2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI carried a legacy that began in 1983 when it was first introduced to the United States as the "Volkswagen Rabbit GTI". It quickly became an icon in the hot hatch genre—a segment defined by enhanced performance features on a compact, typically three- or five-door hatchback. The seventh-generation GTI inherited its forebears' spirit, serving as a high-performance variant of the standard Golf.

The 2021 model shared most of its structure with a regular Golf but stood out due to subtle yet effective enhancements. Small red GTI badges adorned the front and rear, and a red stripe connected the headlights across the grille. The car sat on standard 18-inch alloy wheels through which red-painted brake calipers were visible, adding a dash of color. LED fog lamps flanked the mesh grille in the lower front fascia, while gloss black side mirrors and a small rear lip spoiler complemented the exterior. The GTI was lowered by 0.6 inches compared to the standard Golf, emphasized by subtle side skirts. The finishing touches included stainless-steel exhaust tips.

Inside, the GTI carried forward the already excellent base Golf interior but introduced sporty elements. Red ambient lighting and illuminated door sills set the mood, while a black headliner and trim added contrast. The instrument cluster was unique to the GTI, featuring a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in leather and adorned with red stitching. Shiny aluminum-look pedals and a substantial dead pedal for the driver further enhanced the sporty atmosphere. Heated front sport seats were standard, with upholstery options including Clark plaid cloth and leather, depending on the trim level.

When Volkswagen unveiled the 2022 Golf GTI, it claimed that every body panel was brand new. However, with a longer and lower profile maintaining the same wheelbase of 103.6 inches, the visual distinctions were subtle for all but the most devoted fans. These new dimensions contributed to a more stable silhouette without compromising the hatchback’s nimbleness.

The front styling maintained the iconic GTI look, featuring a smoothly cascading hood and a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake below the VW emblem. The signature red accent line stretched across the front from headlight to headlight, now joined by an optional light bar for added nighttime flair. Standard LED fog lights and redesigned aerodynamic side mirrors further refined the appearance.

All trims of the 2022 GTI were fitted with red brake calipers, while wheel sizes varied by trim level—S and SE trims had 18-inch alloy wheels, and the Autobahn trim came with 19-inch wheels. Color options expanded to include vibrant hues like Atlantic Blue Metallic, Kings Red Metallic, and Moonstone Gray, alongside staple colors like silver, black, and white. The Autobahn trim exclusive Pomelo Yellow Metallic was only available in limited quantities.

The interior continued the tradition of driver-centric design. Standard plaid cloth seats on the S and SE trims and Vienna leather on the SE and Autobahn added a touch of luxury. The cherished golf-ball shifter knob was retained for manual transmission models, and stainless steel pedals were standard across the board.

The hallmark of the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was its performance. Under the hood, it featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters. Enthusiasts particularly appreciated the manual for its increased engagement, though the DSG offered superior speed and convenience.

The GTI had a four-wheel independent suspension (struts in front and multilink rear with anti-roll bars) that was enhanced on the Autobahn model by DCC adaptive damping. Variable-ratio steering provided crisp turn-in and excellent feedback, while the Golf R front brakes offered substantial stopping power.

However, the GTI's sporty suspension led to a firm, sometimes uncomfortable ride on everyday roads. Selecting Comfort mode in the Autobahn softened the ride slightly, but S and SE trims had to cope with the factory suspension settings. Fuel economy was commendable, with EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the manual transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined for the DSG.

The 2022 GTI boosted its performance with an updated version of the EA888 engine, now producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The new engine’s exhaust headers were integrated into the cylinder heads for quicker warm-up and better heat management. Peak horsepower arrived at 5,000 rpm, while maximum torque kicked in at a low 1,750 rpm, making it an absolute joy to drive through twisty roads and mountain passes.

As in the 2021 model, the 2022 GTI offered a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG). Front-wheel drive was the only drivetrain option. Fuel economy saw a slight improvement, with EPA ratings of 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined for the manual and 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined for the DSG.

The Mk8 GTI also benefited from a retuned suspension, shedding seven pounds in the front assembly and incorporating 15% stiffer rear springs. These changes, combined with advanced electronic aids like an electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential and enhanced stability control, improved handling while maintaining a comfortable ride. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured DCC adaptive damping capable of 200 adjustments per second for even finer control.

The 2021 GTI excelled in form and function, balancing performance with practicality. Its compact dimensions (103.6-inch wheelbase, 60.6-inch front track, 59.7-inch rear track, 168.0 inches length, 70.8 inches width, and 57.8 inches height) made it highly maneuverable in tight spaces. With 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, it offered ample storage for a compact car. The cabin comfortably accommodated taller front-row occupants, while the rear could fit two average-sized adults or three children.

The tight 35.8-foot turning circle and electric power-assisted steering made parking and city driving a breeze. Clever storage solutions, like large front door pockets and a mechanical handbrake, added to its practicality.

The 2022 GTI continued to marry performance with utility, offering 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 34.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down—an improvement over the 2021 model but still short of some competitors like the Hyundai Veloster N. Despite its sporty nature, the GTI remained a practical choice for daily driving and family outings.

The driver-centric interior was a highlight, with controls angled towards the driver and innovative solutions like the “light and sight” panel for easy adjustments to headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly generous, making the GTI suitable for longer journeys with passengers.

The 2021 GTI featured the VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink as standard. The base S model had a 6.5-inch screen, while the SE and Autobahn trims received an 8-inch screen with navigation. Despite having an analog gauge cluster, the car included a configurable driver information screen. Other tech features included Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, two USB ports, and a three-month SiriusXM trial for SE models.

Volkswagen Car-Net offered Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot features, although these required a subscription. The system supported Amazon Alexa for voice control and navigation assistance. Additional standard tech included LED daytime running lights, fog lights, keyless access with pushbutton start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and heated exterior mirrors.

The 2022 GTI upped the ante with a fully digital 10.25-inch driver information display and an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the S trim, with a 10-inch screen with navigation in the SE and Autobahn trims. All trims supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity, with crisp graphics and intuitive controls. However, the touch-capacitive controls for volume and climate settings could be frustrating at times.

Volkswagen’s Car-Net system continued to provide various services, including Remote Access, Safe and Secure, and Hotspot, although some features required additional subscriptions. Additional options like Plus Nav, Plus Speech, and Plus Online Radio were attractively priced, offering enhanced convenience for minimal cost.

The 2021 GTI earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and received top scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test and headlights. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, multiple airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system, rearview camera, and automatic post-collision braking. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control.

While crash-test ratings for the 2022 GTI were not yet available, it came equipped with Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive suite, providing advanced driver assistance systems like Travel Assist (combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist for semi-autonomous driving), forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert—though IQ.Drive was only available on automatic models. Park Distance Control was standard across all trims, with the Autobahn trim additionally offering Park Assist.