In-depth Reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback (2013-2020): owner reviews

Name: Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback
Brand: Volkswagen

“The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the original hot hatchback and recent improvements mean it still stands up well against increasingly capable rivals”

by Carbuyer team

13 Feb 2020

Carbuyer Rating

3.7 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.6 out of 5

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100%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

3reviews
5reviews

Common Problems

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

230ps manual 5 door

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I've used this car for 2 years every day for both long and short drives. It always has a boot full of kit and I drive the car hard when conditions and roads allowed. I'm changing it in three weeks and I will miss it. If you enjoy driving and still a boy racer at heart (im 53), this car is for you. It has great performance and pulls really well through the gears. The ride is comfortable for a hot hatch and sports seats are comfortable even after a 4 hour commute. The fuel consumption was okay considering I drive it hard and carry gear all the time. The only issue I'm experiencing is that the infotainment system is playing up (I have never liked the touchscreen, I'd rather have dials or buttons) and the stop start button doesn't activate on first push. I'm about to get an Audi A5 sportback for a couple of years of sedate driving, but no doubt will return for another GTI in the future, maybe the R if I can slow down a bit!!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

This is all the car you need. The seats are comfy, almost as good as our XC60. The performance will put a smile on your face. Handling is "foolproof " and it doesn't guzzle down fuel.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Performance DSG

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Nearly perfect, lovely to drive, performance puts licence at risk. But… engine stop/start is too willing to stop at the wrong time; the boot is too small compared with my last Honda Civics which were cavernous in comparison; the satnav is dreadful, the worst I've ever used with awkward postcode entry, poor turn indications and awful voice that cannot even pronounce Oxford; and dust and muck get sucked up on the rear of the car and into the boot opening. The powerful brakes have saved me twice. I'm not sure if it was my reactions or the automatic breaking that prevented an accident. Both times were at high speed on fast roads, the driver in the inside lane pulled out immediately in front of my car.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Too early to say, the car has only done 2600 miles. I will make sure the DSG fluid and filter are changed regularly and have taken a service pack for all fluids and parts at £32 per month.

Performance

5 out of 5

Brilliant, almost too powerful for UK roads as acceleration is so brisk that 70mph passes rapidly before you realise your speed is in triple figures.

Running Cost

4 out of 5

Thirstier than I expected around town but fine on long journeys. Active mpg display shows regular driving in the 50s and 60s mph.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Performance Pack 230 BHP 5dr

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Absolutely superb car for everyday use with a great engine for town or motorway .

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

5 door performance model

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

This is a brilliant all round car for both short or long trips. Mine is the 5-door, it has a decent sized boot, has been reliable, is well built and offers reasonable fuel economy. It has more than enough performance as well as superb handling and grip with the limited slip differential. The ride quality is surprisingly good but there is a touch too much road noise, in my opinion. The manual gearbox is excellent allied to a really good clutch. The digital instrument panel is especially good, too.

Reliability

Has been reliable so far apart from an annoying intermittent vibration from somewhere in the dashboard.

Performance

5 out of 5

I cannot fault the performance in any way as this car is rapid in all gears and i have not even tried the sport mode yet.This model is fitted with an LSD and provides the car with both excellent handling and grip particularly out of corners.

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Currently averaging 39 MPG which is pretty good considering the cars performance and the fact that i do a fair number of short runs interspersed with longer runs/motorway journeys.My insurance so far is remarkably cheap for such a car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2014

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Coming from a Mini Cooper, this car was up my alley, it's comfortable, fast, and very practical. A bit expansive, and the brakes can get grabby, but in general a very excellent drive, it can get boring at times, so if you wanna save money, maybe get the regular Golf.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2.0 Tsi bluemotion turbo

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

The best car I have ever owned

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

5 dr

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Brilliant road holding ability as well as acceleration. An overall very well balanced vehicle that offer superb practicality and a myriad of uses. I have used it on a race track and it is MORE than thrilling, then turn it back to Normal (from SPORTS mode) and the car is a beautiful everyday driver 5 STARS