With the demise of the run-of-the-mill Golf in the United States, Volkswagen’s compact hatchback goes from one of the brand’s cheapest offerings to one of its priciest. Credit the 2022 VW Golf GTI’s $30,540 starting sum. Only the Arteon, Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and ID4 currently sticker for more than VW’s entry-level eighth-generation Golf.
Of course, entry-level is a relative term, as the GTI comes well-equipped even in its lowliest S form. Like all GTIs, the 2022 Golf GTI S comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 that pumps out 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque—gains of 13 horses and 15 lb-ft compared to that of its $850 cheaper predecessor. A six-speed manual is the default transmission, however, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (or DSG in VW parlance) is an $800 extra across the GTI line.
Besides the addition of paddle shifters and an automatic start-stop system on DSG-equipped cars, all 2022 Golf GTI S models include comfort and convenience items such as LED exterior lighting, a heated steering wheel and front seats, automatic climate control, an 8.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Stepping up to the $35,290 GTI SE adds a sunroof, adaptive front headlights, kitschy illuminated grille decor, a proximity keyless entry system, a larger 10.0-inch infotainment screen, an in-dash navigation system, and a premium audio system. A $1,125 seating package trades the standard cloth plaid-patterned seats for leather-lined units with ventilation for those riding in the driver or front passenger seat. The package also includes power controls and a memory function for the driver’s seat. Additionally, Volkswagen allows GTI SE buyers to nab gloss-black 18-inch wheels for $395.
That said, GTI SE buyers considering dropping the cash on the available leather package may want to consider writing a check for the $38,990 GTI Autobahn. The flagship GTI trim includes all of the bits of the GTI SE and its available leather package, and also adds 19-inch wheels wrapped in sticky summer rubber, adaptive dampers, heated rear seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a head-up display system.
If the GTI’s 241-horse engine fails to excite you, then maybe the Golf R’s 315-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder ought to do the trick. The $44,640 Golf R offers but one option: an $800 seven-speed automatic transmission in place of the standard six-speed stick. Opting for the self-shifting gearbox brings a full 295 lb-ft of torque to the all-wheel-drive hatchback, too—15 lb-ft more than its manual counterpart.
Regardless of trim or transmission, the 2022 VW Golf—be it a Golf GTI or a Golf R—is due to go on sale by the end of the year.
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R Pricing
- Golf GTI S: $30,540
- Golf GTI SE: $35,290
- Golf GTI Autobahn: $38,990
- Golf R: $44,640
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