The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the definitive hot hatchback. It wasn’t the first, and for pure entertainment it might not even be the best, but now in its eighth generation the GTI still sets the template for the desirable performance hatch that’s sensible and practical enough to use every day.
The latest GTI debuted in 2019 and was subtly updated in 2024. Unlike its predecessors the latest car is only offered in five-door format, and it has the same infotainment foibles as other Golfs, but it’s still one of the best all-rounders you can buy.
If you’re looking at an earlier Mk8 GTI then later examples of the earlier Mk7 GTI are well worth considering, while other hot hatches to have challenged the Golf over the last few years include the Renault Sport Megane, Ford Focus ST, Hyundai i30N, BMW 128ti, and the spectacular Honda Civic Type-R.
If what you want from a hot hatchback is something that balances country road fun with the ability to shrug off the daily grind, then the Golf GTI remains one of the best ways of finding that balance. It’s not hard to find quicker hot hatches, ones that perform better on track, or ones that will give you more of a smile on a country road, but in the words of so many road tests, the GTI is the one you’d probably want to take home at the end of the day.
The Mk8 GTI has somewhat tested the GTI faithful, some of whom are put off by the heavily touchscreen-reliant cabin, its five-door-only format, and the fact that since 2023, VW decided to drop the manual gearbox from the price lists. Most buyers shouldn’t be deterred though, as it’s still a very appealing car.
The GTI drives much like its predecessor, which is to say agile and controllable handling with a ride quality that doesn’t complain at bumpy British B-roads, and a powerful and smooth engine, and depending on your gearbox choice, either a light and accurate shift (manual) or lightning-fast changes (DSG).
Inside it’s typical Golf, which is to say solidly built and roomy, and generally quite nicely styled. It’d be even better if the abundance of touchscreens and haptic controls was easier to operate, though VW addressed this in 2024, so later cars should be slightly less frustrating, if still not as simple as the Mk7 GTI.
That Mk7 is probably the main car to tempt buyers away from the Mk8, as it still looks modern and very handsome, is just as good to drive (arguably better, in fact), and later cars are still new and fresh enough that it’s not too hard to find examples with comprehensive history in nearly-new condition. The diesel Golf GTD and plug-in hybrid Golf GTE are also worth a look. If VWs aren’t your thing, then the Renault Sport Megane, Hyundai i30N and Ford Focus ST are all very strong contenders - while the Honda Civic Type-R remains one of the best hot hatches money can buy.
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If you’re not bothered about having a manual gearbox, then we reckon it’s worth seeking for a Clubsport, as there’s no real compromise as a daily driver next to the regular GTI, but the higher performance will probably appeal to most GTI buyers. The regular car does have two things going for it though: it was offered with a manual gearbox, and it’s also the only Mk8 GTI to get the traditional ‘Jacara’ tartan seat fabric, which references the very first GTI.
The Mk8 GTI has so far been offered in three trim levels, with a standard GTI model and then a couple of Clubsport versions above that - each getting you more power and additional equipment. Only the regular GTI has been offered with a manual transmission though, which may rule out the special editions for some drivers.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI’s dimensions are:
The Volkswagen Golf GTI’s boot size is:
The majority of Golf GTIs will cost £180 a year to tax, at current rates. Only the Clubsport 45, which cost more than £40,000 brand new, attracts the government’s surcharge for more expensive vehicles, and as a result, tax jumps to £570 per year.
The Mk8 Golf GTI starts off in insurance group 28 (out of 50), rising to group 29 for the Clubsport, and 31 for the Clubsport 45. This is quite a bit less than the group 35 at which a Renault Sport Megane begins, and less still than the group 43 of a Civic Type-R.
Read our full Volkswagen Golf GTI review
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