2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI: End-to-End

Compromise as a strength?  The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI makes a compelling case for the celebration of seeking mass appeal over razor-sharp reflexes and neck-snapping power.  Completely redesigned for the current model year, and sitting on the same MQB platform that underpins the also-new Golf TSI/TDI hatchbacks as well as the excellent Audi A3/S3 sedans, the Golf GTI has settled into its seventh generation of tempting turbo enthusiasts with its combination of affordable fun and day-to-day practicality.

Volkswagen has produced a car that's comfortable both in its own skin and on the morning commute, a vehicle that stands in direct contrast to the hair-on-fire attitude of rivals like the Ford Focus ST and the Mazda Mazdaspeed3.  This isn't a knock against the Golf GTI - rather, it's an indication that hot hatch fans now have a distinct choice to make when voting with their pocketbooks.

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Spitting Image

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI doesn't look all that different from its predecessor, but a keen eye will notice the subtle changes that have been made to the car's lights and bumpers front and rear, as well as the new hatchback's cleaner profile and more attractive wheel design for both two and four-door models.  It's more of a good thing as far as VW fans are concerned, and for everyone else the Golf GTI wears a more mature façade when compared to several of its visually rambunctious compact competitors.  It's the kind of car you could conceivably park under the radar in the corporate lot and never be accused of suffering through a mid-life crisis.

Inside, the new VW Golf GTI maintains its trademark plaid cloth upholstery (although leather is available), which is draped across comfortable sport seats up front and a bench in the back.  Volkswagen has improved the car's optional navigation and infotainment interface with this latest refresh, which means no more 30 second load times after starting the car (and a better menu system to boot).  My tester came with the available Fender audio system, but I'm really not a fan of paying more for this brand synergy as I don't find it to be substantially better than the standard VW unit.

Real World Roustabout

Much of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI's appeal is its ability to stand in as a comfortable commuter when you aren't flogging it on two-lane back roads.  With room enough for four, my four-door Golf GTI tester's comfortable interior certainly helped to cement the car's dual personality, and the presence of a respectable amount of cargo space with the rear seatback either up or down was another plus in the GTI's favour.  The hatchback is larger this year than it was in 2015, although you really only notice the difference on the inside.

Then there's the car's suspension tuning.  Rather than adopt the same razor sharp chassis philosophy espoused by Ford's ST lineup, Volkswagen has worked to ensure that the Golf GTI feels just as poised rumbling over broken blacktop as it does seeking out an apex.  The trade-off for the hot hatch's improved compliance is less precision at the limit as compared to the Focus ST but there's no doubt that the VW is more liveable on a daily basis.  The biggest fault I could find with the Golf GTI's dynamic range was its electric power steering, which filtered out almost all road feedback even with the car's drive mode set to 'Sport.'

Where's The Beef?

The more time I spent with the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI, the more I came to enjoy its turbocharged four-cylinder drivetrain.  At the outset, it's not an impressive-on-paper tale of the tape: the 2.0-litre unit in the Golf GTI gains a modest 10 ponies for 2015, putting it at 210 horsepower total.  American buyers can order a Performance package with the car that adds an extra 10 horses, but there's no word as of yet regarding Canadian availability (as of publication you can't select that particular option on Volkswagen's Canadian website).  In an era where four-cylinder engines are nearing the 300 horsepower mark, the GTI is clearly off the pace, with Volkswagen forcing buyers to seek out the upcoming Golf R if they want Ford, Subaru, or Mazda levels of punch.

Saving the Golf GTI from accelerative irrelevance, however, is the presence of 258 lb-ft of torque, a whopping improvement over the outgoing model and the kind of twist that makes driving the hatchback a cinch even at low speeds.  When managed via the VW's standard six-speed manual gearbox (a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual is also available), the 2.0-litre motor come across as both stout and smooth, willing to rev up to redline without much protest and rewarding drivers of all skill levels with a generous power band.  It might not be the quickest car to 100 km/h in its class - figure a few ticks past six seconds to do the deed - but the Golf GTI is easier to drive than any of its rivals save perhaps the sedan-only Subaru WRX.  It's relatively frugal, too: cold temperatures and slippery roads saw me netting 11.0 l/100 km in combined city/highway driving.

A Winning Formula

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a car that makes a lot of sense.  This small hatchback easily works its way into almost any enthusiast's lifestyle by way of its practical cargo capacity, its comfy cabin and smooth suspension, and its torquey turbocharged engine.  It's a performance-oriented car that you don't have to make excuses to own - unless, of course, you plan on terrorizing local drag strips, in which case you'll want to avoid staging with other sport compacts.  If straight line bragging rights aren't your bag, then consider the Golf GTI as a broad-spectrum automotive antibiotic that will dispel your daily driving blues.