We review the Volkswagen Golf GTI from price to economy and all its features
HALO cars are usually niche sellers but there is one massive exception to that rule – the phenomenon that is the Golf GTI.
VW have sold two million since 1975 and the car is one of the world’s few sales “bankers”.
The latest generation underlines why Volkswagen have been able to keep the GTI at the top.
Quite simply, it is better in every single way.
It starts with the styling, a subtle evolution of the GTI formula, with just enough extra edge to make it stand out from the standard model.
The trick is repeated inside, where the GTI gets its own trademark tartan sports seats, drilled aluminium pedals and new touches such as the red ambient lighting.
You also get the bullet-proof VW quality with the solid, premium feel of the plastics and all the trim, plus a long list of standard equipment, from touchscreen satnav to park assist and climate control.
But the GTI’s ace has always been its brilliant 2litre turbo engine which is now boosted to 220bhp, with 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, aligned to a sensational handling package.
The GTI feels glued to the Tarmac in a typically reassuring Golf way. The steering is pin-sharp and ultra-responsive. It may be a red hot hot-hatch but it has got a touch of class rivals cannot match.
That includes an ability to soak up the worst British roads can throw at it, but in a degree of comfort few hot hatches get close to.
And that is the GTI’s ace – it is a proven success over 30 years that buyers know will deliver top-drawer performance in every way.
