DRIVEN + VIDEO: Can Volkswagen's All-New Golf GTI Hold Onto Its Benchmark, "Hot Hatch" Status?

Easily considered one of the best all around, fun cars on the planet is Volkswagen's Golf GTI. It has just enough horsepower, just enough utility with its rear hatch and its roomy for four adult-sized passengers.

And now VW has given it an all-new update. Following the lead of the MKVI, The MKVII is expected to bring the goods.

BUT, did it?

Only one way to find out is from one of our trusted sources: Autocar's Steven Sutcliffe gives it the proper test it needs.

That said, what do you think: does VW's Golf GTI set the benchmark as the BEST all arounder?

The long-awaited seventh installment of the Volkswagen Golf GTI has proved to be a revelation. Specify it with a performance pack and you'll get power boosted to 227bhp and an electronically controlled mechanical limited slip diff, all of which makes a very good car even better.

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mini22 - 4/25/2013 10:42:58 PM

+1 Boost

The styling is a little bit tighter and sharper but certainly not groundbreaking. It has a very high quality interior well above your average hot hatch.The engine sounds a bit better then it did. From Sutcliffs description the handling is much improved and more engaging. The fact that there is no torquesteer is quite amazing. That new differential is a great piece of technology. All these things make up a really nice car. One would have to think that this car is really a notch above a Focus ST including out performing it in acceleration and handlling at this point. You really have to conclude that this new GTI with the performance pack is really the new FWD Hot hatch benchmark at wich all others will be judged against.It appears to be that good.I'm looking forward to it appearing in the USA. When you think about it and add up all the positives if you are a high performance FWD fan this is the car you want to buy. If you compare it to RWD cars that becomes a different ball of wax, however. But it will probably stack up well against any AWD WRX. As for the Evo probably we will have to wait for the R AWD version.

CarCrazedinCali - 4/26/2013 6:44:19 PM

+1 Boost

Still slower than the MINI S though

mini22 - 4/27/2013 8:31:30 PM

+1 Boost

Remember-Got 0-60 is not the same as tested 0-60. Usually VW is conservative. The Mark 6 version was quated by VW at 6.8 seconds. However when road tested it was really around 6.3 seconds(similar to a CooperS Coupe).VW is quoting 1/2 a second quicker. So going by that it is concievable it will make 60 MPH into the high 5 second range(5.8/5.9). That is almost dead on for the R version and faster then any Cooper except perhaps the GP at $40 grand! Further it appears that it will out handle the current crop of Mini's and without torque Steer that Mini's are famous for. The engine sounds nice on the video as well. Not far off the sound of a Focus ST.

CarCrazedinCali - 4/28/2013 3:27:21 PM

+1 Boost

I hadn't heard that... The lack of torque steer in the GTI you talk about is also unfamiliar, I guess it's time to get behind the wheel of one again... It is admitedly a well balanced hatch... I hope the next MINI S blows it out of the water... The MINI GP blows any other hatch out of the water when it comes to handling though