Zander Drives Cars

There are very few cars that I feel are essential to driving if you’re a car guy. One is the Miata and the other is the Golf GTI. Both of these cars are two of the easiest ways to get into the enthusiast car scene. So, imagine my excitement when I showed up at Volkswagen Parkville to review the Taos, and less than ten minutes later, was sat in the driver’s seat of the brand new GTI. So, is the GTI worth the hype? Let’s find out.

The Golf GTI went through a rebranding for its 8th generation, in the sense that it has dropped the name “Golf” from the model designation. This was most likely done as an attempt to separate the GTI from the actual Golf, which has begun to spin off into other models such as the T-Roc. Along with the name change, the GTI has also changed style-wise as well, with an all-new front and rear fascia and sleeker side profile. The GTI (And by the extent the Golf) has always been a conservative-looking car and for the 8th generation, it can be said that it has stayed true to form. The new GTI looks smart, clean, and modern like a newly built airport terminal. I like the new “angry headlights” and honeycomb grille with integrated foglights in the front. Again, it is a sophisticated-looking machine. The rear of the car features new tail lights with a simple “GTI” badge in red located under the VW logo -which also is used as the trunk handle- that classes up the car immensely.

The black wheels with red brake calipers make the car look more expensive than it is, with prices of the new GTI starting at just a smidge under $30,000 for the base S model. The model I tested was the mid-range SE model with the optional black package and the 7-speed DSG, which was priced at $35,430. For all three versions of the golf, the 6-speed manual is cheaper but as you will soon find out when we get to how the car drives, the extra money for the DSG is worth it.

Now, the large focal point of the new GTI is the interior, more specifically, the center screen. Melissa Cole from Volkswagen Parkville explained it perfectly to me when asked what her thoughts were on the negative press the infotainment system is, like all new pieces of technology, it takes time to get used to. “When you jumped from an iPhone 6 to an iPhone 8, you had the same reaction, but now you use it every day with no complaints.” From that perspective, I have to agree with her. Personally, I didn’t understand the major complaints about the infotainment system and integrated climate controls. They work fine. The temperature controls are in reach and responsive, and while yes, the volume slider can be a bit finicky, it’s no different from what is found on the new MBUX screens from Mercedes. Both the center screen and driver’s screen can be fully customizable to present you with exactly the information you want when you want it. In particular, the driver’s screen can be set to have the same map display that Audi has, which is something I have always loved. The screen can also be set to have a retro-looking goofball style gauge cluster as well, which I also love.

The rest of the interior is very VW. The materials are nice, they feel quality, and nothing on the car looks overly cheap. My only slight complaint is the lack of power seat controls for the front passenger seat, which is fine on a base model, but on the mid-trim model with many different features and options, it seemed like cost-cutting to me. Other than that, everything works well. There’s a wireless charger, two USB-C ports, and soft touch steering wheel controls. There is also a face sensing system that can tell if you pass out while driving. If you become unresponsive while driving, this system can put your hazard lights on, slow your car down to a stop, and even call emergency services. You can definitely tell that VW took their time with this car.

Another massive plus for me on the interior is the seats. Gone are the semi-sport seats in the previous generation Golf, and in our new full bucket seats with multi-color leather that keeps you in your seat, and comfortable as well, considering both front seats are heated AND cooled for optimum butt temperature. The only downside to these great big bucket seats is that passengers in the rear can feel a bit blocked off from the front of the car due to limited visibility. Speaking of the great seats, they are also multi-colored. You get your usual array of USB ports and climate control vents for your rear seat passengers, and the legroom with those large seats is surprisingly spacious. Breaking News: A 6’2 male can comfortably be in the back of the new GTI. Good job Volkswagen.

Driving impressions. This car is a revelation. I am going to be honest with you all; this was the first performance car that I have ever driven, and god what a high bar the GTI has set for me. The 2.0-liter turbo-four in the GTI pumps out 241hp and 273 pound-feet of torque that will rocket this hot hatch to 60 in “under 5.4 seconds” according to VW, which matches up to what other publications reported, and will go on to hit 155mph. I didn’t have a stopwatch with me, but my butt dyno told me that those numbers sound about right. What I did have with me, however, was the fantastic Melissa Cole, who was very eager for me to “gun it, gun it, GUN IT” on highway entrances to show me the acceleration of the car. She’s insane in the best way possible. Anybody who lets an 18-year-old drive like a hooligan in a brand new GTI gets an upvote from me.

One of the best parts about the GTI is that when you do get off the highway, you can happily take the offramp at near supersonic speeds. There is no body roll in this car. The torque vectoring in the front-wheel-drive system makes it very easy to stay in the mid-’50s when exiting a highway. The GTI rides un-surprisingly harshly. its not bad and I would say it’s justified due to its sporting credentials, but for everyday driving, I recommend buying the Autobahn and setting an “individual” drive setting with maximum comfort and sport everything else.

Finally, let me bring you back to earth. This gravity-shattering, tire-squealing rocketship is still a reliable, sensible hatchback. It gets 24mpg city, 34mpg highway, and a combined 28mph which knowing the Germans, is probably underrated. Oh, and get this: it takes 87. No premium required. This car is so good.

So, my final opinion of the GTI? Well, I’ll put it simply: if I had the money, I would have finished my drive and walked right back into that dealership to buy it. That is how good the new GTI is.