2011 Volkswagen GTI Review Editor's Review | Page 1

It's a GTI

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I Say

82%

By Mathieu St-Pierre
Thursday, January 13, 2011
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Summary Rating:

Complete Rating

Styling (85%)
Accessories (80%)
Space and Access (80%)
Comfort (87%)

Performance (80%)
Driving Dynamics (82%)
Safety (80%)
General Appreciation (90%)

Styling
Exterior (80%)
Interior (90%)
Exterior fit and finish (80%)
Interior Fit and Finish (90%)
Accessories
Convenience and equipment (80%)
Instrumentation and controls (80%)
General ergonomics (80%)
Heating / ventilation / air conditioning (80%)
Sound system (80%)
Space and Access
Front space and access (80%)
Rear space and access (80%)
Cargo space and access (80%)
Storage capacity (80%)
Access to mechanical components (80%)
Comfort
Seats (90%)
Driving position (90%)
Suspension and ride (90%)
Noise level (80%)

Performance
Acceleration (80%)
Engine output (80%)
Transmission (80%)
Fuel consumption (80%)
Driving Dynamics
Steering (90%)
Handling (90%)
Braking (70%)
Manoeuvrability (80%)
Safety
Traction and stability control (80%)
Mirrors (80%)
Visibility (80%)
General safety (80%)
General Appreciation
General Appreciation (90%)

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In life, there are numerous indisputable truths: we will pay taxes, the sun will rise, we will die, and a week at the wheel of a GTI will be memorable. Ask anyone that has ever driven one.

The GTI is one of the rare cars that has set the bar (35 years ago) and has remained the car to beat ever since in its specialized segment. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

At this point in time, I do not think it necessary to recall the GTI's achievements and coloured history. If these three letters mean something to you, then VW's job has been done. And they've done it over and over again, most recently for the 2010 model year. That was the last time Wolfsburg touched the fabled car, giving it a new face, body and interior. The only part that remained unchanged was and is the delightful powertrain.

The GTI is one of the rare cars that has set the bar (35 years ago) and has remained the car to beat ever since in its specialized segment.

I'm going to paraphrase a colleague of mine who probably wishes to remain nameless. He said that as an auto journalist or a car buff or a driving enthusiast, it is impossible not to appreciate Volkswagen's GTI.

Let's take a look into some of the GTI's competition.

The first car that comes to mind is the Mazdaspeed3. I am bonkers for this mega-powerful, handful, starching-mad hot hatch. It's got 263 hp, a limited-slip diff, big wheels, tires and brakes and goes like stink. There is, however, a price to pay. Yes, it'll quite nearly crush the GTI in a straight line but that's where the advantages cease.

The Speed3 has a base price that is $3,200 greater than the 5-door GTI ($29,875), has a rougher ride which could be worthwhile if you spend your weekends at a track (I would) and will only serve to punish its occupants in normal circumstances. Cabin space including trunk volume is superior to the GTI, but you will find that back-seat passengers will be more at ease in the GTI. Overall comfort is greater in the GTI.

Appearance comments will be left to the beholder. Generally speaking, the GTI is a far more user-friendly daily driver that can handle beyond most average driver's abilities.