Over the course of its quarter-century existence, the GTI has managed the impressive feat of being both a joy to drive and incredibly practical. For the practical, the GTI offers the roomy versatility of a Golf hatchback paired with a fuel-efficient engine -- an engine that also happens to be turbocharged, and able to deliver a sporty, dynamic ride that keeps fun-loving drivers coming back for more.
What's New for 2016
After a ground-up redesign for 2015, changes to the GTI in 2016 are minor. Updates include the addition of a rearview camera standard on all models and the new MIB II infotainment system. The Driver Assistant package has also been updated with a number of new technologies.
Choosing Your Volkswagen GTI
All GTIs come with the same engine, making that choice very easy. Where you get to start making decisions is in choosing manual vs. automatic, two-door vs. four-door, and whether you want to add the Performance Package or not.
The sole engine is a 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged affair that produces 210 horsepower. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, which delivers an estimated 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway. Optional is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that delivers the same mileage estimates.
Selecting the Performance Package bumps you to 220-horsepower while also adding larger front and rear brakes, and a limited-slip differential.
Upgrading to the Performance Package makes for a tighter, peppier driving experience, and at an additional $1,500 is well worth the cost of admission. In fact, all of the available optional packages are reasonably priced for the features they include.