2003 Volkswagen GTI Review

The 1983 Volkswagen GTI was the original "pocket rocket''--a fun-to-drive small car with fast acceleration and sharp handling.

The original GTI was an affordable high-performance version of the Volkswagen Rabbit, which soon became the more modern Golf model--also sold in GTI form.

As years passed, Japanese pocket rocket models became more popular than the Golf GTI. But Volkswagen is fighting back, with a Golf GTI offering more power, standard equipment and safety than earlier models.

After all, if a German automaker can't come up with a good pocket rocket, it may as well turn to making widgets.

The compact 2003 GTI remains a hot rod two-door version of the regular two- or four-door Golf, which has front-drive and a functional hatchback design.

The $19,065 GTI 1.8T is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and good torque. The $20,140 GTI VR6 has an extremely compact 2.6-liter V-6, which kicks out 200 horsepower and more torque.

Horsepower is up from 150 for last year's turbocharged four-cylinder and from 174 for V-6.

Both engines provide fast acceleration. The GTI turbo four-cylinder model does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds with a five-speed manual transmission and in 8.6 seconds with a five-speed automatic. The smoother GTI V-6 comes only with a six-speed manual gearbox and hits 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.

Estimated fuel economy of the 1.8T is 24 mpg in the city and 31 on highways with the manual transmission and 22 and 29 with the automatic. The figures are 21 and 29 with the V-6.

Both have typical pocket rocket features such as a sport suspension and wide wheels and tires. With more power, the VR6 gets wider standard 45-series tires on bigger 17-inch wheels, versus 55-series tires on 16 inch wheels for the 1.8T. However, the VR6 wheels and tires are optional for the GTI 1.8T to put more rubber on the road for better handling and braking.

Both versions are well equipped, with items including air conditioning, eight-speaker AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power windows and locks with remote keyless entry, power and heatable mirrors, cruise control, tilt-telescoping steering column, rear defroster and rear wiper with washer.

In other words, there's no need to put a few thousand dollars aside for desirable extras with a GTI.

However, all that equipment adds weight, causing the 1.8T to weigh 2,932 to 3,051 pounds and the VR6 to weigh 3,036 pounds. Performance would be livelier with less weight, but then the GTI would be less appealing to comfort-oriented American car buyers.

The few options include a Cold Weather package with such items as heatable front seats and Leather and Luxury packages with leather upholstery and power sunroof. A new Technology package for the VR6 has electronic climate control and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

New for the 2003 Golf are a sportier three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-covered hand brake and shift knob and improved windshield wipers.

Wary about driving a small car in a world seemingly dominated by big sport-utility vehicles? Well, the GTI is packed with safety items. It has front side air bags and was among the first compact cars with curtain side air bags for head protection of front and rear passengers in a severe side collision. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution provides quick, sure stops--with a nicely progressive brake pedal feel.

Standard for the VR6 and optional for the 1.8T is an Electronic Stabilization Program system. Such a stability control system is rare in the small car class and helps automatically stabilize the car during emergency maneuvers.

The responsive, nicely sized GTI is a ball to drive, but calls for a good amount of shifting with the manual gearbox--even if it has the V-6. The short-throw shifter is easy to use, but must work with a long-throw clutch. At least the clutch has a light action.

The power steering is nicely geared for the right amount of response, and the car has very stable handling. The ride is supple for an auto with a rather short 98.9-inch wheelbase.

Large doors with good-sized handles make it easy to enter the interior, which is generally quiet except for some road noise from the 17-inch wheels and wider tires. Front bucket seats provide good side support in curves and during quick maneuvers. And there's decent room for four 6-footers if a tall driver doesn't shove his seat back too far. However, entry to the rear-seat area is a squeeze.

The interior has high-grade materials, and the instrument panel has a typically German car no-nonsense design. But small radio controls reside above rather small climate controls. Dual cupholders pop out from the dashboard to conveniently handle beverages, but rear headrests partially block vision through the back window.

The trunk is large, and the hatch allows easy access to the cargo area. The entire rear seat folds forward to significantly increase cargo space.

Versatile and fun, the Golf GTI should be on everyone's pocket rocket shopping list.


VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Prices:
$19,065-$21,995

Likes:
Fun to drive. Fast. Sharp handling. Hatchback design. Safety features.

Dislikes:
Small radio controls. Long-throw clutch. Rear headrests partially block vision.