Volkswagen GLI MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volkswagen GLI has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2022 to 2027. Across those years its best rated version returned 30 mpg (2022) and its thirstiest returned 28 mpg (2024). The EPA record holds 11 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | #31 of 73 (58th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2023 | 2 | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | #25 of 72 (66th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2024 | 2 | 30 mpg | 28 mpg | #36 of 75 (53th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2025 | 2 | 30 mpg | 29 mpg | #52 of 85 (39th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2026 | 2 | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | #64 of 79 (19th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2027 | 1 | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | #18 of 23 (23th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volkswagen GLI placed highest in 2027 at #18 of 23, and lowest in 2026 at #64 of 79. It spent 3 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 11 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 35 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 307 | 6/10 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 35 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 307 | 6/10 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 36 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 306 | 6/10 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 25 | 35 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 311 | 6/10 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 36 | 30 | 383.3 | 9.9 | $2,100 | 301 | 6/10 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 24 | 35 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 319 | 6/10 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 36 | 30 | 383.3 | 9.9 | $2,100 | 297 | 6/10 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 26 | 37 | 30 | 383.3 | 9.9 | $2,100 | 299 | 6/10 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 36 | 30 | 383.3 | 9.9 | $2,100 | 297 | 6/10 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 26 | 36 | 30 | 383.3 | 9.9 | $2,100 | 297 | 6/10 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 26 | 37 | 30 | 383.3 | 9.9 | $2,100 | 299 | 6/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 → 2026 | 30 → 29 mpg | -1 mpg | 397 gal |
What GLI fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2027 Volkswagen GLI burns 397 to 397 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,190 | $1,190 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,388 | $1,388 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,586 | $1,586 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2027 model year is $2,150 to $2,150 a year in fuel, or $500 less than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 29 mpg the Volkswagen GLI is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $160 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Volkswagen nameplates
Every Volkswagen model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.