This is a tragedy.
I AM CRYING, and so are you.
It’s as though VW’s enduring soul dies with the 2024 GTI and R.
The Mk8 GTI isn’t all that pretty but it’s damn good and if you can afford one, BUY IT NOW!
The 6M should be a $2,500 option! It shouldn’t be killed… It never hurt anyone…

It is with a heavy heart that I bring you this review. I am grief-stricken, disappointed, and soaking with sadness. The Volkswagen GTI, a car born in June 1976, mere weeks after my own birth, is in many ways meeting its end in 2024. This car, which has fueled my passion for decades, is being phased out, and it’s like losing an old friend.

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI | Photo: Matt St-Pierre

I’ll clear up a few points. The GTI and Golf R return with subtle modifications for the 2025 model year, as the updated Mk8.5 generation cars. I won’t elaborate on the changes as, in truth, only one matters: The 6-speed manual transmission will be dropped from both cars. While it is true that the Jetta GLI will remain available with three pedals, the last and final one at Volkswagen, and that it is a good car, I can’t… I just can’t forgive this decision.

My generation

I’ve been a fan of the GTI for as long as I can remember. It’s not just the GTI that I love; the Civic SI, the WRX, and all those sporty compact cars, and their predecessors and kin have a special place in my heart. But the GTI, and the Golf family, defined a generation. While muscle cars defined the generation before mine, the GTI was our icon. For 48 years, it served a benchmark and a canvas from which VW created one of the greatest automotive legacies in history.

From the GTI, we got the Rallye Golf, the Golf Country (kinda…), the ultra-rare Golf Limited, Golf R32, Golf R, GTI TCR, not to mention that it also spawned the Jetta GLI/GTX, and the sporty versions of the MK2 Scirocco 16V. And by extension, the Corrado.

I don’t really feel like reviewing the 2024 Golf GTI here. I’d much prefer to ramble on naming all the cool compact JDM and Euro cars I got to be around from the early 90s into the early 2010s from Toyota, Subaru, HONDA, Volkswagen, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi (Diamond-Star), and Suzuki. And out of respect, a few Chevys and Fords. Just thinking about these cars, from the Swift GT to the Eagle Talon TSi, from the MR2 to the NX2000, from the Civic Si to the GTI, I get chills. The “new generation” of car enthusiasts, let’s call them “Tesla”, will never know what it’s like to put their life on the line in a 2,000 lb car doing 90 in a 50 zone at 7,250 rpm, or 500 rpm past the redline. I sad for them.

Fine, the GTI

This 2024 GTI, the one in the gallery, has a manual transmission, and it’s precisely why I drove it. It’s why I don’t want to give it back. This car is so damn good, even if it’s not the prettiest from the front. But from the rear, it’s quite handsome. I love the taillight treatment and the overall profile, which is sleek and stylish.

The GTI lineup is simple is Canada and starts at $34,195 for the base car with a 7-speed DSG. The Autobahn trim, which includes the six-speed manual transmission, is priced at $37,690, and the top trim Performance model is $41,495. The Performance model is the one I’m driving, and it’s worth every penny. However, it’s not the one to get. Forget about the stupid sunroof and rear heated seats: Authobahn. It’s in the name.

The GTI’s interior is classic Volkswagen: solid, sturdy, and filled with thoughtful details. The base model comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, LED lighting, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, heated front seats, the iconic plaid seats, and a heated steering wheel. The mid-trim Autobahn adds a 10-inch display, 19-inch wheels, and more. The Performance model tops it all off with stuff you don’t want like leather and cooled front seats.

Driving this GTI is an absolute joy. The EA888 Evo4 turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine delivers 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, making it far quicker than you think. The power band is consistent from start to finish, providing a thrilling push whether you’re accelerating from a stop or cruising on the highway. The GTI delivers that all-important sense of speed that is non-existent in EVs where you think you’re a low-flying rocket but you’re only barely breaking the speed limit. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes just over 6.0 seconds, however, from behind the wheels, thanks to the smooth endless delivery of torque, you’d swear the tonne came and went in under 4 seconds.

The manual transmission is a delight to use. It’s not as sharp as what you get in a Civic Type R or as mechanical as a BRZ, but it’s impeccably user-friendly and intuitive. The friction point on the clutch is easy to find, making it perfect for daily driving.

The dynamic chassis control (DCC)makes a world of difference. Whether you’re in Comfort or Sport mode, the ride is smooth and responsive. The platform is stiff yet comfortable, making the GTI equally at home on a track as it is in city traffic. With the Custom drive mode, the DCC should be set midway, the powertrain on Sport, and the childish and fake exhaust note on Eco. Now, your task is to seek out your favorite road and be thankful you’re alive.

**It’s not dead, but it is to me**

This car is a phenomenal blend of performance, comfort, and practicality. It’s everything a GTI should be. But knowing this is the last manual GTI makes it bittersweet. The DSG may be quicker, but nothing compares to the feeling of shifting gears yourself, heel-toe downshifting, and experiencing that direct connection with the car.

As I returned the car, I was filled with a profound sense of loss. The GTI has been a constant in my life, a source of joy and excitement. I’ve had the privilege of driving every generation, new from the MK4, and old from VW Klassik. And while I know Volkswagen’s investment in electric vehicles will bring us a new kind of GTI, it will never be the same without the manual transmission. This is the end of an era, and I am heartbroken.

If you’ve made it this far in the story, thank you for sharing this journey with me. Farewell, GTI. You will be missed.