My Thoughts Exactly: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen of America saw this and figured “we better give our customers a Rabbit GTI.” The Fall of 1982 brought a Rabbit GTI to performance-hungry enthusiasts.
It is story that has been developing since its first appearance in 1975 back in (West) Germany. It was s smart move to add a “performance” version of their newly popular Golf – the spiritual successor to the popular Type 1/Beetle – at a price point for the masses.
Word spread to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean of this newly minted hot hatch. It was that weren’t satisfied with a mere Rabbit, as we call the Golf on our shores. A Rabbit GTI would create a new legend for Volkswagen and the enthusiast community. A community that was getting the wrong end of the stick with V8-powered Fox-body Mustangs and half-assed Monzas.
That did not stop Rabbit owners from converting their cars to GTIs. Replete with European grille, bumpers, uprated motors, wheels…the whole nine.

Volkswagen of America saw this and figured “we better give our customers a Rabbit GTI.”
The Fall of 1982 brought a Westmoreland, Pennsylvania-built Rabbit GTI to performance-hungry enthusiasts. Some rejoiced. Others wished it would come in the more European trimming instead of seal-beam rectangular headlamps and federally mandated bumpers.
But, hey, we lapped up those first GTIs. Moreso, the second-generation models. Motor Trend handed off their Caliper trophy for the 1985 Car of The Year. Car and Driver would soon follow with their 10Best designation. The rest is…history.
Now, we’re in its eight-generation model. Things have changed a bit. The 2023 GTI is the lowest priced Golf you can get in the USA. It comes in four trim levels, so it’s really its own special vehicle.

Special? Consider what the GTI has meant for Volkswagen worldwide. It started a new segment – the affordable hot hatch. It engaged enthusiasts worldwide by delivering on the promise of a fun-to-drive car that is truly fun-to-drive.
But, is this eight-generation model still do the trick for those of us who have taken to heart the GTI’s mission on this planet?
Design-wise, there is no revolutionary leap in its exterior looks. It is evolutionary, taking its cues from the previous generation model and adding current brand touches. The front end no longer has an upper grille, but a honeycomb lower one for airflow into the engine bay. Fog lamps take up five bulbs within the lower grille. Every light is LED, including the taillamps.

Still, it seems that only a few details were tweaked between the seventh and eighth generation Golfs. Perhaps, Volkswagen has taken the approach of making what’s familiar accessible for repeat consumers.
As I mentioned before, there are four trim levels available on the Golf GTI. Our tester is the S – the entry point for all Golf models in the USA. The only thing I see that’s different is a set of 18-inch polished alloy wheels. Still, you know it’s a GTI not by its badge, but its personality.
Before we dive deeper into the GTI’s interior, can we talk about the tartan cloth upholstery? If anything else points to the core of a Golf GTI – it’s exactly that!

For the eighth-generation model, the S trim’s tartan cloth fits as an insert to a high back front bucket seats and the rear split bench one. Plenty of black, gray and red to marry heritage with 2023. And, I love it!
The new high back front seats are part of a slew of changes to the eighth-generation’s cabin. The analog dials have bene replaced with a 10.25-inch fully Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster. It is customizable and set to your mood.
One look at the center console and you’d thought that the Volkswagen designers may have wandered astray. No worries. The ignition button is rectangular. The DSG’s transmission switch is a toggle with a button for Park. It may not be the Volkswagen you are familiar with, but it’s easy to use. Trust me.

S models get the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen styled in the latest version of the MIB system. You do get smartphone mirroring through a USB connection. A standard set of speakers do the job as far as sound is concerned.
Interior space s what you’d expect in a Golf GTI. Average adults can fit nicely inside. Cargo space is down a bit from the seventh-generation model- 19.9 cubic foot behind the rear seats, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with them down.
The venerable EA888 engine gets a power bump for the eight-generation model. The 2.0-liter turbocharged unit now has 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. You can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Our tester had the latter, and it was still responsive to the engine’s demands. No matter which transmission you choose, your expectations for performance will be met.

What about fuel economy? We averaged 34.3 MPG – which was very good in our book.
Another huge step in the GTI's growth centered on resolving the biggest issue prior models were known for – torque steer. The fight between the driveline and the final drive wheels had been part and parcel of the GTI's story. Not on this eighth-generation model. We found that the absence of torque steer in a Golf GTI is a welcomed change that should be celebrated by enthusiasts everywhere.
The ride quality of the GTI is quite firm. You get plenty of feedback on rougher road surfaces. It is really what you expect in a hot hatch, really. If you twist the bends or avoid something on the road, there is plenty of sharpness in the overall handling.
Proof is this is in the steering system. It was very responsive. On-center feel was pretty good. As for the brakes, overall stopping power was very good in normal and panic situations. Yet, we found the brake pedal action experienced some lag at times.

As I mentioned before, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI is available in four trim levels. That includes a special 40thAnniversary model. Pricing starts at $30,530. Our S tester with the DSG came with a sticker price of $32,425.
We know that the Volkswagen Golf GTI defies the narrative that leans towards SUVs over cars in today’s market. It does so by referencing its past and present. It ensures that consumers looking for a hot hatch or sports compact can own one without apology.
In other words, the Golf GTI remains relevant in its eighth generation. It acknowledges its history – including the years prior to its official arrival in the USA – and moves the performance bar forward.

For the enthusiast, you know there is no substitute for a sports compact or hot hatch. There should be no substitute for the Golf GTI. This is the narrative that has been valid since 1975 when Volkswagen introduced a quicker Golf – er, Rabbit – to the universe.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Volkswagen of America
All photos by George Torline