A new engine option was among the upgrades made to the Volkswagen GTI for the 2000 model year. The 1.8T, which was available as an upgrade to the two-door GTI GLS trim package, was a turbocharged 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder powerplant that generated 150 horsepower. It joined two other engine options available in the GTI in 2000 -- a  115-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a more powerful 174-horsepower, 2.8-liter V6. Not surprisingly, the V6 was the choice (and recommendation) of many reviewers and critics, even though gas mileage suffered greatly due to its higher performance.

A five-speed manual transmission was standard across the line, while a four-speed automatic was optional on the GLS and GLS 1.8T (but not on the high-end GLX).

Standard features for all GTI trim packages included alloy wheels, a sunroof, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, anti-lock brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo system. The GLS 1.8T and GLX added traction control, while the GLX also added leather seats, wood trim, an automatic climate control system, and 16-inch wheels, among other features. A CD player was among the options.

The Volkswagen GTI drew an interesting mixture of real passion from drivers who raved about the car's handling, performance, and features, and real disappointment and even frustration from other drivers who complained about unreliability, durability issues, and frequent, costly repairs.