Two Golf body styles are available: a three-door hatchback and a five-door hatchback. (The rear hatch counts as a door.) Volkswagen lists GTIs as separate models, but we are lumping them together. All GTIs are three-door models.
Volkswagen offers more engine options for its compact than any other manufacturer. Four engines are available: a 115-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4, a new 150-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4, a 174-horsepower 2.8-liter VR6, and a 90-horsepower 1.9-liter TDI turbocharged diesel inline-4.
Retail prices for the Golf and GTI model lines: GL 2.0L 3-Door ($14,900); GL TDI 3-Door ($16,195); GLS 2.0L 5-Door ($16,350); GLS TDI 5-Door ($17,400); GLS 1.8T 5-Door ($17,900); GTI GLS 1.8T 3-Door ($19,225); GTI GLX 3-Door ($22,620).
GTI GLX comes with Volkswagen's 2.8-liter narrow-angle V6. The new 1.8-liter turbocharged engine is replacing the 2.0-liter as the base engine for the GTI. Volkswagen is phasing out the 2000 GTI GLS 2.0-liter ($17,675).
All models come standard with a five-speed manual gearbox. Optional automatic transmissions typically add $875. A Leather Package is available for the GTI GLS for $850.