2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI gets 23 to 27 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)) at 27 mpg.
How the Golf/GTI ranks in its class
In the Compact Cars class for 2024, the Golf/GTI ranks 15th of 22 for combined mileage (27 mpg), 8th of 22 for yearly fuel cost ($2,300 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 15th of 22 for tailpipe CO2 (323 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 29.5 mpg, costs $2,600 a year and puts out 300 grams per mile.
Across all 262 2024 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 25 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 261 other models, 88 get more miles per gallon than the 2024 Golf/GTI's best version, 11 other models get the same and 162 get less. The 2024 Golf/GTI's cheapest version costs $2,300 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 255 other models with a cost figure, 58 cost less, 4 the same and 193 more.
Nearest models in the class (places 12 to 17 of 22)
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2024. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2024 BMW 3 Series | 2024 330i Sedan | 29 | $2,650 | 158 |
| 13 | 2024 BMW 2 Series | 2024 228i Gran Coupe | 28 | $2,750 | 315 |
| 13 | 2024 BMW 4 Series | 2024 430i Gran Coupe | 28 | $2,750 | 312 |
| 15 | 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTIThis car | 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)) | 27 | $2,300 | 323 |
| 16 | 2024 Cadillac CT4 | 2024 CT4 (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 26 | $3,000 | 345 |
| 17 | 2024 Acura TLX | 2024 TLX FWD | 25 | $3,100 | 352 |
| 17 | 2024 Lexus IS | 2024 IS 300 | 25 | $3,100 | 355 |
Your fuel cost
Pick a 2024 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)), 4-cyl 2.0 L: 24 mpg city, 33 highway, 27 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2024 Golf/GTI version is $2,300 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
Compare with a rival
The 3 nearest rivals in the Compact Cars class for 2024, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Golf/GTI costs $283 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Golf/GTI costs $1,415 less to fuel than the 2 Series (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
- 2024 BMW 2 Series
- 2024 BMW 4 Series
- 2024 Cadillac CT4
The Golf/GTI against its nearest rivals
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2024 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Golf/GTI (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Golf/GTI | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 BMW 2 Series | 2024 228i Gran Coupe | 28 mpg | $2,750 | 1 higher | $450 more a year | - |
| 2024 BMW 4 Series | 2024 430i Gran Coupe | 28 mpg | $2,750 | 1 higher | $450 more a year | - |
| 2024 Cadillac CT4 | 2024 CT4 (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 26 mpg | $3,000 | 1 lower | $700 more a year | - |
Every version of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
EPA test figures for 2024; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-wheel | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,300 | 323 | cheapest |
| 2024 GTI (Manual 6-spd) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Manual 6-spd | Front-wheel | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,300 | 327 | cheapest |
| 2024 Golf R (Automatic (AM-S7)) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-wheel | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,100 | 349 | +$800 |
| 2024 Golf R (Manual 6-spd) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Manual 6-spd | All-wheel | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 | 382 | +$1,050 |
Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2024 version pay back?
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2024 Golf/GTI; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Emissions
Tailpipe CO2: the 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)) puts out 323 grams per mile; across the 4 tested versions the figure runs from 323 to 382.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)): fuel economy score 5, greenhouse gas score 5.
Mileage by model year
Best combined figure of the Golf/GTI gas version and electric version each model year since 2016, set against the 2024 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best electric (MPGe) | Versions tested | Against 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 29 mpg | 116 MPGe | 9 | 2 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2017 | 29 mpg | 119 MPGe | 13 | 2 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2018 | 29 mpg | 119 MPGe | 13 | 2 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2019 | 32 mpg | 119 MPGe | 13 | 5 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2020 | 32 mpg | none | 4 | 5 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2021 | 33 mpg | none | 4 | 6 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2022 | 28 mpg | none | 4 | 1 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2023 | 28 mpg | none | 4 | 1 mpg higher than 2024 | |
| 2024This page | 27 mpg | none | 4 | this page | |
| 2025 | 27 mpg | none | 2 | same as 2024 | |
| 2026 | 27 mpg | none | 2 | same as 2024 |
Compared with the 2023 model: 4 versions were tested then and 4 now; the best figure went from 28 to 27 mpg (down 1).
The 2025 model has 2 tested versions.
| Version in 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2024 GTI (Manual 6-spd), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | no change |
| 2024 Golf R (Automatic (AM-S7)), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 25 mpg | 26 mpg (listed in 2023 as Golf-R (Automatic (AM-S7))) | -1 mpg |
| 2024 Golf R (Manual 6-spd), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg (listed in 2023 as Golf-R (Manual 6-spd)) | no change |
Safety record
Crash-test ratings, 2024
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (as GOLF GTI). The U.S. safety agency's ratings list returned no star ratings for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested, so this means "not rated by NHTSA", not a good or a bad result.
Owner complaints, 2024
29 complaints for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 7 | |
| Service Brakes | 7 | |
| Power Train | 6 | |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 |
2 of the 29 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Safety recalls
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (as GOLF GTI). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no recalls for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14. Recalls can be added later; check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
More Compact Cars for 2024
Other 2024 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Golf/GTI itself is at 27 mpg.
Other Volkswagen models of 2024
More Volkswagen models that have a 2024 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
Common questions
Which 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI gets the best mileage?
The 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)) with 27 mpg combined (24 city, 33 highway).
How much does a 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI cost to fuel for a year?
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI costs between $2,300 and $3,350 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2024 GTI (Automatic (AM-S7)) at $2,300; the dearest is the 2024 Golf R (Manual 6-spd) at $3,350. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
What mileage does the all-wheel-drive Golf/GTI get?
2024 Golf R (Automatic (AM-S7)): 25 mpg combined (22 city, 31 highway); 2024 Golf R (Manual 6-spd): 23 mpg combined (20 city, 28 highway).
How does the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI rank among 2024 Compact Cars models?
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is 15th of 22 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2024 Toyota Corolla at 50 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 29.5 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2024 BMW 4 Series at 28 mpg and the next one behind is the 2024 Cadillac CT4 at 26 mpg.
Did the Golf/GTI change from 2023 to 2024?
The 2023 model had 4 tested versions and the 2024 model has 4. The best figure went from 28 to 27 mpg (down 1).
How did the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI do in crash tests?
No star ratings were returned for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested.
Do owners complain about the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
29 complaints for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Unknown Or Other (8 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
Does the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI have recalls?
The agency's database returned no recalls for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI on 2026-11-14 (its model list has this car). Check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fresh these numbers are
For the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14 (no stars returned); complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.