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2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI
#5 Most Popular Wagon/Hatchback

2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Change year or vehicle
$15,746 — $24,538 USED
42
Photos
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Hatchback
5 Seats
28 MPG
(Combined)
 Key specs of the base trim
 — 
Compare 5 trims

Overview

Is this the car for you?
 (5) 82 reviews

The Good

  • Ride and handling
  • Dual-clutch transmission
  • Cabin quality and roominess
  • Good visibility
  • Brakes
  • Cargo versatility

The Bad

  • Steering feel
  • Acceleration wheel hop
  • Numb clutch pedal
  • Low touch-screen placement
2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI exterior side view

What to Know

about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI
  • Two- or four-door hatchback
  • Turbo four-cylinder engine standard
  • Manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission
  • Related to automaker's Golf hatchback

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2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

from the Cars.com expert editorial team

Vehicle Overview

What it is: The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a high-performance sibling of the Golf. It comes as a two- or four-door hatchback and has room for five people. Competitors include the Ford Focus ST, Subaru WRX and Mini Cooper S.
What’s Special

  • 210-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Thin honeycomb grille with red stripe
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Dual tailpipes
  • Plaid cloth upholstery; leather available
  • Performance Package raises engine output to 220 hp and includes larger brakes and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential
  • Available adaptive suspension

Here’s Info on the Regular Golf:
What it is: The Volkswagen Golf is available as a two- or four-door hatchback, or as a wagon. Power comes from a gas four-cylinder engine and the five-seat Golf competes with the Mazda3 hatchback, Hyundai Elantra GT and Mini Cooper. Volkswagen’s performance-oriented Golf GTI and Golf R are related, as is the e-Golf electric car.

(Skip to details on the Golf R, e-Golf)
New for 2017
A Wolfsburg Edition trim level joins the lineup above the S trim. It features a moonroof, simulated leather upholstery, keyless access with push-button start, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 16-inch aluminum wheels, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, and Wolfsburg Edition badges and floormats.

Meanwhile, the S trim level of the Golf SportWagen is now available wi...

Vehicle Overview

What it is: The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a high-performance sibling of the Golf. It comes as a two- or four-door hatchback and has room for five people. Competitors include the Ford Focus ST, Subaru WRX and Mini Cooper S.
What’s Special

  • 210-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Thin honeycomb grille with red stripe
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Dual tailpipes 
  • Plaid cloth upholstery; leather available
  • Performance Package raises engine output to 220 hp and includes larger brakes and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential
  • Available adaptive suspension

Here’s Info on the Regular Golf:
What it is: The Volkswagen Golf is available as a two- or four-door hatchback, or as a wagon. Power comes from a gas four-cylinder engine and the five-seat Golf competes with the Mazda3 hatchback, Hyundai Elantra GT and Mini Cooper. Volkswagen’s performance-oriented Golf GTI and Golf R are related, as is the e-Golf electric car.

(Skip to details on the Golf R, e-Golf)
New for 2017
A Wolfsburg Edition trim level joins the lineup above the S trim. It features a moonroof, simulated leather upholstery, keyless access with push-button start, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 16-inch aluminum wheels, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, and Wolfsburg Edition badges and floormats.

Meanwhile, the S trim level of the Golf SportWagen is now available with all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models can have a manual or automatic transmission.
Significant Standard Features

  • 170-hp, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine
  • Five-speed manual transmission
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Heated side mirrors
  • Split-folding rear seat with pass-through
  • Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
  • Air conditioning
  • Touch-screen stereo with iPod connectivity
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

  • Six-speed automatic
  • All-wheel drive (Golf SportWagen)
  • Heated front seats
  • Fender premium stereo
  • Navigation system
  • Keyless access with push-button start
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
  • Blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane departure warning
  • Power moonroof

Golf R
The Golf R is a range-topping performance hatchback based on the Golf and Golf GTI. It competes with the Subaru WRX STi and Ford Focus RS and employs all-wheel drive — a key difference from the front-drive Golf GTI. Drivers can choose a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
What’s Special

  • 292-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Xenon headlights with horseshoe-style LED daytime running lights
  • Quad exhaust pipes
  • Available adaptive suspension
  • Available 19-inch alloy wheels

Back to top
e-Golf
Volkswagen joined the growing list of automakers offering all-electric cars with the debut of the e-Golf for the 2015 model year. Based on the Golf four-door hatchback, the e-Golf has an EPA-estimated range of 83 miles.
What’s Special

  • Unique grille with blue accents
  • Touch-screen that offers a deeper look at the electric powertrain’s operation
  • 115-hp electric motor
  • Lithium-ion battery pack that’s located in the floor under the seats
  • Available 7.2-kilowatt onboard charger can replenish the battery in less than four hours
  • Three regenerative braking programs

Back to top

Consumer Reviews

What drivers are saying

5
82 reviews — Read All reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.7)
Performance
(4.9)
Interior Design
(4.8)
Comfort
(4.6)
Reliability
(4.8)
Value For The Money
(4.8)

Read reviews that mention:

(5.0)

Jack of all trades

by Juice from Baltimore, MD on January 17, 2021

GTI's do almost everything well. Economy, performance, flexibility, holds value, road car, back roads car, safety, comfort, feature-laden and now almost $10K less than the price of the average new ... Read full review

(5.0)

One of the best cars I have owned

by JVWguy from Phoenix, AZ on September 9, 2020

It is a fun car to own, great gas mileage and even if your not going to turn it into a rice burner it is still a awesome little car and gots alot of power, you can get around all these slow idiot ... Read full review

Safety

Recalls and crash tests

Recalls

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI currently has 0 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI S 2-Door

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
acceptable
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
acceptable
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
acceptable
Structure and Safety Cage
good
poor
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Warranty

New car and certified pre-owned programs by Volkswagen

New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    MY 2015-MY 2017 vehicles / 75,000 miles, MY 2018- MY 2019 vehicles/72,000 miles, MY 2020 and newer vehicles/ 75,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    For vehicles purchased on or after January 5, 2021: Model-year 2017 and older, 2 years/24,000 miles (whichever occurs first) limited warranty; model-year 2018-2019, 1 year/12,000 miles (whichever occurs first) limited warranty; model-year 2020 and newer, 2 years/24,000 miles (whichever occurs first) limited warranty

  • Dealer Certification Required

    100-plus point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    2 year 24-Hour

  • View All CPO Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website

Latest 2017 Golf GTI Stories

See all 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI articles

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Golf GTI received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker

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