If you’ve been itching to get your hands on the redesigned 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI or Golf R, your wait is almost over. Both cars are about to arrive with refreshed styling, a host of go-fast upgrades, new tech, and an enthusiast-friendly manual transmission. And now, Volkswagen has finally announced what one of these hot hatchbacks is going to cost you.
According to Volkswagen, the 2022 VW GTI price starts at $30,540 and the 2022 VW Golf R price kicks off at $44,640. Both prices include a $995 destination charge to ship the car from Germany to your local dealership.

Volkswagen offers the 2022 GTI in S, SE, and Autobahn trim levels. Starting prices, including the $995 destination charge, are:
- GTI S: $30,540
- GTI SE: $35,290
- GTI Autobahn: $38,990
The new 2022 GTI has a familiar appearance, but new LED headlights, X-shaped foglights, and an available light bar in the grille give the car a more aggressive look. Inside, the traditional golf ball shift knob design and plaid upholstery remain standard.
Under its hood, the GTI has an updated version of Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder TSI engine. It now produces 241 horsepower (+13 hp) and 273 pound-feet of torque. Because the manual transmission proved itself a popular option in previous GTI models, it remains the standard gearbox. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) is optional for $800.
Volkswagen also equips the car with new vehicle dynamics settings. The system integrates with the electronic stability control, electronic differential lock, and the available DCC adaptive dampers. An electronically controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential is also standard, and VW claims it nearly eliminates torque steer, which is a common issue with powerful front-wheel-drive cars.

Returning after a one-year hiatus, the redesigned 2022 Volkswagen Golf R price starts at $44,640, including the $995 destination charge. That’s high, but the car comes in a single, well-equipped level of specification. Adding the DCT transmission bumps the price by $800. VW’s name for the DCT is Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG.
The Golf R gets a blue grille and brake calipers, unique wheels, and more aggressive styling details. For this model, Volkswagen massages the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine to turn out 315 horsepower (+27 hp) and 280 pound-feet of torque.
Like the GTI, the R comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. Upgrade to the 7-speed DCT, and torque jumps to 295 pound-feet (+15). A 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is standard, supplying rear-axle torque vectoring that can send up to 100 percent of the rear torque to an individual rear wheel.
Hatchbacks, especially hot hatchbacks, are a dying breed in general. Nevertheless, the Golf GTI and Golf R will face lively competition from both mainstream and luxury nameplates when they hit the streets later this year.
In addition to the the Hyundai Veloster N, which recently picked up a new DCT for 2021, the GTI will contend with the Mazda Mazda3 2.5 Turbo hatchback. And if you don’t mind a sedan body style, the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, and Subaru WRX offer alternatives. Meanwhile, the more expensive Golf R could prove itself a bargain compared to the BMW X2 M35i and Mercedes-Benz GLA35 AMG.
Volkswagen is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on July 14, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.