[Timgt5]

A Test Drive and Review of the 2015 VW GTI
The Return of the King

When people think of Volkswagen two models almost always spring to mind, one of course the Beetle, which in the minds of many older folks is almost synonymous with the brand itself. The other is the Golf, which worldwide is the definitive “go to” compact car and of course its performance variant, the GTI.

The formula is simple enough. In the late 1970’s some bored VW engineers thought it would be cool to take their little three door “econobox” the Golf, slap some stickier tires on its wheels, beef up the suspension, tune the engine for a bit more go and add some cool decals to boot, thus giving birth to what
became known as the “Hot Hatch”

For many the GTI remains the best of the breed, despite fierce competition from Ford, Renault, Opel, Subaru and a number of other automakers. So I drove the newest version to find out if remains the best of its kind and the answer to my mid life crisis.

Hits: Iconic lines stay intact, Strong turbo engine, great transmission, fluid suspension, stops with “authorataahh” , stability control smarter than “Sheldon Cooper”, outstanding fit and finish, incredible poise and refinement.

Misses: not a car for the very large or the very tall, pricey with desirable packages, it looks too much like the regular Golf, navi screen looks a bit dated, the synthesized exhaust note (sport mode) is a rather cheesy gimmick.
Overview

The current GTI is now in its seventh generation. The car, still based on the “econo-box” Golf is the second of VW’s cars to utilize the new corporate MQB platform (the first being the Audi A3) a universal platform set that will find its way under a number of other VWs and Audis in the near future. There are two body styles a three door hatch and a five door hatch.

There are three trims: S, SE and Autobahn. The S which starts at $24,900 comes with the standard plaid cloth seats (known as “clark”) six speed manual transmission (DSG Automatic is optional), power windows, doors, locks. Step up to the SE ($ 27,500) and you get leather seats, a panoramic moonroof, and a 400 watt fender audio system, the Autobahn ($30K) trim tosses in navigation and other “infotainment” features with a slightly bigger touch screen.

In addition to the trims there is a performance package (coming this winter) that ups the engine output by 10 horsepower and adds stickier tires and bigger brakes. I drove the SE trim with the DSG.

Inside and Out

From the outside the GTI retains the iconic shape that it has had for the last 30 years. This time around it is a little lower and wider than the previous generation. Despite the effort toward aerodynamics it remains a rather upright box. GTIs are distinguished from lesser Golfs by their deeper front chin spoiler, LED fog lights, 18 inch machine finished wheels and a subtle red stripe across the front fascia. Overall I think it is a handsome little car, but I also think VW should have done a little more to make this car stand out from its lesser brethren.

2015 Volkswagen GTI: First Drive Photo Gallery - Autoblog

Inside the car, the boxy shape pays dividends in interior space and cargo room. Most folks will be relatively comfortable in the front and rear but the heavily bolstered seats may feel a bit cramped for some wider folks and the rear seat room would be a bit tight for anyone north of six feet tall. Cargo area is 22 cubic feet with the seats upright and 53 cubic feet with both sides of the rear seats folded down roughly in line with most of its direct competitors. One really cool touch is the switch that opens the back hatch is hidden beneath the VW badge.

Once settled in, the driver is presented with a somber looking (all black) but first rate dash panel. The plastics throughout the cabin are all soft touch, the bottom of the inside of the doors is lined with felt and the leather is well grained, in fact all of it looks and feels very high quality. VW did such a good job here that this interior would actually embarrass some forty thousand dollar plus cars. Control layout for the most part is straightforward with large well marked switchgear all of which works with silken precision. All GTIs come with a 5.8 inch touch screen. While the screen itself is clear and easy to navigate, it looks a bit washed out and dated at times compared to newer, snazzier set ups from some competitors. Step up to the SE and VW adds a marvelous Fender (yes, the guitar and amp folks build car radios) sound system which totally rocks (the subwoofer is enormous). Taking in everything, the VW does miss the boat on a few tech features that other makers offer, but more than makes up for up by being one of the nicest places to be in for less than 30 grand.

Performance

Well of course if the GTI is going to get the designation “Hot Hatch” there should be something to back up that title. Under the bonnet is an updated 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 Cylinder gasoline engine. Power goes up from 200 (2014) to 210 (220 if you buy the performance pack) over last year’s model. The big news though is the massive increase in torque from 207 to 258 foot lbs. This translates into a more flexible power band and more push off the line. Putting that power to the ground is either a 6 speed manual gearbox or six speed “dual clutch” (DSG) automatic gearbox. The manual is of course more involving but the DSG will bang out faster launches (yes this car has launch control), both are very good, so pick your poison so to speak. Just be aware that in “sport” mode the auto transmission can be a bit jerky in stop and go traffic.

Off the line the GTI is pretty damn quick, 0-60 hits at around 5.7-to 5.9 seconds depending on which magazine you read, and for a little hatch that is a lot of poke. It is a few tenths slower than the more powerful Subaru WRX or Ford Focus ST, but unless you carry a chronometer in your car you would not really notice. Delivery is linear and strong throughout the rev band and passing power is rather effortless. The transmission is quick to kick down, especially in sport mode and the autobox is pretty smooth in all but stop in go traffic where a more delicate foot is required. I had no complaints whatsoever with regards to the performance aspect, it was plenty for me. Thanks to improved aerodynamics and decreased weight the GTI returns up to 33MPG hwy, not bad for such an eager car.

Ride and Handling.

Another area where the GTI’s weight loss pays off is in its handling. Thanks to quick steering the GTI is very agile. Transitions are smooth and despite the steering being electric it has really decent feel and feedback (love the flat bottom steering wheel btw). Cornering grip is also very tenacious as well and for those who really want to get harder core, “summer tires” are available. Where the car really shines is in its stability control which seems light years ahead of almost anything else. Combine that with car’s new trick limited slip and the GTI is virtually unflappable in every situation. I threw my example hard into a sharp bender, my line was a bit off, but I could feel the car underneath me sorting things out and I pulled through the other side perfectly. This is one car that can turn the average driver into a hero under the right circumstances, a trait oddly enough shared with Nissan’s AWD monster, the GTR.

One would think with all this talent around corners the GTI would come with a teeth rattling, spine breaking ride, this is not the case however. The GTI delivers a firm yet comfortable ride over most road surfaces. Bumps are deflected nicely and on the interstate the GTI exhibits outstanding interstate devouring stability. Wind noise is well suppressed and tire noise a distant thrum. The GTI is one of those rare sub-thirty grand vehicles that can really appeal to both the inner kid out for a blast and the responsible adult needing to get to work comfortably every day.

Safety

The GTI comes standard with the usual suite of Front, side and curtain airbags. A back up camera (now required by law for every 2015 model year car) is also standard. The brakes on this car are immensely strong and in instrumented tests pulled the little hatch from sixty down to zero in less than 110 feet, a remarkable performance for a sub thirty grand new car. I can attest to their linearity and predictable feel. There is an available lighting package that includes LED parking lights for extra lighting at night. The Autobahn trim comes with a suite of “collision avoidance” features (lane departure warning, smart cruise control etc.).

In the Marketplace

Of course if one wants a hopped “econobox” there are plenty to choose from. The Honda Civic SI comes in both a coupe and a sedan (the hatch version is Europe only) and features a high revving naturally aspirated 4 cylinder. Unfortunately the SI while easy to hustle is massively out gunned by its turbocharged competitors and the “boy racer” look has sort of worn thin, “Dominic Turetto” called and he wants his front wings back.

The Ford Focus ST and the Subaru WRX are more serious opponents. The Ford is hoot to drive and packs a lot of tech. The only transmission is a manual and the execution is not nearly refined, you get the feeling that if it could talk it would say “s’up braah” a lot. The WRX is Subaru’s fearsome rally beast for the road. Subaru sort of messed up though by not offering a hatch and most enthusiasts are going to turn their collective noses at a performance car offering a CVT transmission. Get past that and the WRX is indeed an effective machine, packing 268 horses and Subaru’s legendary All Wheel drive. On the other hand the ride is not particularly settled for more tender backsides and the interior looks and feels positively cheap next to the VW’s.

The Mini Cooper S is adorable and frisky, but a bit skittish at high speeds. Despite the size increase the Mini is well “mini” on the inside as well, frankly I would feel like a clown getting out of one every day.

The Mazda3 hatch can nearly match the VW on the curves, but it has a very cramped rear seat and its combination of its 2.5 naturally aspirated four cylinders and conventional automatic are no match for VWs turbo charged engine and high speed DSG gear box in a straight line. To its credit though, the 3 is a real looker.

In Summary

Give VW credit, with the 2015 GTI they not just connected, they knocked a grand slam right out of the park. Car magazine publications have all but fallen in love with VWs new hot hatch, one proclaiming the GTI to be the best car on the planet for the money this year. The GTI seems to be not just a jack of all trades, but a master of most as well, like the class valedictorian who happened to letter in three sports. Never has a car seemed so capable of satisfying so many goals simultaneously for its price point. Despite ever increasing competition in Europe and in North America, when it comes to Hot Hatches the GTI remains the one, the original and the “King of ‘Em all, y’all”

[kaliope]

hope you are enjoying your new car

Good writeup Tim. I was amazed when I read the other day about the thing you called synthesized exhaust note. I was watching a youtube review of the '15 Mustang EcoBoost. I was thinking that exhaust sounds great for a 4 cylinder but it puts out more than 300hp so I didn't question the sound I was hearing. Then I read about all the cars out now that use artificially enhanced exhaust sounds through the car stereo :O Still an impressive engine.
I've got the hots for an E36 or E46 M3. Maybe the best car ever Or is that the E39 M5? Speaking of which, you can get an M5 for not much more than a nice used E46 M3.

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by George H.

Good writeup Tim. I was amazed when I read the other day about the thing you called synthesized exhaust note. I was watching a youtube review of the '15 Mustang EcoBoost. I was thinking that exhaust sounds great for a 4 cylinder but it puts out more than 300hp so I didn't question the sound I was hearing. Then I read about all the cars out now that use artificially enhanced exhaust sounds through the car stereo :O Still an impressive engine.
I've got the hots for an E36 or E46 M3. Maybe the best car ever Or is that the E39 M5? Speaking of which, you can get an M5 for not much more than a nice used E46 M3.

The BMW M series is quite entertaining to drive, just be mindful of the maintenance costs especially when you buy an older model.

I also recently drove an Infiniti G37-this is the closest the Japanese have been able to come to the feel of a BMW albeit more raw in some cases, brilliant car none the less.

The late model V series Cadillacs are also a hoot to drive, massive corvette derived V8s and sport suspensions that are remarkably good. Worth a look if you are considering an M5.