2021 Volkswagen GTI review
Volkswagen GTI highlights
Customer rating
(not yet rated)
Pros
- Fun to drive
- High-quality materials in interior
- Advanced driver aids work well
Cons
- Rear legroom is tight
- Only one USB port is available
Mileage (EPA estimate)
24 city, 30 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The 2021 Volkswagen GTI is practical and a lot of fun
The 2021 Volkswagen GTI, the final model year before being redesigned, offers a great blend of practicality and performance, resulting in a hatchback that's as fun to drive as it is functional.
The GTI is the performance version of the Volkswagen Golf, which was not sold in the United States after the 2021 model year. But don't let its sporty attributes fool you, the GTI is a great option for hauling people and their stuff.
The interior of the GTI has high-quality materials and spacious seating up front. Legroom is a bit tight in the back, and a tunnel that extends through the back row makes the center seat impractical. Getting in and out is easy thanks to wide-opening doors, and most of the controls are easy to use and understand.
All Volkswagen GTI years
What is new for the 2021 Volkswagen GTI?
- GTI trims have been upgraded with Leatherette Seats as standard equipment this year.
- Automated Parking features are now available as options on select trims.
- The S trim now comes with Power Seat(s) and Smart Key as standard equipment.
- The SE trim now comes with Apple CarPlay, Navigation System, and Android Auto as standard equipment.
2021 Volkswagen GTI trims
S:
- 228-hp, 258-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Cloth Seats
- Rear View Camera
- Power Mirrors
- Rear Defroster
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Parking Sensors
- Blind Spot Monitor
- View our Volkswagen GTI S inventory
SE:
- Includes all features available on the S
- Leather Seats
- Sunroofs
- Navigation System
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Volkswagen GTI SE inventory
Autobahn:
- Includes all features available on the SE
- Adjustable Suspension
- Lane Departure Warning
- Automated Cruise Control
- Fender Audio
- View our Volkswagen GTI Autobahn inventory
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Volkswagen GTI
What We Like
Good performance: The GTI comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets 228 horsepower. Accelerating from a stoplight or making a tight merge onto a highway won't be a problem for this Volkswagen.
Impressive tech: Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard features and work well. The advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, are also nice to have and are neither intrusive nor laggy.
Comfortable ride: The GTI pleasantly blends performance with comfort. The available adaptive suspension makes for an even more comfortable ride, though the GTI is comfy without it.
What Needs Improvement
Interior storage: There isn't much room for storing small items at the front of the cabin. The water bottle pockets in the doors are handy, but the regular cupholders are small and awkwardly placed. And the center console can't realistically hold much more than your smartphone.
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
The 2021 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
S 2WD 4D Hatchback
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Manual Transmission
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- CD Audio
- Full Roof Rack
- Satellite Radio Ready
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
2021 Volkswagen GTI FAQ
The 2021 Volkswagen GTI is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- S: 24 MPG City and 32 MPG Highway
- SE: 24 MPG City and 32 MPG Highway
- Autobahn: 24 MPG City and 32 MPG Highway
The Volkswagen GTI received a rating of 3 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Volkswagen GTI as 43 out of 46 among Compact Car
Here is what's new for the 2021 Volkswagen GTI:
- Leatherette Seats
- Automated Parking
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Power Seat(s)
- Smart Key
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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