2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI

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$26,415 — $35,070 MSRP Shop local deals
#5 Most Popular Wagon/Hatchback
(4.9) 10 reviews
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2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Compare 3 Trims View Local Inventory
Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Hatchback See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    28 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    220-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 (premium)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    6-speed manual w/OD
  • View more specs

Our Take

Cars.com trophy.
2018 Cars.com Awards: Fun-to-Drive Car of the Year

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
Volkswagen has announced the U.S. versions for the refreshed 2018 Golf lineup already unveiled for Europe. The new line includes GTI and R performance models and the SportWagen and Alltrack wagons.
Exterior
It's an understatement to say that the exterior changes are subtle. The bumpers are slightly reshaped and are a little crisper. There now is a dash of chrome in the grill, some new wheel designs and some new paint colors. LED taillights and daytime running lights now are standard on all models; full LED headlights replace the bi-xenon units as the upgrade option.
 
Interior
More is changed inside where, in additional to some materials upgrades, there is a revised dashboard to accommodate a new media system with bigger screens -- a 6.5-inch display on base models and an 8-inch touchscreen for SE and above models.
 
The top-of the line Golf R performance version is the only U.S. Golf that will have the new configurable digital instrument cluster available on more models in Europe. LED adaptive headlights also will be standard on the 2018 R model.
 
Under the Hood
Powertrains carry over from 2017, but the GTI gets a 10-horsepower boost to 220 hp. The GTI also gets upgraded brakes and an electronic limited-slip differential standard.
 
Safety
Driver safety and assistance technology, including a front collision system with automatic braking that now includes pedestrian detection, will be more widely available on most mode...
Vehicle Overview
Volkswagen has announced the U.S. versions for the refreshed 2018 Golf lineup already unveiled for Europe. The new line includes GTI and R performance models and the SportWagen and Alltrack wagons.
Exterior
It's an understatement to say that the exterior changes are subtle. The bumpers are slightly reshaped and are a little crisper. There now is a dash of chrome in the grill, some new wheel designs and some new paint colors. LED taillights and daytime running lights now are standard on all models; full LED headlights replace the bi-xenon units as the upgrade option.
 
Interior
More is changed inside where, in additional to some materials upgrades, there is a revised dashboard to accommodate a new media system with bigger screens -- a 6.5-inch display on base models and an 8-inch touchscreen for SE and above models.
 
The top-of the line Golf R performance version is the only U.S. Golf that will have the new configurable digital instrument cluster available on more models in Europe. LED adaptive headlights also will be standard on the 2018 R model.
 
Under the Hood
Powertrains carry over from 2017, but the GTI gets a 10-horsepower boost to 220 hp. The GTI also gets upgraded brakes and an electronic limited-slip differential standard.
 
Safety
Driver safety and assistance technology, including a front collision system with automatic braking that now includes pedestrian detection, will be more widely available on most models with the second-level SE trim and above.

View 20 Photos

Latest 2018 Golf GTI Stories

See all 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.9
10 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.8)
Performance
(4.8)
Interior Design
(4.8)
Comfort
(4.7)
Reliability
(4.8)
Value For The Money
(4.8)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

I'm loving this German engineering

by Chickenminnie from Schenectady on October 8, 2018

What a great little car! I have owned it for two months and continue to be surprised by the thoughtful features, power and handling. My only regret is that I purchased it from the worst dealership on ... Read full review

(4.0)

Driving Happiness

by Cogmarks from Marietta, GA on July 14, 2018

I really enjoy my 2018 GTI SE. It is quite an upgrade in both the drive and technology over the 2014 Wolfsburg Edition GTI that I had been driving. The new car is peppier and quieter than the old. The ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI currently has 0 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T S

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Child Seat Anchors (Latch)

Ease of Use
good

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
acceptable
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
acceptable
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
acceptable
Structure and Safety Cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Passenger Side

Overall Evaluation
acceptable
Structure and Safety Cage
acceptable

Small Overlap Front - Passenger Side - Driver Injury Measures

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
good

Small Overlap Front - Passenger Side - Passenger Injury Measures

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
marginal
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Volkswagen
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    72 months / 72,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    72 months / 72,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    7 years/less than 72,000 or 75,000 miles (model-year specific)

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    Model-year 2017 and older, 2 years/24,000 miles; model-year 2018 and forward, 1 year/12,000 miles; TDI models, 2 years/unlimited miles

  • Powertrain warranty

    5 years/60,000 miles

  • Dealer Certification Required

    100-plus point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Golf GTI received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker