The Balanced Hot Hatch
Motor Trend|May 2018

As one of the original hot hatches, the Volkswagen Golf GTI combines practicality and excellent driving dynamics.

Stefan Ogbac
The Balanced Hot Hatch

For 2018, the entire Golf lineup gets a significant refresh, and the spunky GTI gets a much-needed infusion of tech. Sadly, we don’t get the power increase found in Euro-spec GTIs, nor does it get the Digital Cockpit option. Does that mean our GTI is less fun? Oh gosh, no.

The 2.0-liter turbo-four carries over with 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and comes paired to a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch auto. At the track, the manual-equipped GTI was the slower of our two testers, but both are six-second 0–60 cars. Save the manuals, indeed.

This story is from the May 2018 edition of Motor Trend.

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This story is from the May 2018 edition of Motor Trend.

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