Back in January of 2015, Volkswagen and its compact Golf GTI were riding high. During the opening bell of the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Golf GTI earned the coveted 'North American Car of the Year' honor beating out two worthy finalists (2015 Ford Mustang and 2015 Hyundai Genesis).
Within automotive circles, the NAIAS award ranks at or near the top of the Prestige-O-Meter among the show's participating auto manufacturers. The jury pool includes 50-some-odd experienced and vetted writers from the electronic media, newspapers and blogosphere throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Golf GTI was recognized for its value-driven cost structure, wave of newly available driver assist features, a fuel-efficient yet punchy powertrain and nimble-handling. Generous head and cargo room also played a part.
Golf's front-wheel drive GTI is a sporty step up from VW's conventional Golf, competing with other tweaked compacts including Ford's Focus ST and the Honda Civic Si. Golf's compact underpinnings (the MQB platform) get shared with those of the solid Audi A3 (Audi is one of several up-market brands under the VW global umbrella).
The Golf family of U.S. vehicles for 2016 include the Patriarch (conventional) Golf, up-tempo GTI, 'performance halo' all-wheel-drive Golf R, versatile Golf Sport wagon and all-electric plug in five-door e-Golf (available in select coastal states). No longer in the family circle; the 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel Golf TDI.
Starting in the fall of 2015, Germany's largest automaker found itself contending with a self-inflicted, worldwide headache. At the center of the controversy, its high-mileage four-cylinder diesel engines (available in Golf, Jetta and Beetle) and slight-of-hand software programing monitoring particulate pollutants.
In short, higher levels of Nitrogen Oxide emissions were being released during daily commutes then permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Roughly 483,000 four-cylinder TDI diesel vehicles in the U.S. are affected including Golf diesels sold from 2010 to 2015. Volkswagen continues battling legal and public relations fall out from this episode.
Golf's GTI, not part of that probe, remains an intriguing ride. Expect minimal updates in 2016 since the 2015 underwent a seventh-generation award-winning redo. Rear camera feeds are now standard in all three GTI trims and a new infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.
In 2015, Golf's overall length increased by 2.1 inches while width gained 0.5 inches. Height shrunk by 1.1 inches creating a cat-pouncing silhouette. Front wheels sit 1.7 inches further forward while the hood incorporates a steeper slope.
While our Golf GTI hatchback tester adorned three doors, a family-friendly five-door hatchback is also offered. Three GTI trims include S, SE and top-shelf Autobahn trim (solely available as a five-door hatchback).
The outgoing four-cylinder engine from 2014 was replaced with a lighter weight, more efficient option. Now, a spunky, 2.0-liter single-scrolled turbocharged direct fuel injected four cylinder cranks out 210 horsepower but can now be tweaked further. Opt for the Performance Package and computer engine modification increases torque squeezing out an additional 10 horsepower.
Six-speed manuals generate 25 miles per gallon city and 34 mpg highway, an improvement of four miles city and three highway from 2014. With dual clutch automatic transmission, expect one mile per gallon less highway. Regular 87-octane fuel powers the turbocharged four cylinder and fills the relatively small 13.2-gallon tank.
Available as group options in Golf GTI SE and Autobahn trims is a $1,495 Driver Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control, lane departure, rear traffic alert and forward collision warning. Also offered in both trims; a $1,495 Performance Package which in addition to boosting horsepower by 10 adds larger front and rear brakes. A lighting package adds $995.
Our Golf GTI SE trim three-door tester with none of the aforementioned option packages and six-speed manual transmission started at $28,025, ending at $28,845 after $820 destination charge (add 1,100 for six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission). This includes a power sunroof, rain-sensing front wipers, push-button start, compact disc player, heated side view mirrors and heated front seats.
An entry S two door Golf GTI checks in at $24,995. The lowest-priced Golf, a Base (conventional) two-door with 1.8-liter, 170 horsepower four cylinder checks in at $18,495.
On the road, this GTI version remains planted. Brakes continue working in an outstanding fashion, stopping this vehicle on a dime, nickel or quarter. Don't expect a luxury glide while roaming highways as GTI's sportier suspension hugs the pavement.
The circular, V stacked atop W iconic logo anchors the narrow front honeycomb grille. The air dam below dominates front end real estate. Also centering the rear hatch (with standard wiper), the artful circle doubles as an opening latch. The overhang behind rear wheels remains minimal.
Never shying away from creative expression, the dimpled dome atop the manual shifter resembles that of a teed-up Spaulding golf ball. To the left, a push-button electric start button, a superior local than that of the dashboard, where the round steering wheel face may block direct access.
The flat-bottomed, three-spoke steering wheel includes manual tilt-and-telescoping movement. To the right, Golf includes one of the larger drop-down under dash storage bins one would find in a compact-sized vehicle tucked under the headlight dial. The usable glove box is one large, non-partitioned holding zone.
The instrument panel's two circular, analog gauges include a right-side speedometer with small fuel insert. In between, a digital message window tutorial with panels changeable via a 3 o'clock steering wheel button. Window options include an animated compass, lap time stopwatch, current audio preset and digital speedometer. Always present a digital time display and current transmission gear along the top row of the screen.
The center dash is anchored by a 6.5-inch touchscreen doubling as a backup camera feed. Below, three easy-to-grab dials monitor single-zone temperature, direction and fan speed. A cubby area below houses USB and AUX plug-in ports topped with a retractable cover, keeping potential prying eyes away. Two twelve-volt outlets are nearby; one aft of the transmission shifter and one inside the arm/rest storage bin between front seats.
Front bucket seats manually motivate forward and aft via an easy-to-grasp under-cushion inboard loop, an easier way to travel than the conventional lower bar. A pull tab atop the backrest tilts the vertical cushion forward and with a little oomph-type manual effort, the unit slides forward creating an aisle to rear seating.
Six-year-old Cara from Lombard aptly accomplished this maneuver all by her lonesome on way to her pink car seat. Row two, ideal for three preteens, holds two adults in relative comfort as long bodies are young-at-heart enough to contour in and out. Generous rear headroom accommodates six-foot four-inch adults and six-year old kids. Static back windows don't power down.
Cargo room increased almost 10 percent from 2014 with rear seatbacks folded for an impressive 52.7 inches worth of cubic foot cargo space.
At a Glance
Price as tested: $28,845
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 210
Wheelbase: 103.6 inches
Overall Length: 168.0 inches
Overall Width: 70.8 inches
Overall Height: 56.8 inches
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Assembly: Pueblo, Mexico
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