HIGHS
Eager engine, balanced chassis, four-door hatchback versatility.

LOWS
Annoyingly convoluted infotainment interface, interior feels less luxe than previous gen's, clutch pedal feel not as refined as engine and transmission.

VERDICT
The original hot hatch continues to thread the needle between fun, practicality and value with its trademark Teutonic elan.

Overview
Count the Volkswagen Golf GTI among a very small group of vehicles that have remained in near-constant production for over four decades without veering far from the laser-focused intent of the original. The 2022 redesign marks the GTI's eighth generation in the States, and although the styling is comparably svelte and contemporary, its “box with an edge” attitude remains in full effect. Motivation is provided by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 241-hp four-cylinder mated with either a six-speed manual transmission or, for those who’d rather not bother with a third pedal, a seven-speed automatic. GTI's come only with front-wheel drive. Drivers of all sizes will find plenty of room and a comfortable driving position, while the four-door hatchback shape allows rear passengers surprising head and shoulder room with some space for cargo behind them. Practical, yes, but it’s the baked-in sportiness that takes top billing here, the GTI serving up not-so-cheap-anymore thrills and satisfying handling at any speed. Though the GTI has a built-in fan base bordering on the obsessive, its welcoming demeanor and forgiving dynamics make it easy for new owners to slip behind the wheel and get in on the fun. The GTI and its amped-up bother, the Golf R, which we review separately, are the only way to buy a new Golf in the U.S., as the base Golf was discontinued here in 2021. The term hot hatch has been applied to numerous vehicles in the last forty years, but it was coined for the Golf GTI; that tells you everything you need to know.

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