Volkswagen Golf GTI 2019 Review
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The Volkswagen Golf GTI has undergone significant change, adopting a decidedly upmarket approach that omits its manual transmission and the availability of a three-door variant. With the current 169kW/350Nm model no longer available due to emissions regulations, the manufacturer鈥檚 Australian arm has made the former 'Performance Edition' standard Golf GTI fare for 2019 - at a price. The Australian-delivered GTI now boasts 180kW of power and 370Nm of torque (up from 169kW/350Nm) from a familiar 2.0-litre turbo-four. The changes don鈥檛 come cheap, but they do coincide with more standard equipment across the range. How much will it cost? 45,490 plus on-road costs. 8000 increase on the previous three-door, manual entry model. The interior also gets the Active Info Display digital instrument panel with unique GTI functions and outside there are power-folding mirrors. The MY19 Volkswagen Golf GTI will also offer two option packs. 2300 sound and style package offers 19-inch Brescia alloy wheels (pictured), a 9.2-inch satellite-navigation system, gesture control, voice control and Dynaudio 400W sound system. 3900 luxury package offers leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver鈥檚 seat with memory, exterior mirrors with memory function and a panoramic power glass sunroof.
500 option and Volkswagen is currently offering a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on models sold before the end of the year. 535 per 15,000km/12-month interval. Why should/shouldn鈥檛 I buy it? While the blueprint has narrowed incrementally for the updated VW Golf GTI, it remains an inherently fun and practical hot hatch. There is healthy and satisfying power on offer from the 2.0-litre turbo-four that materialises early in the rev range and continues through to its 6500rpm cut-out. The corresponding DSG gearbox is swift in its inputs, complementing the rorty turbo-four but lending it an at-times elastic feel. Despite that, power is driven cleanly through the front wheels during road driving. Only on a damp circuit are the limitations of the front-drive system easily exploited when pushed, amounting to occasional understeer and mild torque steer. However, the Golf鈥檚 swift electronic suite always intervenes to ensure it doesn鈥檛 feel out of its depth. All told, the performance additions coincide with a hastened 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds (down 0.2 seconds), and an improved fuel consumption rating of 6.5L/100km, a figure we managed to beat in real-world driving.
As ever, the GTI鈥檚 controls feel well-weighted and precise, allowing it to adeptly balance the duties of a daily driver together with the dynamic roundedness of a backroad blaster. The refinement of the driving experience is particularly redeeming, especially on long-range trips. When is it available in Australia? It arrives more than a year before the unveil of the all-new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf, the GTI version of which is also set to go without a manual transmission. Who will it appeal to? The price and new positioning of the Golf GTI may narrow its core demographic slightly. However, the practical layout of the cabin and user-friendly nature of the driving experience ensures it remains the consummate everyday sports car. The technology, feel and refinement of the cabin are particularly pleasing, especially with its digital instrument cluster and large colour screen. There is a real familiarity to the controls, while serene cabin acoustics, rear seat air vents and a 380-litre boot make the GTI suitable for weekends away.
