When Volkswagen’s unassuming hot hatch first broke cover nearly 40 years ago as the Rabbit GTI, who knew that the 90-horsepower nine-second 0-60-capable front-drive small car would develop such a lasting legacy? Fast forward to 2020, the renamed Golf GTI now is in its seventh generation, pumping 228 enthusiastic horsepower. The GTI inspired a vibrant class of fast-and-fun hatchbacks and small sedans that have included the Honda Civic Si, Honda Civic Type R, Subaru WRX, and Hyundai Veloster N, just to name a few. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has become the hot-hatch class standard.
For 2020, the Volkswagen GTI model lineup includes the $28,595 base S, the $32,195 midlevel SE, and the $36,495 range-topping Autobahn. Destination charges add $920. A dual-clutch automatic is an $800 upcharge over the base manual transmission. All models are equipped exclusively with front-wheel drive.