2021 VW Golf GTI UK Pricing Announced, Costs More Than Rival FWD Hot Hatches

The new generation Volkswagen Golf GTI is finally available to order in the UK, with the standard six-speed manual from £33,460 ($42,580), and the seven-speed DSG which adds a £1,500 ($1,910) premium.

As a result, the German front-wheel drive hot hatch is more expensive than its rivals from Hyundai, Renault and Honda, with the i30 N starting at £29,810 ($37,935), the RS 280 at £28,995 ($36,900 – £32,995/$41,990 for the RS Trophy) and the Civic Type R from £32,820 ($41,765).

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The 2020 Golf GTI brings with it 18-inch ‘Richmond’ alloy wheels, chrome-plated tailpipes, roof spoiler and darkened LED taillights with dynamic turn signals. It also features the tartan upholstery, heated sports steering wheel wrapped in leather, aluminum gearshift knob, black metal chrome accents, keyless entry&go, three-zone climate control and several active and passive safety systems.

Power is provided by the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with 245 PS (242 HP / 180 kW) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) produced, sending you to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds with the DSG option, and up to 250 km/h (155 mph).

VW Golf GTE joins the lineup

Volkswagen has also started accepting orders for the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, which starts at £35,960 ($45,760). It combines a 150 PS (148 HP / 110 kW) 1.4-liter four-pot with a 110 PS (108 HP / 81 kW) electric motor, for a total of 245 PS (242 HP / 180 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). The electrified hot hatch can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds and will keep pushing up to 225 km/h (140 mph).

Video: 2021 VW Golf GTE – Check Out The Plug-in Hybrid Hot Hatch In Action

It returns a combined 176.6 mpg UK (1.6 l/100 km / 147.1 mpg US), emits 36 g/km of CO2 and has a 13 kWh battery pack, 50 percent larger than its predecessor’s, which gives it a zero-emission range of up to 51 km (32 miles).

The Golf GTE boasts a subtle exterior makeover, rides on 17-inch ‘Richmond’ wheels and packs the tartan upholstery as well, in addition to a wide selection of equipment, from the three-zone climate control to the heated steering wheel.

New mild-hybrid powertrain for the regular Golf

Besides opening the order books for the Golf GTI and GTE, the regular version of the car has also launched with a new mild-hybrid powertrain. The 1.0-liter eTSI 110 PS (108 HP / 81 kW) is limited to the Life trim level, will get to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.2 seconds, max out at 203 km/h (126 mph), while returning 54.3 mpg UK (5.2 l/100 km / 45.2 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 118 g/km.

Pricing starts at £25,190 ($32,055) and standard equipment includes LED headlights, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, Car2X system, Lane Assist, Front Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Driver Alert System and Adaptive Cruise Control.