2023 Volkswagen GTI review
Volkswagen GTI highlights
Customer rating
(not yet rated)
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Roomy interior
- High-quality materials in interior
Cons
- Controls can be frustrating to use
- Cupholders are small and awkwardly placed
- The touchscreen can be a bit laggy
Mileage (EPA estimate)
23 city, 32 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The 2023 Volkswagen GTI is sporty and practical
The 2023 Volkswagen GTI 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 last sold in the United States in 2021. But don't let its sporty attributes fool you: The GTI is a great option for hauling people and their stuff.
The 2023 GTI celebrates the Golf's 40th anniversary with a special 40th Anniversary Edition trim limited to 1,500 models. A couple of small trim adjustments, including cloth seats becoming standard on the SE trim, are all the changes the GTI receives.
The interior of the GTI has high-quality materials and spacious seating. But touchscreen-like controls for the air and heat (and other functions) are frustrating to use. On the other hand, voice controls are excellent: A natural-sounding command like "my feet are cold" leads to warm air blowing on your feet.
All Volkswagen GTI years
What is new for the 2023 Volkswagen GTI?
- The GTI is available in a new trim called the 40th Anniversary.
- GTI trims have been upgraded with Rear Defroster and Panoramic Sunroof as standard equipment this year.
- Full Roof Rack features are now available as options on select trims.
- The SE trim now comes with Cloth Seats as standard equipment.
2023 Volkswagen GTI trims
S:
- 241-hp, 273-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Automated Cruise Control
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Rear View Camera
- Parking Sensors
- Blind Spot Monitor
- View our Volkswagen GTI S inventory
Autobahn:
- Includes all features available on the S
- A/C Seats
- Head Up Display
- Cruise Control
- Leather Seats
- Adjustable Suspension
- View our Volkswagen GTI Autobahn inventory
5 reasons to buy the 2023 Volkswagen GTI
What We Like
Great performance: The GTI comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets 241 horsepower. Accelerating from a stoplight or making a tight merge onto a highway won't be a problem for this Volkswagen.
Impressive tech: The voice-activated controls work great in the GTI, and wireless Apple CarPlay® along with Android Auto™ are standard features. The advanced driver aids are equally impressive. The adaptive cruise control works smoothly, and blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and other aids all work well.
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
Frustrating touch controls: The GTI has what Volkswagen calls capacitive touch buttons that function more like the screen of your smartphone than the buttons and knobs you're used to. These buttons are frustrating to use and it's very easy to press them accidentally.
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
The 2023 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
- A/C Seat(s)
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Front Seat Heaters
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Head Up Display
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Seat Heaters
- 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
241
Torque (ft-lbs)
273
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
13.2
Wheelbase
103.6"
Overall length
168.8"
Width
70.4"
Height
57.6"
Leg room
F 41.2"/R 35"
Head room
F 38.5"/R 38.1"
Front tires
P235/35YR19
Rear tires
P235/35YR19
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2023 Volkswagen GTI FAQ
The 2023 Volkswagen GTI is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Autobahn: 24 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- 40th Anniversary: 24 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- S: 24 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- SE: 24 MPG City and 34 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 2023 Volkswagen GTI:
- 40th Anniversary
- Full Roof Rack
- Power Mirrors
- Air Conditioning
- ABS Brakes
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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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