For its beauty and performance on the road, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is a fan favorite. The Golf GTI is an affordable sport hatchback with a long history that dates back to the 1970s. Dubbed as the first ‘hot’ hatchback, it is the benchmark for all sporty hatchbacks to follow. Many have followed, but few have duplicated the impressive versatility this little car offers. We’ll take a look at the VW Golf GTI trim levels and cost in this article, as well as comparable models, to find out how much a fully loaded 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI costs.

The entry-level Volkswagen Golf GTI

According to the VW media website, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI has won a Motor1 Star Award in the area of Best Performance Vehicle, according to Volkswagen of America, Inc. The Motor1 Star Awards recognizes the top vehicles in seven categories based on five days of in-person testing of 17 highly rated automobiles that debuted in the previous year.

The base Golf GTI is the S 2.0T. This trim level will set you back $29,545. For that price, you get an impressive set of options. It is powered by an intercooled turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0L engine that produces 241 horsepower. It features a manual 6-speed transmission along with front and rear anti-roll bars, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, heated front seats, and a rearview camera featured in the 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The cost of a fully loaded VW Golf GTI

The Autobahn edition is the top-of-the-line Golf GTI offering from Volkswagen. The Autobahn is equipped with several driver-assist systems that make long-distance driving easier while making the Golf GTI safer. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keep Assist, and Park Distance Control help keep the driver safe and reduce the chance of collision. It also features a 12-way power driver’s seat and a Fender premium sound system.

The Autobahn trim level also offers DCC adaptive chassis control and a power tilting/sliding panoramic sunroof. In addition, it features fog lights with low-speed corner-illuminating features, leather seating surfaces, and keyless access with push-button start.

The cost for the Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn starts at $37,995. Upgrading to the 2.0L Turbo 7-speed DSG automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode will set you back $39,797. Other options can be added, such as a cargo box attachment that mounts to the car’s roof that will add an additional $699 to the total cost.

The Golf GTI’s competition

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has a few competitors on the market, the first being the Honda Civic Si. The starting price of the 2022 Civic Si is a little over $28,000. There isn’t much wiggle room in the price because it’s only available in one fully equipped model. Some notable features include a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that gives you 200 horsepower, which is 41 horsepower less than the Golf GTI. Additionally, the Honda Civic Si is only offered with a manual transmission.

Another strong competitor is the Hyundai Veloster N. It is also offered with a manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that produces up to 275 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It’s also offered with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic, which features an overboost function that temporarily raises the turbo-four engine’s max torque rating from 260 to 278 lb-ft. The Veloster N will set you back $33,525. However, the only leather you will find in this model is on the steering wheel and the shift knob. The creature comforts for this model aren’t as nice as the VW Golf GTI, but it gets an A for effort.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has earned its spot amongst sporty hatchbacks through years of fine-tuning. VW has had its finger on the pulse of the American consumer for years, so it’s no wonder that the Golf GTI is one of the best-selling hatchbacks on the market. With Volkswagen vowing to go all EV in the next few decades, it will be interesting to see if the Golf GTI will remain one of the most popular hatchbacks or if VW will replace it with a newly christened EV model.