FAST FACTS
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Rank
- #1 in Sport Compact Cars
Pros
- Joyous acceleration from world-class 2.0T engine
- Sharp handling
- Livable ride quality
- Adult-friendly backseat
- Cargo space like a pint-sized SUV
- Available manual transmission
Cons
- Frustrating knobless touch-based controls on all except entry-level S trim
- Manual goes away after this year
What's New for 2024?
The GTI is fundamentally unchanged this year, but note that there's a special GTI 380 designation that officially bids farewell to the three-pedal manual transmission. In addition to the stick shift, every GTI 380 comes with special gray paint, 19-inch wheels and adaptive suspension dampers, and the 380 bundle can be paired with any of the GTI’s regular trim levels.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

by Josh Sadlier
published Aug 14, 2024 | updated Jan 19, 2025

Is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI a Good Car?
"The GTI has become such an accomplished performance car that it could be a player in Super Sport Compact Cars, too, except that the Golf R lives over there. But it definitely reigns supreme in this category, even if we could do without this generation's fiddly touch-based climate and infotainment controls (improvements are reportedly on the way for the 2025 model year). No other sport compact can match the GTI's combination of joyous acceleration, nimble handling, thrifty fuel economy and luxury-grade refinement, while the almost SUV-grade versatility afforded by its hatchback body style comes as a welcome bonus. In a more sensible world, this VW would be one of the best-selling cars on the market."—Ranked #1 out of 7 Sport Compact Cars
Which 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Should I Buy?
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
1. 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Automatic
- Base Price: $31,965
- MPG Combined: 27
- Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
- Aspiration: Turbocharged
- Transmission: 7-speed automated manual
- Horsepower: 241
- Torque: 273 lb-ft
- 0-60: 5.1 sec
- Weight: 3,188 lbs
- Length: 168.8 in
The 2024 GTI is undoubtedly quicker when equipped with VW's standard-setting DSG automated manual gearbox. You can't go wrong with either transmission; just know that only the DSG will be available beyond 2024. Acceleration gap aside, the two variants are virtually the same, whether you're talking fuel economy (identical mpg combined) or curb weight (DSG only adds about 50 pounds).
2. 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Manual
- Base Price: $32,685
- MPG Combined: 27
- Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
- Aspiration: Turbocharged
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Horsepower: 241
- Torque: 273 lb-ft
- 0-60: 5.8 sec
- Weight: 3,137 lbs
- Length: 168.8 in
Get one while you can. The shift-it-yourself GTI says sayonara — well, auf wiedersehen — after 2024. Note that you're looking for the number "380" in the model designation, as all 2024 GTIs with the manual have that number in front of the trim level. Here are your options, in full: 2024 GTI 380 S, 2024 GTI 380 SE, 2024 GTI 380 Autobahn. That means you can have the stick on every GTI trim level, so pick the one you want and look for the 380 in front of it.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Pricing & Specs
What are the different versions of the 2024 Golf GTI, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2024 Golf GTI specs and model data.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Pricing & Specs by Version
Scroll for more ➔
Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Automatic | $31,965 | Gas | 27 | 241 hp | 273 lb-ft |
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Manual | $32,685 | Gas | 27 | 241 hp | 273 lb-ft |

by Josh Sadlier
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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