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News out of Volkswagen has been pretty clear: their future developments will largely focus on electric vehicles and SUVs. That information, and the fact that they will no longer be selling the VW Golf here in the US, led a lot of people to wonder about the future of the popular Golf GTI, the sportier sibling of the standard Golf. Fortunately, however, that is not the case, and the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a major upgrade over last year's model. Kicking off the 8th generation of the GTI, it is clear that Volkswagen has learned what people are looking for in a sporty hatchback.
First and foremost, the one thing pretty much every driver could agree upon is that driving the previous generation of the Golf GTI was a lot of fun. With the updated 2022 model, the engineers at VW have listened and simply improved upon the engine from last year's model, with boosted horsepower and torque. Both manual and automatic transmissions are still available, with this year's dual-clutch automatic providing excellent acceleration and an incredibly fun time behind the wheel. So the Golf GTI continues to do what it does best: offer a thrilling experience in a spacious hatchback.
In fact, if anything, the 2022 Volkswagen GTI is more spacious than ever before, with a slight boost to interior space for passengers and cargo. The interior has been upgraded overall, with a pair of 10-inch digital displays for the driver, providing you with excellent functionality and clear visibility for navigation. While we are sad to learn that the 8th generation Golf will not be coming to America, everything we have seen so far has us very excited about the new GTI. Come visit us at Auburn Volkswagen today to find out more and see all of your options in the impressive VW lineup.
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What really set previous Golf GTI models apart from the standard VW Golf is the improved level of performance and power it had to offer. Even though the basic Golf will no longer be available here in the US, the 2022 Volkswagen GTI continues this tradition of providing you with a fantastic driving experience. In fact, the engine this year has been updated and tuned for higher performance than last year's model, giving you an even more exhilarating time behind the wheel.
The 2022 Golf GTI features a 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine that delivers 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, which is a fantastic amount of power for such a small hatchback model. Most hatchbacks out there are designed for optimal interior space and maybe some comfort, with little attention paid to the actual driving experience. But here we have a model that was made for a driver who wants the functionality and practicality of a hatchback while still getting a sporty ride that is responsive and a lot of fun.
Compared to last year's model, this is 13 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque more than you could previously get. That might not seem like a huge amount, but it is a noticeable improvement, and the Golf GTI remains a front-wheel drive model that is really fun to drive. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission standard, though there is an available 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission if you prefer it. Having both options means you can get exactly the kind of driving experience you want, and the dual-clutch automatic is incredibly responsive.
The 2021 Golf GTI gets an estimated 24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway when you drive it with the available automatic transmission, which is the most efficient option. With the manual transmission, those numbers go down slightly to an estimated 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway – not a huge difference, but still worth mentioning.** We expect that 2022 GTI will likely have either the same fuel efficiency or very close to it, with the numbers being perhaps off by only 1 or 2 at the most. Even though the 2022 model is more powerful and offers a more thrilling ride, the difference should not be great enough to impact fuel efficiency by very much.
Volkswagen is known for putting a long list of features in its cars, and the 2022 Golf GTI is no exception to that rule. The new generation brings a number of upgrades to the interior to make it more spacious and comfortable. You can expect to find the traditional plaid seats combined with updated technology to provide a driving experience befitting the most popular hot hatch on the market.
We would argue that the most impressive interior upgrade is that the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI now features a 10-inch digital driver cluster and a matching 10-inch infotainment display. This gives you two large, full-color screens that will showcase all of the information that you need to keep track of. You will be able to watch navigation information and control your audio using the central screen, while the digital driver cluster can be customized and adjusted to give you the data that you want to keep an eye on. The steering wheel features touch-sensitive controls for audio and other systems, plus a flat bottom that seems right at home in such a sporty ride. There are even intuitive voice commands for nearly every aspect of the infotainment system.
It is also worth pointing out that the new generation has increased the size of this hatchback slightly, giving you more room inside for your passengers and cargo. This is a welcome addition since the Golf GTI was already so well regarded for its spacious interior and for how well it works for loading up with everything you need to take with you. Now, your passengers will be able to remain even more comfortable, making the new GTI one of the most practical performance cars on the street.
Like many other aspects of the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, the 8th generation brings new safety features and driver-assist technologies. The 7th generation GTI already paid exceptional attention to safety, but VW continues to make progress every year. All the latest safety features and technology are now available in the latest version of the Golf GTI, from the bright new LED headlights to Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring.
Looking at the 2021 Golf GTI, we can see that standard safety features include a comprehensive airbag system, electronic stability control, and more. A rearview camera is standard, of course, as are a number of active safety features such as a blind-spot monitor and a rear traffic alert. Other standard features for the 2021 model include a forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and pedestrian monitoring to help you avoid collisions. All of these capable safety systems remain standard on the 2022 model.
The highest trim for the 2021 model includes a number of additional safety systems, such as adaptive cruise control, which can adjust your speed for you when engaged. You also get automatic high beam control, a lane assist system, and park assist with park distance control to help you with parking. These systems and more are available on a fully-optioned 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, providing a driving experience that is as safe as it is engaging. The GTI has always been a car that can serve equally well as a family vehicle and a track toy, and the 8th generation is no different. You will never worry about taking passengers along with you, unlike with many other sports cars.
For more specs and details on the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, reach out to the time here at Auburn Volkswagen. We're VW experts, and we love everything we've seen about this new car. The engine, which was often what people liked most about last year's model, has been boosted and improved upon, with greater power and performance than the previous generation. This ensures that the all-new Golf GTI is just as fun to drive and makes it a fantastic option for anyone looking for a sporty and reliable hatchback. For drivers who want even more than the GTI offers, come take a look at the new Golf R with its even higher level of performance.
Here at Auburn Volkswagen, we are incredibly excited about the redesigned 2022 Golf variants and the rest of the impressive VW lineup. While the future for Volkswagen will certainly include a greater focus on EVs and SUVs, seeing fantastic models with conventional engines like the Golf GTI keeps us watching to see what comes next. Our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople are here to answer your questions, listen to what you need, and work closely with you to make sure you drive away in just the right vehicle. Call or come visit us today at Auburn Volkswagen to find out more and discover how easy it can be to shop for your next car.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
