Used Volkswagen Golf GTI 2020-present review

If what you fancy is a hot hatchback that won't break the bank, won't offend the eye and won't have you reaching for the headache tablets after every journey, you need to have the Volkswagen Golf GTI on your shortlist, if not at the very top of it.

Classy yet classless, the iconic GTI has been around through various generations since 1976. This latest one is the eighth-generation car, a replacement for the splendid 2013-2020 Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The GTI recipe is pretty simple; you take the standard VW Golf family hatchback – solid, refined and comfortable – and turn up the wick, adding increased speed, more sporty handling and some subtle visual updates both inside and out to support its heightened sporting air.

To that end, under the bonnet of this one is a 242bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (the 2.0 TSI 245), which, as usual, drives the front wheels. To please enthusiasts, there's a six-speed manual gearbox (which comes as standard), or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for more everyday usability.

If that's not quite sharp enough for you, there’s also the GTI Clubsport, which gets a huge power hike to 296bhp as well as a raft of suspension upgrades. This comes solely with the automatic gearbox.

Equipment levels are high. The Golf GTI comes with 18in alloy wheels, twin exhausts, adaptive cruise control, three-zone climate control, sports front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding door mirrors, privacy glass and keyless entry and start.

On the road, it feels pretty swift, with perfectly spaced gear ratios allowing you to make excellent use of the engine’s broad spread of power. You can feel when that kicks in just below 2000rpm and drags you keenly into the power band, from where it revs to its red line with great enthusiasm.

Naturally, the Clubsport version feels even quicker, with 0 to 62mph coming up in 5.6sec and its top speed limited to 155mph. It also has a lower final drive than the regular GTI. There’s an electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip differential at the front too, the suspension is 10mm lower all around and there are a few external indications – no Clubsport badges but a different lower grille, rear spoiler, sill extensions and graphics.

Both GTIs have quick and responsive steering that is accurate and smooth. Both ride firmly, although the standard car never threatens to annoy. The Clubsport is firmer but has an adaptive chassis control that means the ride, though stiff, is at least well-mannered.

The driver’s seat in the Volkswagen Golf GTI is figure-huggingly bolstered and keeps you in place in quick corners. It can also be adjusted for height and lumbar support and there’s plenty of reach adjustment to the steering wheel.

The dashboard has no physical buttons, just touch-sensitive controls for the lights and a few other features, plus touch-sensitive sliders to adjust the interior temperature and volume. Alas, that makes everything needlessly distracting to operate on the move.

What isn’t controlled via the touch-sensitive buttons on the dashboard is controlled from the infotainment touchscreen. The system’s software is clearly designed to look good, but VW forgot to make it intuitive. That means you find features buried in locations that make absolutely no sense. Even when you can find what you want, the software is unresponsive a lot of the time.

There's loads of space in the front of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. In the rear, things are a little less generous. The latest VW Golf has dropped behind the leaders for rear seat space, so both the Ford Focus ST and Honda Civic Type R will offer your rear passengers more space to lounge about in. Mind you, the GTI isn't cramped, because you can still sit two tall adults in the back.

The boot is a good size but, like the rear seats, it's not mammoth by the standards of other rivals. It'll fit a pushchair but will struggle to fit a set of golf clubs lengthways.

If you're interested in finding a used Golf GTI, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

There's still a huge demand for the Mk8 Golf GTI and its residual values are very strong.

Having said that, you can buy one of the first GTIs from 2020 now for around £25,000 – a useful saving on the price of a new one. The Clubsport model will set you back slightly more, with used prices starting at about £29,000, representing a similar saving off the price of a new one to the standard GTI.

Spend between £26,000 and £32,000 on later GTIs from 2022 and 2023, and between £30,000 and £38,000 on nearly new Clubsports.

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MPG

The standard GTI DSG claims an average 38.7mpg under the WLTP fuel tests, the Clubsport 38.2mpg.

CO2 emissions

The regular GTI with a manual gearbox has CO2 emissions of 139g/km and the GTI and Clubsport 167g/km with the DSG 'box.

Road tax

Annual tax for cars registered after the changes of April 2017 will be charged an annual flat rate fee. The current flat rate is £180 a year. A luxury car tax levied on cars that cost £40,000 or more will add £390 a year to that from years two to six.

To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groupings have been kept low for the Golf GTI and range from 32 to 39, depending on power output.

Servicing costs are moderate next to some of its high-performance brethren, but perhaps more than you’d pay for the average Ford or Vauxhall. VW also offers a number of differing servicing plans that help you plan for and spread the cost of the next two services.

Buy the standard Golf GTI and you’ll be riotously happy, but if you can find and afford a Clubsport model (which will set you back a little more) you'd be overjoyed.

For our money, if you were buying the standard GTI we’d seek out the seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic over the manual, because it’s smooth, slick and generally quick in operation. The Clubsport comes with the auto 'box as standard.

Our favourite Volkswagen Golf GTI Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 GTI Clubsport DSG

The Ford Focus ST has fine handling and a great driving position, and on top of that it’s great value for money as a used buy. It’s fun to drive and yet has plenty of room inside for the family. Its steering can fight under hard acceleration, though, and it’s beginning to feel just a little dated in this company.

The Hyundai i30N is one impressive car, with a responsive engine, great exhaust note, awesome ability on a winding road and it’s well equipped too. It’s not quite as classy all-round as the Golf GTI, but runs it pretty close.

The previous-gen Honda Civic Type R has a similar no-holds-barred attitude to the 2018-2022 Renault Mégane RS, and in all its guises it’s tremendous fun to drive. It's a real hoot to drive and a screamer, too, as long as you can put up with its slightly firm ride.

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