2016 Volkswagen GTI Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2021 2020 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
25 City / 33 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
210 -220
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Mike C
Quick overview of GTL features.
Great fuel economy, high quality interior parts and features, reliable performance, tasteful design, excellent sound system, transmission works great, has quite a bit of cargo space, very comfortable seats, fun to drive, interior Accent lighting looks fantastic, included the lighting package and the front headlights are amazing.
accountCircle Sam T
No matter what year you get, it's a quality product.
Nice little car. Good performance from a reputable company. Low maintenance and good cargo space. Very fast.
accountCircle Jake S
My car is really fast kept up with an Audi staged 1.
I love my performance pack it is tuned and it drives so well but I have had some problems with my struts they have been squeaking a lot and I took it to the dealership and they told me it was my springs and it wasn’t even my springs the whole time it was my struts anyways the inside is nice and I love the little golf ball shifter.
accountCircle jaclyn W
It's the best and looks nice
I like the plaid seats i like it has a turbo, It's fast fun to drive looks great
accountCircle Chad P
Plaid seats and manual transmission for the win!
The gti is ideal combination of fun and practicality! It's good on gas, fun to drive, and can fit lots of things in the back with the seats folded down or room for other passengers. My favorite design detail are the Clark plaid seats that are not sold with any other car in this market.
accountCircle Paul J
Fast, easy to park and good looking.
No problems whatsoever. It us the perfect city car. It is peppy so you can merge on busy city streets and you can park anywhere.
accountCircle Shan D
VW gti reliable and so much fun.
Purchased new with 9 miles on it 3 years ago and it is an awesome car. I have packed on the miles and have not had to do any repairs yet. I run studded snow tires in the winter and have not had any issues. The low clearance has been a challenge a couple of times. I love my gti.
accountCircle Juan A
Great daily commuter car for those who want some style.
My VW GTI has been a great car so far. Sporty, sleek, handles well and fuel efficient. Inside the cabin, seating is spacious and comfortable, the sound systems is crisp, and the UI is intuitive. There are plenty of on screen features, designed consciously to not be overwhelming.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Ben B
Golf gti is the perfect starting car!
A 2016 Volkswagen gti is the perfect car to get. If you are looking for a car with a little pick up and go, this is perfect. The interior always makes you feel like you are sitting in luxury. Not to mention the price is really reasonable, and is one of the main reasons I bought it.

Volkswagen GTI Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
S
210 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
car
S w/Performance Pkg
220 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
car
SE
210 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
car
SE w/Performance Pkg
220 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
car
Autobahn
210 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
car
Autobahn w/Performance Pkg
220 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2016 Volkswagen GTI Owner Reviews

4.68
50 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 70%
4 stars 28%
3 stars 2%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Stephen W on May 28, 2021
Great car, but can get a little tight on space with small kids.
Great car that is really fun to drive! The quality of the interior is very nice for the price point and the seats are very comfortable. The only real downside to the car is the lack of “trunk” space. When you fold down the rear seats, there is plenty of storage space. However we have two small children and the child seats make it really inconvenient to fold the seats down. I really wish we had a performance oriented wagon (e.G. Golf r wagon) available in the us.
accountCircle Bob T on May 26, 2021
Gti 2016 has a turbo and that helps this small car.
The car needs maintenance often and is costly to operate. It is supposed to use regular gas but now they recommend premium which is more expensive. It is a turbo and has good power. It has a hatchback which I hate and I prefer a regular trunk. Not much room in the rear seats.
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Ranks #4 Small Cars by Owners

The 2016 Volkswagen GTI has an average owner rating of 4.68 out of 5 which ranks it #4 of 38 other Small Cars.

1
car
2016 Volkswagen Beetle
4.9
2
car
2016 Scion tC
4.71
3
car
2016 MINI Clubman
4.69
4
car
2016 Volkswagen GTI
4.68

Ranks #12 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2016 Volkswagen GTI has a combined MPG of 41 which ranks it #12 of 38 other Small Cars.

1
car
2016 FIAT 500e
121 MPG
2
car
2016 Volkswagen Jetta
48 MPG
12
Tie
car
2016 Volkswagen GTI
33 MPG

Is The 2016 Volkswagen GTI A Good Car?

Yes, my gti is a great car. From my experience any Volkswagen is a great option for a safe, reliable vehicle. I love my car and couldn't be any happier with it.
Colleen M.
Yes, it gets great gas mileage (average 31 mph), due to it is size it is easy to park and fit in any space.
Crystal G.
Yea I love my gti. Have not had any issues with it at all since purchasing. Would definitely purchase this model again.
Ashley M.
It is a great vehicle! I honestly have no complaints. I have had the car for three years now and it drives beautiful.
Dillon M.

How Reliable Is The 2016 Volkswagen GTI?

Very reliable, I haven't had any issues with my car since I purchased it. It is all about keeping up on the maintenance.
Colleen M.
I was slightly disappointed that I had to replace the battery after 2 1/2 years when I bought it brand new. Also the computer software was faulty and had to be replaced about 3 years in. Volkswagen... Read More
Crystal G.
I have not had any problems with my Volkswagen gti at all. It has been a very reliable and comfortable car.
Ashley M.
The only problem I had was a recall on the sunroof but both so I can fix that for me. Other than that I have no complaints.
Dillon M.

Is The 2016 Volkswagen GTI A Good Value?

Around $25,000.00 which is an excellent price for a sports/rally car and it was brand new when it was purchased with very low miles.
Colleen M.
Approximately $32k. It seemed like a fair price for the leather interior and nice 18 inch rims but the software died on me too soon. I do not have children or many people in the car so I know it... Read More
Crystal G.
I purchased my car used. It was under 20,000 and it has been amazing. Definitely worth what we paid for it.
Ashley M.
I got it used so I only paid 26,000 which for that price it was a steal at the time and I would say it was worth it but have full price it is a little expensive.
Dillon M.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2016 VW GTI oil type?

Answer: The recommended oil types on the 2016 Volkswagen GTI 2.0L are 5W-40 and 5W-30. It is advised to use synthetic oil but if You can't find any You can use any other oil that meets the same viscosity as the ones I...

Does the 2016 VW GTI have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: According to factory specifications, the 2016 VW GTI 2.0 liter engine comes fitted with a timing chain. The timing chain is regarded as part of a lifetime and should last for the life of the vehicle. However,...
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Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety