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Pros: Tidy handling, smart cabin, upmarket refinement.
Cons: Expensive, not the most raw or raucous hot hatch these days.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Design
One of Ireland’s best loved hot hatchbacks gets a few choice styling tweaks including a new headlamp design with matrix LEDs now as standard, an illuminated VW badge at the front for the very first time and a larger GTI badge below the wing mirror on each side. The GTI sits 15mm lower than the standard Golf so hugs the ground nicely with standard fit 18-inch alloy wheels. There is the option to upgrade to 19s like the new Queenstown set on our test car, inspired by the Mark 5 GTI. The rear diffuser and honeycomb pattern finish to the front bumper come in matt black to distinguish the GTI from the more hardcore Clubsport.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Interior
The GTI’s cabin mixes the classiness the Golf is known for with a few sporty touches like the GTI-branded steering wheel with red stitching, and sports seats with integrated headrests and classic GTI tartan upholstery. Volkswagen has addressed the criticisms of the Golf 8’s cabin in this facelift and the GTI benefits too. The imprecise haptic buttons on the former’s steering wheel have been replaced with proper ones like GTIs of old and the new 12.9-inch touchscreen runs Volkswagen’s much improved software. There’s still a heavy reliance on touch control but it’s responsive with nicer graphics and better menu structure. The sliders underneath for the temperature and volume control are also now illuminated at night.
The Golf GTI is reassuringly practical for petrolheads who might want to bring friends or family for a jaunt, with seating for five and a 380-litre boot with a handy false floor. For family buyers there’s Isofix on the two outer rear seats - and even on the front passenger seat.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance & Drive
The GTI’s 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine now produces 265hp, up from 245hp. It has the same amount of torque (370Nm) and 0-100km/h is a teeny bit quicker than before (5.9 seconds). It’s bye bye to the manual as all GTIs now come with the 7-speed DSG gearbox. But the paddles behind the steering wheel do let you get in on a bit of the action
The GTI corners tightly and precisely thanks to an electronic front differential lock that helps it put the power down like a true professional. The progressive steering is quick and direct, making it a joy to drive in fast cornering. In Sport mode the car feels stiffer and even more responsive, punctuated by more pops and bangs from the twin tailpipes. Though the GTI still feels well behaved compared to a Ford Focus ST or Honda Civic Type R.
Dynamic Chassis Control was added as an option to our test car and allows the driver to choose between 15 different damping setting from the soft to the very firm. One of the GTI’s truly top qualities is how comfortable and refined it can be in daily driving. Too refined for its own good? That boils down to personal preference but not being jostled around on a long journey has its merits. Average fuel consumption is around the 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres mark, but it will be more in spirited driving.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Pricing
The GTI has gone up in price over the last few years but at €59,470, it's still priced in the region of close rival the Ford Focus ST.
Carzone Verdict
Petrol-powered hot hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf GTI have become more niche with the rise in hybrid and electric cars but this icon still offers a tantalising blend of style, practicality and performance. It’s more expensive to buy than what it once was but if you’re lucky enough to be in the market for a new one, it’s still a hugely desirable car. The update is a successful one too and makes it an even better car than its forebear.