback.
An exciting and attractive vehicle that's fun to drive, the 2020 Volkswagen GTI is a sporty compact car that's great for everyday driving around town as well as thrilling rides on the open road. Car enthusiasts will undoubtedly love this hatchback, as it's capable of delivering a spirited performance thanks to a potent engine lineup and numerous features aimed at enhancing the way it handles. It can seat five passengers and has a comfortable and refined cabin with many convenience and entertainment features. The 2020 Volkswagen GTI is powered by a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine, in combination with a six-speed manual transmission. It's offered in three trim configurations and front-wheel drive is standard. If sportiness and functionality are among your priorities, then the 2020 Volkswagen GTI might just be the perfect choice for you.
All Volkswagen GTI years
What is new for the 2020 Volkswagen GTI?
- The Rabbit Edition trim has been discontinued for 2020.
- GTI trims have been upgraded with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment this year.
- Remote Start, Leatherette Seats, and Full Roof Rack features are now available as options on select trims.
- The S trim now comes with Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Monitor, and Panoramic Sunroof as standard equipment.
- The SE trim now comes with Parking Sensors and CD Audio as standard equipment.
2020 Volkswagen GTI trims
S:
Comes standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity, heated front seats, forward collision warning, and more.
SE:
Adds upgrades such as an eight-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, leather seats, a sunroof, and much more.
Autobahn:
Includes adaptive suspension dampers, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, and a premium stereo system.
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Volkswagen GTI
1. Exciting performance
One of the most appealing things about the 2020 Volkswagen GTI is the fact that it's a high-performance vehicle capable of delivering a thrilling ride. It's powered by a standard turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, generating 228 hp. It's fast and fun to drive, accelerates quickly, and delivers a dynamic and sporty ride. It goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph (according to the manufacturer when new).
2. Nice interior
Apart from the excitement coming from under the hood, there is a lot to be said about the cabin of the 2020 Volkswagen GTI as well. It has a roomy and refined interior, offering a fair amount of comfort to passengers. Heated front seats are standard for all trims, as is synthetic leather, with real leather upholstery available as an option. With 35.6 inches of legroom and 38 inches of headroom, passengers in the second row will sit comfortably and won't feel cramped even during longer trips.
3. Standard tech features
For optimal comfort, the 2020 Volkswagen GTI is equipped with various connectivity and convenience features. It comes standard with an infotainment system featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen and smartphone integration, along with Bluetooth® connectivity and a USB port. On top of that, it's offered with attractive options such as dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, satellite radio, and navigation.
4. Good cargo capacity
While hauling tons of cargo may not be the first thing you think of when talking about a car such as the 2020 Volkswagen GTI, it's still an important factor to take into account. This hatchback offers plenty of room for cargo in the trunk, with 22.8 cu-ft of space for all your bags and gear. When you fold down the second-row seats, the total cargo capacity increases to 52.7 cu-ft, which is comparable to some compact mid-size SUVs.
5. Driver-assistance technology
If you are looking for a car with advanced technology to make driving easier and help you navigate various traffic situations better, then the 2020 Volkswagen GTI fits your needs perfectly. It comes standard with several driver-assistance features that are only available as an option on many of its counterparts. For instance, it's equipped with forward automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning, as well as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Pedestrian detection, another useful and practical feature, is also part of the standard equipment.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2020 Volkswagen GTI, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The Ford Focus ST is a dynamic and powerful hatchback with room for five. Models from 2017–2018 are powered by a 252-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and deliver exciting performance distinguished by responsive steering and sharp handling. It's the performance-oriented version of the practical Ford Focus and comes with lots of standard features, including:
A 4.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
18-inch alloy wheels
Performance brakes
Electronic limited-slip differential
Front sport seats
Another high-performance hatchback, the Honda Civic Type R is a great vehicle for car enthusiasts who enjoy a thrilling ride. Models from 2017–2021 are powered by a standard turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0L inline-four engine, generating 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A customized limited-slip front differential and a dual-axis front strut suspension with adaptive dampers that can only be found on this model make for stable handling and confident control at high speeds. If you opt for a model 2017–2022, you can look forward to these standard features:
Sport front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
A 12-speaker audio system
LED headlights
Infotainment system with smartphone integration
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car with standard all-wheel drive, a roomy interior and a high level of practicality overall. Thanks to the all-wheel drive, it boasts good traction on slippery roads and sharp handling. It's a great city car which can also offer an exciting riding experience on the open road. Models 2017–2021 are equipped with these standard features:
A 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Bluetooth connectivity
16-inch wheels
Rearview camera
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
The 2020 Volkswagen GTI is not yet rated. Help future customers learn about a car you've owned and write a review.
RepairPal gave the Volkswagen GTI an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Volkswagen GTI 44th out of 46 among Compact Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Volkswagen GTIVolkswagen GTI features and specs
Autobahn 2WD 4D Hatchback
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Adjustable Suspension
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Fender Audio
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Manual Transmission
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Full Roof Rack
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
228
Torque (ft-lbs)
258
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
13.2
Wheelbase
103.6"
Overall length
168"
Width
70.8"
Height
57.8"
Leg room
F 41.2"/R 35.6"
Head room
F 38.4"/R 38.1"
Front tires
P225/40HR18
Rear tires
P225/40HR18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Manual 6
2020 Volkswagen GTI FAQ
It's fair to say that the 2020 Volkswagen GTI is a fast car. It's a sporty, high-performance vehicle that's designed for fast rides, delivering quick acceleration and a high-top speed. With the 2.0L four-cylinder engine, it goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and gets a top speed of 155 mph (when new).
The Volkswagen GTI Autobahn package adds several performance-oriented and luxury features, as well as driver-assistance technology. These include dual-zone automatic climate control, lane departure warning, parallel and perpendicular park assist, adaptive cruise control, a premium stereo system, and leather seats, among other things.
GTI stands for Grand Touring Injection. It refers to the technology that Volkswagen uses for its injection system. In the case of the Volkswagen GTI, it's a direct fuel injection system, which is developed with long-distance trips in mind, aiming to deliver optimum power while maintaining a high-performance level.
More about the 2020 Volkswagen GTI
Color options
Exterior colors:
Dark Iron Blue Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Tornado Red
White Silver Metallic
Interior colors:
Titan Black
Interior details
The 2020 Volkswagen GTI has an upscale and spacious interior, with room for five and lots of tech features, as well as storage options. It comes standard with cloth upholstery for the base trim, but leather is standard on the SE and the Autobahn trims. It has a total of 52.7 cu-ft of cargo space behind the front seats, and 22.8 cu-ft behind the second row.
Child seat details
Two sets of lower anchors are available on the rear seats of the 2020 Volkswagen GTI, along with three tether anchors. They are easily reachable, and you will have no trouble installing child seats on them. You can install a forward-facing convertible, an infant seat, a rear-facing convertible, and a booster seat.
Performance
The 2020 Volkswagen GTI is offered with a standard 228-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is also available. With this standard engine, it goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 155 mph (when new). It gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined.
Year comparison
2010–2014 Volkswagen GTI (Sixth Generation)
The sixth-generation Volkswagen GTI was in production from 2010 through 2014. It was powered by a 200-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine and was available in a two- and a four-door variant. A Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) was available as an option, apart from the standard six-speed manual transmission.
2015–2021 Volkswagen GTI (Seventh Generation)
Offered in three trim configurations, the seventh-generation Volkswagen GTI uses an all-new platform and a new turbocharged 2.0L engine delivering 220 hp. Its overall weight is 92 lbs lower than the previous generation thanks to the new MQB platform.
2022–present Volkswagen GTI (Eighth Generation)
The current, eighth-generation Volkswagen GTI started with the 2022 model year. It's only offered as a four-door hatchback, with the introduction of adjustable dampers and a revised suspension as some of the most notable upgrades over the predecessor.
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