Test drive: Award-winning VW GTI lives up to the hype

By Tom Jensen
Published

The number of awards that the all-new, seventh-generation Volkswagen GTI has won already is almost embarrassing:

If you've read this far, by now, you probably know that the new VW GTI is something pretty special. And I'm certainly not going to disabuse anyone of that notion. So let's get this much out of the way: The 2015 VW GTI has richly earned those honors. For the money, you'll be hard-pressed to find a car -€” any car -€” with this much to offer.

The GTI is an extremely efficient and compact front-wheel-drive model, available in either two or four doors. And almost every thing about it is better - in some cases, significantly better - with the 2015 model.

Or should I say models?

There are three GTIs now, the base GTI S, which starts at a bargain basement price of $24,395; the midrange GTI SE, at $27,395; and the top-of-the-line GTI Autobahn at $29,959. There are a variety of option packages, too, giving buyers a lot of choices for their money. Want a thrifty coupe with cloth seats, a stick-shift and a ton of driving fun? Go for the GTI S. Want something more versatile and family friendly? Get the GTI Autobahn four-door, which comes with a nav system, automatic transmission, power seats, sunroof and host of other features.

No matter which way you go, though, the GTI will be rock solid and a pleasure to drive. We tested a four-door GTI Autobahn model for a week and it really was awarding-winning good.

Several things jumped out right away. First off, despite its diminutive exterior dimensions, the GTI comfortably seats four adults, at least the four-door version does, and can take five for shorter trips. In fact, the interior is a very inviting and comfortable place. The front bucket seats are firm but not hard, which makes them perfect for spirited driving. The subtle red ambient lighting inside was a deft touch that added style.

Shoulder space and elbow room in both rows of seats are increased for 2015. Cargo capacity in the trunk is up percent to 16.5 cubic feet up to the parcel shelf and 22.8 cubic feet to the roof, which VW officials say is  more luggage room than even the largest mid-size sedan. With the rear seats folded, the Golf GTI now has 52.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, fully 15 percent larger than before.

Visibility at all four corners in outstanding, as are the interior ergonomics. The steering wheel and pedals are well positioned, the controls easy and intuitive to operate.

I've said this before and it's worth repeating: A lot of high-end cars are dreadfully complicated when it comes to operating the radio, HVAC and nav systems. It's almost as if designers need to justify high prices with elaborate and too-clever electronics. That is a total non-issue with the GTI, which is so simple to use even baby boomers won't have trouble with it.

But what really makes the GTI stand out from is just how much fun it is to drive. Like most everything else in the seventh-generation version of this car, the engine is a big step up. The all-new powerplant is called the EA888, and it is a 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection engine that makes 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, figures that are 10 horsepower and 51 pound-feet higher than in last year's model.

The optional Performance Package, which goes on sale later in the model year, will be 220 horsepower, and come with an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and larger brakes.

The GTI has always been fun to drive; with less weight to haul around and more oomph under the hood, it is now positively a delight. It reacts faster and loves to be driven aggressively, yet it delivers an acceptable ride during more moderate driving. The 25 horsepower torque increase really helps at low speeds and when you're accelerating out of corners.

According to Volkswagen, the new GTI is larger, lighter, faster and more fuel-efficient than the 2014 car and priced $700 less than the 2014 when adjusted for equal content. Add all those things together and it means the seventh-generation Volkswagen GTI is wholly better than the car it replaced, which was pretty darn good to begin with. Which is why it keeps winning all these awards. And why it deserves them, too.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn