Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI gets new LED daytime running lights and minor feature-availability revisions, but otherwise carries on unchanged.

• Good fuel economy.
• Supple ride
• Hatchback versatility
• Interior sophistication

• Lack of interior storage.
• Competitors are quicker and handle better

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 20.00

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  2 weeks and already down for repair - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By kkastner - March 22 - 3:22 am

  Love the Euro-feel of the car, hate the owner experience...only two weeks in and already proving to be what I feared it would be. Flywheel was defective and the car has 600 miles on it. Sitting outside at the dealer in the rain with the transmission out. Waiting for VW parts. Not encouraging, especially given that Ive already been down a negative road with VW/Audi in the past. If this one lemons out, it will be the 3rd out of 4 cars that VW is going to buy back. 1995 Golf (my first ever new car) - bought back by VW with engine and wheel bearing issues (1,200 miles) 2000 Audi A4 - great, never had a problem 2004 Audi Allroad - bought back by VW/Audi with electrical issues 2012 GTI - TBD

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  Does everything well - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By michel12 - June 18 - 9:48 pm

  I recently purchased a 2012 GTI with a DSG transmission and I think I like it. This is a car that does everything well: comfortable, fun to drive, excellent build quality, practical. My only criticism is with the DSG transmission. While the car is really fun to drive on Tiptronic, the Drive (D) mode is sluggish because the transmission shifts gears at very low speeds which makes it unresponsive especially on steep climbs, where it constantly hunts for the best gear. For those who dont mind driving a car with a manual transmission, I would advise to stay away from the DSG.

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  So Far, Love this Car - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By caseydog3 - January 11 - 8:45 pm

  After buying a new 2012 VW passat in July 2012, I decided to trade it in for a new 2012 GTI. While the passat was a nice BIG family sedan, I wanted to drive something fun and sporty. Also, I was having alot of trouble seeing at night with the Passat. Anyway, I got the new GTI over the weekend. It is so entirely different than the passat. I can understand why people say they look forward to driving it everyday. I feel the same way. The visibility, comfort and feel of the car is so great. Its smaller, but still has plenty of room. I find that Im playing the stereo less now because I like listening to the sound of the engine and the turbo.

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  The greatest fun to drive car value in the world! - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By hpowders - November 15 - 8:43 am

  Much more fun to drive than my 2007 Porsche 911 and my 2007 328i! Excellent suspension over the bumps. Incredible acceleration with the DSG. Very comfortable drivers seat. Nice thick sport steering wheel. Wonderfully balanced ride. Not at all harsh. You want harsh? Check out the Porsche 911 with 19" wheels or the 328i with run flat tires! Terrific interior and a real looker in Candy White! The best looking hatch Ive ever seen! This car was an absolute steal at $24,000! Never had so much fun in a car! There is absolutely no justification for Porsche to charge $100,000 for the 911 when at $24,000, the GTI provides so much more fun! If you love to drive, the GTI will put a smile on your face!

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  Great real car - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By dingol - April 22 - 6:50 pm

  I drive sports cars. I frequently end up selling them due to not being able to use all their power and features on the road. The GTI Gives real world performance. You can utilize all the gears without committing a felony. Well balanced. Powerful but not too much. Power comes on smoothly from about 2000 rpm (when boost is entered) all the way up. No need to keep it up at redline all day. I finally have a car that is comfortable enough to commute in yet still sporty enough to take the twisty way home. If youre a number racer, buy a Ferrari. If you love to drive pick up the gti. Easy real 4 passenger commuter near mini s performance. Corners near red territory.

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  First 30 days - Flawless - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By harlequin1971 - March 12 - 6:35 am

  I purchased my GTI a month ago and have driven it on a few 50+ mile rides and many shorter trips and can say that it has delivered on all the gripes I had with my 08 GLI. Traded out the manual for the DSG and it makes city driving much more peaceful, but the ability to go to the paddles for more spirited runs is just a flick away. The car is quiet - more so than my GLI had been. Getting 24-25 mpg on each tank with mainly city driving. Seems like 33mpg is possible on a road trip if you stay off the after burner. Wish I would have stepped up to the sunroof/convenience package, but otherwise, I am very happy - this one is a keeper!

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  So far, very impressed - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By zct808 - January 31 - 2:25 am

  Ive owned cars that cost $20K more than this GTI. Yet none of them were more refined, fun to drive, or as well executed as this car. The moment I took a test drive I was sold. The fun factor, the way it handles, the performance, the amazing build quality, the steering wheel and pedals, and the incredible DSG gearbox that has to be driven to be believed (it changes gears in 1/10th of a sec and is faster AND more economical than the slightly lighter and cheaper stick shift). I think this is one of the best value cars out there, even the base model is generously equipped. Its the most fun car Ive owned in a very long time, really loving it so far.

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  So far so good - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By deeperseoul - June 13 - 11:56 pm

  My first VW ever and digging it!. Ive always had interest in GTI and there was 0% apr opportunity back in July. One test drive pretty much sold me the car. My attachment of this car is almost equal to the time when i got my first car back in 1988(Nissan Maxima). Although, brand new car picked up from the dealer was already defective with faulty head light ballester, it has not given me any other issues so far. I see why people rave about this car...driving this car is very gratifying. It may not be the most powerful or reliable car but for me, this car has more personality than competitors.

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  Great car. - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By jdfoster - December 1 - 2:53 am

  2 weeks into ownership. Simply put, great car! Performance is fantastic. The DSG transmission must be experienced. Ultra smooth, instant shifts. Average MPG 31 city/hwy 70/30 combined. Front seats are extremely comfortable. In this price range, nothing comes close to matching the GTI.

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  The 50-mile review - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By nkanafan - September 20 - 5:43 pm

  This is a 50 mile "first impressions" for my GTI autobahn, DSG, 4dr. The plethora of positive reviews online are right: excellent build quality, amazing driving dynamics, quiet smooth ride for size, excellent brakes, and great looking with a squat, low stance. The DSG takes getting used to and does feel hesitant at first but "squirts" you around town. As with previous GTIs, torque is abundant. I put two boosters and a nine year old in the back no problem! They are skinny though. Issues. There are a few minor ergonomic foibles. With the correct driving position for me, the steering wheel obstructs the top of speedo. Some controls are too low and parts of them cannot be visualized.