2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Hatchback

　　

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　In 1983, the original hot hatch made its way to America. The first Volkswagen was a hopped-up version of the Rabbit, complete with a more powerful engine and sport-tuned suspension wrapped in an affordable, practical package. It was a hit and spawned all manner of imitators, though the GTI itself is as strong as ever. Forty years after it was introduced, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI and more powerful Volkswagen Golf R (reviewed separately) are the only Golf variants still on sale in America. The biggest news for this year is a special 40th Anniversary Edition trim, which is limited to just 1,500 units for 2023.

　　

zzdcar' spotlight: Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. Golf R

Volkswagen dropped the standard Golf from the lineup when it introduced the eighth-generation model to America in 2022, leaving the Golf GTI and Golf R as the only available models. So what's the difference? Think of the Golf R as a Golf GTI that's grown up a bit. It still features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, available manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a sport-tuned suspension. What the Golf R adds is 74 additional horsepower, all-wheel drive and more standard features. There's a big price jump when going from the Golf GTI to the Golf R, but there's a big bump in performance and appeal.

　　

Competitors to consider

While only a handful of hatchbacks are still available in America, there are a few sedans and other small cars that compete directly against the Golf GTI. Some of our favorite four-doors include the Hyundai Elantra N and Subaru WRX. The Mini Cooper S hatchback is smaller than the GTI but offers decent utility and sporty handling. It's also available with either two or four doors. If you want affordable performance but don't necessarily need four doors or a hatch, check out the highly rated Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 coupes.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Golf GTI drive? It should be no surprise that the latest GTI drives a lot like the old one. It might look different, but the engine, transmission and much of the suspension carry over. That said, it's not totally the same. Base GTIs get a slight bump in power, and all come standard with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential that helps you quickly put down the power when exiting turns.

　　With the available dual-clutch automatic transmission, our test GTI covered 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. That's about half a second off the more powerful Hyundai Elantra N with the dual-clutch. The manual-equipped car was a bit slower at 6.5 seconds to 60, a tenth off the Elantra N manual and half a second off the Subaru WRX. Both transmissions are excellent. The manual transmission has a precise shifter and light clutch with an easy engagement point, so it's easy to drive either around town or on a winding road.

　　Our summer-tire-shod GTI stopped from 60 mph in just 103 feet, which is impressively short for an affordably priced performance car like this. Steering feel and overall handling have been improved too. Overall, this one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars on the road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Golf GTI? The GTI has always excelled at balancing performance with comfort. The seatback may look different, but these seats feel familiar to anyone who's driven a GTI before. The fixed side and thigh bolsters are pronounced but not overly tight. Volkswagen has found a nice Goldilocks setting. And, yes, the GTI's iconic red, white and black tartan cloth seats carry over. Ride comfort has been improved thanks to a revised suspension tuning. Our loaded test vehicle was equipped with an adaptive suspension that can be set to a compliant Comfort mode or a firm Sport setting. There's a noticeable difference, but the GTI never feels too soft or overly harsh.

　　Not everything has been improved. While we appreciate the available three-zone climate control, the capacitive touch controls for the temperature are cumbersome and occasionally infuriating to use. Rather than buttons or knobs, the GTI uses touch points on the dash. They're difficult to see and use without taking your eyes off the road.

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