2019 Volkswagen GTI Review
The Volkswagen GTI combines performance, fuel economy, driving enjoyment and hatchback versatility in an understated exterior and nicely finished interior. The current sixth-generation version was introduced for 2010 amidst a raft of awards and lists: GTI won Automobile magazine's automobile of the year for 2010 and is the only car to have won that award twice. Nearly 40 years ago GTi helped spawn the hot-hatch segment of the market, economy car staples given the tuner treatment for driving fun (VW called it Fahrvergnugen) and extra performance without making it useless for daily tasks in the process. Now a GTI with a capital I, the GTI is based on the Volkwswagen Golf compact but gets different suspension, brakes, engine, transmission, seats and body trim. The 2011 Volkswagen GTI carries over largely unchanged but gets some significant technological upgrades: new audio, navigation, Bluetooth with audio streaming and phonebook download, a new smart key system, and 18-inch wheels as standard equipment.
Other changes are aimed primarily at packaging simplicity to keep costs down, and therein lie our two minor criticisms: If you want something in the Autobahn package, like the Dyanudio sound system, you have to get every other option. Also, rear-seat side airbags, which aren't appropriate for hauling kids around anyway, are no longer offered. One of a handful of performance hatchbacks to do so, the GTI offers a choice of two or four doors. The four-door (aka five-door) offers more convenience but the rear seat and space is the same in both. With folding rear seats and big hatch opening you can get a lot of odd-shaped items into this sub-14-foot car, and four adults fit quite comfortably. A turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque over a wider range than anything in its class. The only choice in mechanicals is a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Tight suspension, rubber-band tires, big wheels and stout brakes are built in. 24,290) versions with a 6-speed manual gearbox standard.
1,750) adds a power moonroof, multifunction steering wheel controls and an upgraded stereo with 6CD changer and SD card reader. 3,185) has all the aforementioned and adds five-inch touch-screen navigation system and adaptive bi-Xenon headlights. 5,315) includes everything above plus leather seats with V-Tex trim, 8-speaker 300-watt Dynaudio sound system, keyless entry and pushbutton start. Safety features include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control with traction control and antilock brakes. The GTI comes solely as a hatchback. It sits squat and square, like it wouldn't be easily taken out literally or figuratively, and has a purposeful look void of tacked-on parts or extraneous wallpaper. This sixth-generation version, introduced as a 2010 model is just seven inches longer than the original. A horizontal theme dominates the front with a wide, level honeycomb-grille aperture along the bottom, a narrower slot above with GTI-trademark red trim stripe, and slats leading to the only vertical element, the very effective fog lamps.
The slope of the hood helps both aerodynamics and close-in forward vision. Four-unit headlamps are standard in black housings, with bi-Xenon turn-following units available that resemble beady little eyes. Turn-signal repeaters in the mirrors help cross-traffic sort your intentions, while wraparound tail lamps do the same for following cars. The rear center stop lamp is mounted in the integral spoiler so it never bathes the rear window in a red glow. This is a clean shape with enough curve to keep it interesting and minimal creases to show it off. Ornamentation is minimal, with chrome badges and tailpipes lurking below and red brake calipers hiding behind 18-inch alloys and low-profile rubber. The two-door is slightly slicker looking with just two side windows, while the four-door has an extra window pillar in the rear door and the same forward-leaning rear pillar; four-doors look better in dark colors that better hide door openings.
