2012 Volkswagen GTI

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Rating7.8

Ranked #4 in 

Compact Hatchback
Write Review
$23,995 - $31,695
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Premium quality build and materials used

Slow and sluggish acceleration for the segment

The 2012 Model receives LED daytime running light and other minor feature-Availablity revisions.

Comparatively, the GTI maintains good fuel economy

Choppy highway ride quality can be uncomfortable to deal with

Well-balanced handling characterstics

Specs & Features

$27,375

price

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

horsepower

207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

6-Speed Automatic w/Manual Shift

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI hatchback is a compact hatchback offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of 23,995. For that price, it mainly competes with the Ford Focus Hatchback, the MazdaSpeed 3, and the Subaru Impreza Hatchback. Between 2 trims, the Volkswagen GTI offers one powertrain. It is a 2.0L turbocharged Inline-4 engine making 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. However, there is a choice between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Volkswagen GTI reaches 60 MPH from zero in 7.3 seconds on its base engine. Depending on the powertrain, the Volkswagen GTI can manage a combined fuel economy of between 25 and 27 MPG. While we’re on the topic of choices, the 6 striking colors the Volkswagen GTI comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI comes in 2 trims out of which Autobahn trim is recommended. The Volkswagen GTI however comes in best in the 2.0T Autobahn DSG 4-door configuration ($1,700) is recommended for more performance and value for money.

Trims

    Base
    $23,995 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Climatic manual front air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Heated mirrors
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    Autobahn
    $29,995 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Navigation system
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$23,995- $31,695

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.81

Horsepower

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

Torque

207 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$19,499- $32,599

Gasoline

7.27

162 hp @ 6000 rpm

162 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

4

Read Review

$18,575- $21,905

Gasoline

7.79

180 hp @ 6000 rpm

173 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,995- $29,545

Gasoline

8.57

170 hp @ 5700 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Volkswagen GTI vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    SourceCompare
    7.4 sec14.7 sec
    7.7 sec15.8 sec
    2012 Scion TC

    Ranked #3

    7.9 sec16.0 sec
    8.7 sec16.6 sec

    2012 Volkswagen GTI vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      21 mpg31 mpg25 mpg14.5 gal.304.5/449.5 mi.
      2012 Scion TC

      Ranked #1

      23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/449.5 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/478.5 mi.
      20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg17.7 gal.354/495.6 mi.

      2012 Volkswagen GTI vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        165.8 in.70 in.57.8 in.5 in.101.5 in.
        180.4 in.72.2 in.53.2 in.5.7 in.101.4 in.
        2012 Scion TC

        Ranked #2

        174 in.70.7 in.55.7 in.6.3 in.106.3 in.

        2012 Volkswagen Golf R

        Ranked #3

        165.8 in.70 in.57.5 in.5 in.101.5 in.
        165.4 in.70.3 in.58.3 in.5.4 in.101.5 in.

        2012 Volkswagen GTI vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.3 cu.ft.93.5 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.
          15 cu.ft.93 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.
          2012 Scion TC

          Ranked #2

          14.7 cu.ft.88.4 cu.ft.34.5 cu.ft.
          15.7 cu.ft.81.6 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.

          2012 Volkswagen GTI vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            46 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.-
            29.6 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.50 ft.
            46 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.-
            2012 Scion TC

            Ranked #4

            34.5 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.34.5 cu.ft.-

            2012 Volkswagen GTI vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1076 lbs.3034 lbs.
              -3272 lbs.
              2012 Scion TC

              Ranked #1

              -3060 lbs.
              1078 lbs.2968 lbs.

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              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

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              #5

              2012 Volkswagen GTI

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 7.4 sec

              #6

              2012 Volkswagen Beetle

              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

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              2012 Volkswagen Golf

              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 7.7 sec

              #8

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              Horsepower : 115 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

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