Overview & Reviews

The Rabbit-based Volkswagen GTI hops into 2009 with the newly optional Thunderbunny Package, which includes sportier bodywork and exhaust tips. This is also the first year that every GTI will be PZEV-rated.

• Hatchback versatility, high-quality interior, potent turbocharged engine, excellent ride/handling balance.

• Relatively pricey, some competing models are faster and handle better.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 29.00

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  City Beater - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Steve - September 3 - 1:10 am

  I needed a city car, for down town Toronto driving -so we bought the DSG - finding myself using the paddles more often, to get the responsiveness I want . Love the car - beats driving the Mini Van ;)

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  German Engineering - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Andy - March 3 - 9:33 pm

  Just bought my GRAY 09 GTI this morning. Didnt go for the DSG, which costs 1200 more. Like the manual gear, just like in Germany. Very responsive and fast. the suspension is hard so you might feel a little bit bumpy. Like the SUNROOF and 18" all season tire. 24K is fair enough for such a car.

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  Terrific Hot Hatch - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Gnslngr - January 31 - 9:50 pm

  Looked for a car that had the utility of a four door hatch and was fun to drive - the GTI beats almost every other car on the market in the Fun-To-Drive category. There are some great forums for this car and some cool mods you can put on it. Im getting 30 mph even when I drive it like an F1 car. Fun, Fun, Fun til my wife takes the GTI away......... Oh, yea - dont forget the Launch Control. Its a blast with the DSG and makes the car, with the paddle shifters, the coolest little hatchback on the planet.

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  Hated to see it go - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By cibaknife - June 3 - 8:07 am

  First let me say this car is a blast to drive. Economical on gas, although it requires premium. Almost Audi-like quality for a much lower price. The most entertaining car I have ever had. I looked forward to driving it. The hatchback versatility was great. Now the bad: the first battery lasted about a year and gave out in the middle of a road trip. CEL came on another trip for an intake sensor. At 50k miles the intake manifold had to be placed. At 55K the mass airflow sensor went. Dealership had poor service. I got the car back from them and sold it. I dont have time to sit in a VW dealership or be without a car for weeks at a time. Hated to see it go, though.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Bob T - May 29 - 7:16 am

  Wanted a sports car wife, wanted 4 door SUV. Great compromise, handles like a sports car, fun to drive, gives us 4 doors and a little room in the back to carry stuff. Very responsive. Fun to drive good solid feeling and safety features. I recommend to anyone. Great price for a lot of fun and safety.

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  possibly the greatest daily of all time - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By eldaino2 - May 24 - 9:26 pm

  i can think of a more unbeatable combination of style, performance, and daily driveability. if you want a sport compact that can haul stuff, and people, efficiently, quietly, stylishly and look just at home on the track or local meet as it does taking your wife to a nice restaurant downtown and your kids to school, this is it. it strikes the perfect balance between sport and comfort (with a lean towards sport). other cars like the speed 3 and cobalt ss may be faster and handle a bit better, but they are by small margins, and those margins are not big enough to overlook what the GTI offers compared to those vehicles. a one trick pony it is not, but it very well may be the best dd of all time.

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  Great Car, Very Problematic - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By VW EHHH :( - May 21 - 2:46 pm

  I purchased this car and it seems I got unlucky with the buy vs other GTI owners who have never had any issues with the car. It has been one year, and already I have had about 3 major repairs done to the car. The car is great to drive, very fun, but I guess in my case very problematic and have been to the dealer with repairs in the last year over 7 times. From electrical issues, to an intake manifold being cracked from bad mold casting, to air conditioning falling apart and need replacement. However, I do recommend you purchase an extended warranty and VW has completed all repairs, but as far as satisfaction with the car. I am VERY VERY displeased and dissatisfied.

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  Have never looked back - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Matt - February 10 - 7:56 pm

  This is my 5th VW in my years. I grew up on them. Ive wanted a GTI like mine for many years. Black on black. I wanted a car that would be fun and give me good gas mileage at the same time, and this thing does it all. I live in an area with awesome curvy roads and I truly enjoy driving it. I average 28 mpg in everyday driving. You cant go wrong with it as a family car as well.

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  Nothing short of Amazing - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Vanbosch - November 19 - 10:00 pm

  I traded in my 2008.5 Mazda 3 Hatchback for my 09 GTI. After driving my wife’s 09 Rabbit I was sold on VWs build quality and driving dynamics but wanted something sportier than my 3. I absolutely hate the boy racer look of the new 2010 Speed3. I got an amazing deal on my GTI and havent stopped smiling since I parked it in my driveway. The new GTI is one of the best purchases I have ever made and have zero regrets trading in the Mazda. Volkswagen has earned a life long customer from my wife and me with their fun to drive, reliable and well built vehicles. The GTI satisfies in every way. From the precise handling to the punchy 2.0 Turbo engine and quality feel, I could not be more pleased.

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  Understated Elegance with a load of Zip - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By macdawg - September 30 - 9:36 pm

  Ive owned a lot of cars, but none have captured my heart like my Red GTI, with the six-speed manual. Have had it for 5 months, and put on 9,000 miles, with not a single issue, other than too much fun. I have to keep myself from making up reasons to run errands. Versatile, balanced, beautiful, compact but solid, easy to park, it flies like a mother, and is equally composed when cruising in a 25 mph zone. More fun to drive than my old AUDI A4, comparable to the 3-series we had. Im not sure Ill ever want to own another car than a GTI.