^®

why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2009 Volkswagen GTI

change

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 3 photos

1

Select / Browse a Car
2

Configure Your Car
3

See Car Value

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 Volkswagen GTI Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Costing well under $25,000, the 2009 Volkswagen GTI returns to its roots by infusing razor-sharp handling with spirited acceleration. Thanks to the GTI's clever hatchback design, drivers can enjoy true German-engineered performance without having to sacrifice comfort for four people or a roomy cargo hold. Although now larger and heavier than the original car, the GTI remains a manageable size and features its most powerful engine to date: A turbocharged 2.0-liter unit pumping out 200 horsepower. Drivers can choose between a slick-shifting six-speed manual or Volkswagen's marvelous Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic, which is without question the best auto-manual transmission money can buy.

You'll Like This Car If...

A powerful, flexible engine combined with flat, responsive handling, a lot of grip in the corners and front-wheel-drive predictability make the 2009 Volkswagen GTI a joy to drive enthusiastically wherever appropriate.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the 2009 Volkswagen GTI out-muscles the Honda Civic Si, MINI Cooper S and Mazda MAZDA3 s, it's also 400 to 600 pounds heavier than those competitors. In fact, this biggest GTI ever weighs as much as Volkswagen's Passat midsize sedan. The extra weight isn't readily apparent, but it's certainly no advantage, either.

What's New for 2009

The Cold Weather package, which features heated washer nozzles and heated seats, is now standard equipment on every 2009 GTI.

Driving the GTI

Driving Impressions The 2009 Volkswagen GTI drives as true to the original as a 3,300-pound, turbocharged car can be expected. It's on the heavy side, but steering is razor-sharp and cornering grip...

is tenacious and flat (a mid-corner bump can startle the GTI, but it recovers quickly). It's turbocharged, but turbo lag is virtually non-existent, boost is silky, there's plenty of torque available almost immediately and torque steer has been all but eliminated. Like the best GTIs before it, the newest is fun around town and confidence-inspiring on even unfamiliar mountain and canyon roads. The six-speed manual works like a charm, but it doesn't take too long to be won over by the six-speed DSG gearbox that shifts quickly and smoothly at the push of a button. The highway ride might be stiff for some, but anyone expecting this level of performance might find it downright comfortable.

Favorite Features

Six-Speed Direct Shift Gearbox
In stop-and-go traffic it's a smooth-shifting automatic transmission. On your favorite road or track it's a quick-shifting, no-pedal manual. You won't miss the clutch pedal as much as you may think.

Front Seats
Well-bolstered heated cloth seats and even deeper leather ones provide plenty of support to keep you from having to fight the lateral forces you're having so much fun generating. They're also supremely comfortable.

2009 Volkswagen GTI Details

Interior

The interior of the GTI is crafted with a level of materials and build quality that outclasses some very good competition. Highlights include aluminum pedals and trim, leather steering wheel, handbrake and shift knob and a cooled storage compartment under the front armrest. At night, controls are illuminated in Volkswagen's now-familiar blue and red scheme. In back, passengers get their own heating, ventilation and air conditioning vents, while a 60/40 split folding seatback extends the car's hatchback functionality. Did we mention the fantastic heated sport bucket seats? They are arguably the best in this class.

Exterior

In homage to first- and second-generation GTIs, the newest model features a thin red grille surround and original-style GTI logos. Other highlights include a honeycomb mesh grille, low-set fog lights, mirror-integrated turn indicators, discreet rear spoiler and red brake calipers visible through 17-inch wheels. As practicality is still a hallmark of the VW brand, a four-door version is also available. Oddly, VW packages the available sunroof with the 18-inch Hufeisen alloy wheels, meaning if you wish to choose one of the other various available wheels you must either forego the sunroof or pay for an extra set of rims.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Standard equipment on a base GTI includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, HID xenon headlamps with washers, fog lights, power locks with remote keyless entry, one-touch power windows, heated power mirrors, heated front seats and washer nozzles, air conditioning, cruise control, multifunction trip computer, 10-speaker AM/FM/6CD-MP3 sound system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, cloth sport seats, tilt and telescoping leather steering wheel with audio and telephone controls (plus paddle shifters on DSG-equipped models), leather shift knob and 17-inch wheels. Standard safety equipment includes front, front-side and two-row side-curtain airbags, plus electronic stability and traction aids. Summer performance tires can be swapped for all-season performance tires at no cost.

Optional Equipment

Equipment not included on a base GTI includes a six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), rear seat side-impact airbags (four-door models), the Sunroof Package which adds a power glass sunroof and 18-inch wheels, and the Autobahn Package which adds leather sport seats with power-adjustable lumbar. Also available is a premium sound system, a host of 17- and 18-inch wheel options and a 30 gigabyte hard drive navigation system.

Under the Hood

The GTI's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine benefits from FSI direct fuel injection that helps to counteract turbo lag and provide more of the low-end torque that's long been a GTI calling card. The optional six-speed DSG transmission adds just over $1,000 to the price but provides slightly quicker zero to 60-miles-per-hour runs (just 6.8 seconds, according to VW) and marginally better combined fuel economy.

2.0-liter in-line 4
200 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
207 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 (manual), 22/29 (automatic)

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 Volkswagen GTI Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.7

Out of 5

Based on 177 Ratings for the 2006 - 2009 Volkswagen GTI models.

Review this car

Value

4.6/5

Quality

4.6/5
Reliability

4.5/5

Performance

4.8/5
Comfort

4.6/5

Styling

4.7/5

Among turbocharged cars, best value for the $

By Alex (PA) on Monday, February 06, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,500

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5

Pros: "exterior looks, upgrade-bility, fun to drive"

Cons: "interior could be better (improved in 2010 )"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"when i bought it in 09, it came down to the GTI or Civic Si. While HP was rated the same for both cars at 200, GTI had more torque, and since there was virtually no price difference i went with the GTI. Looking back I am really glad i did. While both of these cars are probably equally reliable, i found that VWs have unmatched support network of LICENSED aftermarket performance shops, allowing VW owners to gradually upgrade their car (stages 1-3). Near my factory warranty expiration i let APR guys perform a stage 1 upgrade (basically just the engine software upgrade) which increased HP on the stock engine from 200 to 250 and torque from 205 to 350 lbs/ft. On a stock engine! Love love love my GTI."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Solid little car that knows how to run! And fast!!

By imbuttahz (AZ) on Thursday, February 02, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

5 4.0

overall rating 4 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 4/5
Quality: 3/5
Performance: 5/5
Styling: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "Quick quick quick, DSG transmission, blue gauges"

Cons: "Manual seats, plastic paddle shifters"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My second GTI and fourth VW is getting an extended stay in my garage--with a lease buyout. After 3 years of driving my MK5 2009 GTI 2-door, I love it so much that I've decided to purchase the vehicle. Initially I planned on getting the car equipped with a 6-speed stick. I figured that was a no-brainer. I was so wrong! I fell in love with the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) 6-speed automatic at first sight. The GTI handles like a VW and is just fun to drive. Period. I would change one thing however: replacing the stock manual seats with automatic ones."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse