Eyeing the 2024 VW Golf GTI or R? With the Anniversary Edition off the table and only subtle tweaks for 2024, is it truly the upgrade you’re hoping for? Let’s find out!
Almost nothing new
In the US, if you have your heart set on a new Golf, your options are the GTI and its sportier sibling, the Golf R because Volkswagen decided to retire the base Golf here in 2021.
So, while our friends across the pond in Europe are all excited about the latest Golf facelift, over here things are a tad more chill.
Now, we know that the GTI and Golf R have their die-hard fans (and for good reasons!). But if you’re waiting for the 2024 models hoping for some groundbreaking changes, you might be a bit disappointed. The updates are, let’s say, on the minimal side. So don’t wait for the 2024 Golf especially since there’s some bittersweet news around the corner: the iconic six-speed manual transmission is taking its final bow after 2024.
Speaking of iconic, the term /”hot hatch/” might as well have a picture of the Golf R and GTI next to it in the dictionary. Yes, they are great cars, but here’s the scoop for 2024: power-folding mirrors across the board and rolling out some snazzy 19-inch wheels. Yep, that’s it.
But if you’re hunting special editions, there might be a special treat for you: the GTI 380 package. This is a special package that all manual GTIs will be fitted with for their final year of production. The 380 will be offered with exclusive features like an exclusive paint color, the black 19-inch wheels from the Golf R20 Anniversary Edition and standard adaptive dampers on all trims. Yes, it will be like a farewell tour for the manual.
Apart from these, nothing changes on the Golf R or GTI. Under the hood of the Golf R you’ll find the same turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that pumps out a solid 315 horsepower, attached to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed direct-clutch automatic transmission. You also get all-wheel drive as standard, torque-vectoring and adaptive shock absorbers. The aesthetics are also nice, especially for enthusiasts. The Golf R rolls on sleek 19-inch wheels equipped with summer performance tires. Inside, you get power-adjustable leather seats, a heated leather steering wheel, three-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, navigation, a 10-inch infotainment touch screen with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system. But we’ll come back to that.
The GTI is the smaller brother, powered by a 241-hp 2.0-liter turbo engine and you are also served with the choice of a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. And while the dual-clutch offers rapid shifts and a better fuel economy (we’ll get to that later on), there’s something genuinely satisfying about that 6-speed manual.
Annoying infotainment and driver controls
Alright, the Golf GTI and Golf R are cool, powerful and fun cars. So far we said it’s not worth it to wait for the 2024 models, but if there’s one reason why you should avoid them altogether, it’s the annoying media system. Let us break it down.
The interior of the Golf R, while sleek and modern, has taken a turn that might not sit well with everyone. The traditional tactile experience of hard buttons and knobs, which many drivers have come to love for their simplicity and ease of use, has been completely erased.
Now, nearly every function is integrated into a touchscreen display or a touch-sensitive pad. This shift to haptic controls, especially on the steering wheel, can be quite frustrating. Imagine driving hard and your thumb accidentally changes the driving mode or triggers the wheel-heating function. It’s not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a disruption that takes your focus away from the road.
The infotainment system, in particular, has been a point of maximum annoyance. While it boasts a large screen, especially in the SE and higher trims, its touch capacitive “slider” controls can be exasperating. The intuitive nature of simple volume and turning knobs is long gone. Sure, the base S trim retains these knobs, but as you move up the range, you’re left grappling with a non-intuitive interface.
It’s not just about nostalgia or resistance to change. It’s about poor functionality and user friendliness. The climate or volume control sliders on the 10-inch crisp touchscreen end up being more difficult than their physical counterparts. And while the Golf R does come standard with a premium 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and popular Apple CarPlay, AndroidAuto or Wi-Fi hotspot features, the overall user experience in the cockpit is still annoying.
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