HERNDON, VA (February 1, 2024) – Volkswagen of America, Inc. is proud to announce that Car and Driver magazine has named the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, Golf R, ID.4, Jetta GLI, Taos, and Tiguan to the magazine’s Editors’ Choice list for 2024.
“We’re honored to see so many of our models named to the Editors’ Choice list. These vehicles represent the best of what Volkswagen offers and what Americans love to drive. Their combination of smart packaging, safety features, and great driving dynamics, all at a great value, is something we’re proud of, and we’re happy to see them recognized.”
Petar Danilovic, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing & Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc.
The Car and Driver 2024 Editors’ Choice list consists of 138 vehicles—cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans—out of more than 500 models that Car and Driver editors tested, rated and ranked this year. Each year, Car and Driver conducts rigorous instrumented testing on hundreds of vehicles. Those results and the following criteria are used to choose the vehicles for the Editors’ Choice list: the rankings each vehicle earns within its market segment versus competitors, how well it fulfills its intended mission, and editors’ subjective evaluations of each vehicle’s performance. Only vehicles from the 2024 model year, and those that the Car and Driver staff has hands-on driving experience with, are eligible for Editors’ Choice.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Golf GTI has defined the term “hot hatch” since its debut in 1976 in Europe, and 1983 in the U.S. The eighth-generation icon embodies the very same formula—refinement, style, power, and playful performance.
For the 2024 model year, the Golf GTI is available in three main trims—S, SE, and Autobahn. Minor changes include power-folding exterior mirrors for all models and a new wheel design for SE models.
Model year 2024 features the Golf GTI 380, a special equipment set standard on every manual-transmission GTI. Available exclusively in the North American market, this special-edition build combination celebrates the heritage of the manual transmission in VW’s hot hatches during the final year of three-pedal production for Golf GTI. MSRP for the 2024 Golf GTI starts at $31,965 and destination is $1,225.
“The original hot hatch continues to thread the needle between fun, practicality and value with its trademark Teutonic elan.”
Car and Driver
Volkswagen Golf R
The Mk8 Golf R continues to evolve a legacy of understated performance first pioneered for the 2004 model year, with the introduction of the rally-inspired Golf R32. Two decades later, the fifth iteration of Volkswagen’s performance halo ups the ante with new race-inspired content and premium features.
The Golf R is available in one well-equipped trim for the 2024 model year. Minor changes include power-folding exterior mirrors and, as a mid-model-year update, a new 19-inch wheel design. Model year 2024 will be the final year of manual-transmission production for Golf R. MSRP for the 2024 Golf R starts at $45,665 and destination is $1,225.
“Mighty turbo-four power, highly entertaining to drive, hatchback practicality.”
Car and Driver
Volkswagen ID.4
The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV and the brand’s first global EV. Built on Volkswagen’s MEB electric vehicle architecture, it marries the strengths of a purpose-built EV with performance, packaging and value, features that have marked the brand for decades.
The 2024 ID.4 will be available in three trim levels—Standard/Pro, S and S Plus—with the option of 62 kWh or 82 kWh batteries, as well as rear-wheel- or all-wheel drive. The 2024 ID.4 electric compact SUV gets a major upgrade for its 82 kWh battery models. With a new performance drive unit, the rear-wheel-drive model now produces an impressive 280 horsepower, while the all-wheel-drive model now makes about 330 horsepower. This increase in power helps to boost acceleration and is delivers enhanced range.
MY24 Volkswagen ID.4 models (when released with SK On components) that are placed in service in 2024 will be eligible for the full $7,500 Federal Tax Credit on a purchase by a qualifying purchaser. Pricing has not yet been announced for the 2024 ID.4.
“Generous space and excellent comfort make the ID.4 easy to live with.”
CAR AND DRIVER
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The Jetta has defined affordable German engineering for more than four decades, spending more than three of them as Volkswagen’s best-selling model. The torchbearer was refreshed for 2022, with new technology and styling elevating both the value-oriented Jetta and the sporty Jetta GLI.
The 2024 GLI is offered in two trims— a limited edition, value-oriented 40th Anniversary Edition, and Autobahn. The Jetta GLI now offers standard IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance technology on all models with automatic transmission (the full feature set outside of Emergency Assist is also standard on all models with manual transmission). GLI Autobahn models add a heated steering wheel for model year 2024. MSRP for the 2024 Jetta starts at $21,435 and GLI starts at $28,085; destination is $1,225 for all Jetta family models.
“The 228-hp Jetta GLI is one of the last fun-to-drive sedans left in the U.S. for under $30k.”
Car and Driver
Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos brings bold exterior design, a practical but refined interior, advanced technology, and available 4Motion® all-wheel drive to the compact SUV space. Slotting below the Tiguan, Taos offers Volkswagen’s signature driving dynamics, high quality, and smart packaging in a smaller package with a lower starting price tag.
For the 2024 model year, the Taos is available in four trims—S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. All Taos models now offer standard IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology; in addition, all three trims offer augmented interior stitching. S trims add Light Assist, rain-sensing wiper function, and a heated leatherette trimmed steering wheel. SE models upgrade to dual-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control, and SE Black models will offer a black roof, wheels and additional blackout exterior design elements. MSRP for the 2024 Taos starts at $23,995 and destination is $1,425.
“Despite its small stature, the Taos impresses with enough interior space to underscore its practical mission.”
Car and Driver
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan combines Volkswagen’s hallmark fun-to-drive character with a spacious interior and flexible seating. The brand’s best-selling vehicle slots above Taos in the compact SUV space and offers refinement and an advanced feature set at a value price point.
The Tiguan is available in four trims for 2024—S, SE, SE R-Line Black and SEL R-Line. All Tiguan models now offer standard IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology. S trims add auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wiper function, and a leatherette trimmed steering wheel. A mid-model-year update will also include the MIB3 Composition Media infotainment system with wireless charging and wireless App-Connect. MSRP for the 2024 Tiguan starts at $28,880 and destination is $1,425.
“The Tiguan brings a decidedly European flavor to the crowded compact crossover segment with crisp handling and purposeful styling.”
Car and Driver
For more information on Car and Driver’s 2024 Editors’ Choice list visit CarandDriver.com.