Insurance Group: 34
MPG: 38.2
CO2: 173
0-62 Mph: 6.9 secs
BHP: 207 BHP
Range: 462 miles
PROS: The Golf GTI combines very strong performance and agile handling with impressive refinement and a supple ride quality. It is fun to drive, but also practical, with a classy interior.
CONS: It is an expensive car, and not as quick as some of its rivals. Volkswagen’s in-house rival, the Scirocco, is a more striking car and a cheaper alternative.
The Golf is fantastic behind the wheel. It’s 2.0 TSI engine will produce a sprightly 207 bhp. This means the car will do 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds and will continue to accelerate until 147 mph. Rivals such as the Type R have a higher top speed, but the Golf’s acceleration is truly impressive, as is the comfort and control.
The car grips the road effortlessly, with very little body lean in the corners. Its power steering and electronic stability controls mean the steering is light and responsive – creating a very enjoyable driving experience.
The Golf GTI comes with Adaptive Chassis Control, which has three settings – sport, comfort and normal – meaning you can change the settings to increase what is already a very supple ride.
The GTI is also surprisingly quiet when cruising at high motorway speeds, giving some executive cars a run for their money. Don’t be put off though, drop down a gear and crack open the throttle, and you will be duly rewarded with a glorious rasping roar from the exhaust.
The dashboard is well-equipped, well-built and very easy to navigate as well.
Although the Golf is not as good looking as Volkswagen’s Scirocco, it’s not a bad looking car and will certainly grow on you. The GTI version has more aggressive styling and 17-inch alloys add to the sporty feel of the car.
The car also has a flat-bottomed steering wheel and aluminium pedals, which look good.
There are plenty of toys in the Golf. It comes with climate control, electric mirrors, electric windows, leather seats and MP3/Bluetooth connectivity as standard. However the enticing optional extras can add up if you are not careful, on what is an already expensive bill. The optional extra include cruise control for £235, rear parking sensors for £440 and a satellite navigation system for £1770.
Another great feature about the Golf GTI, is that it retains the practicality of other models, despite being a sports version.
The interior is spacious and the Golf can comfortably seat four, even five, with a good amount of space in the back. The boot is a good size (350 litres and 1305 litres with the seats down) and shape, although the rear seats don’t fold completely flat.
The car is secure, with an engine immobiliser and alarm as standard. The warranty lasts 3 years, or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Golf also scored well in the Euro NCAP ratings, gaining five stars overall.
Make no mistake; the Golf GTI is an expensive car. It costs £27,185 before any optional extras, and insurance and road tax are not exactly cheap.
It falls into insurance group 34 and tax band H, which on the whole, isn’t bad at all for a performance model.
The engine will produce 38.2 mpg, which again, isn’t bad for a car with such good performance, but will put off those who do a lot of city driving on a daily basis. CO2 emissions are 173 g/km.
However, the Golf will hold its value very well and the reliability of Volkswagen’s fantastic engine means repairs will be few and far between.
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