Has The VW GTI Finally Met Its Match As The Ultimate Hot Hatch?

For years, the Volkswagen GTI has not only been the benchmark hot hatch but also the most respected. It literally created the hot hatch segment when it debuted all those years ago. Since that time, competing automakers have tried their very best to produce something that could give the GTI a run for its money. Many have come very, very close but not one has quite hit its target – until now.

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MattDarringer - 12/20/2013 5:44:04 PM

0 Boost

The GTI is a good but not great car. The Fiesta ST, Focus ST, and Mini Cooper S do hot hatch as well. Quite simply VW has dropped the ball in keeping the GTI relevant and on-game. It needs better styling to differentiate it from the mouth-breathing Golfs. The Scirocco should have been the GTI and the Scirocco a real coupe and not a flabby interpretation of a Golf. Moreover the Subaru WRX and the Mitsu Evo have received lackluster and overpriced responses from VW. Also where is the Jetta R???

Ccoxx - 12/20/2013 7:21:52 PM

+2 Boost

The GTI is a great car - as the sales numbers and year after year praise from automotive publications clearly point out. Can't wait for the new gen!

MattDarringer - 12/21/2013 11:53:55 AM

+1 Boost

VW reports Golf and GTI sales together when tallying US sales. The Golf sells ONE-FIFTH to ONE-SIXTH the volume of its competition and GTI sales are roughly 1/2 of Golf sales. The Golf (GTI and Golf together) sells like a low volume niche vehicle, so take one half of virtually nothing and you have the sales failure the GTI is. A sales volume of 20-25K makes it a screaming failure. VW also needs to dramatically improve reliability and treatment of customers at the dealer. At a Mini dealer, customers are treated VERY WELL whereas at a VW dealer MANY customers report rude treatment. Ford dealers have good customer satisfaction as well.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/21/2013 5:12:25 PM

+1 Boost

Don't know where you live mate, but on this side of the pond the Golf is the De'facto "King Of Hatches"

MattDarringer - 12/21/2013 11:53:38 PM

+1 Boost

@I95SPEEDINGTICKETS The irony of "de facto" is that people use it to bolster their opinion. To Richard Hammond the Porsche 911 is the "de facto" sports car, but that does not make it. In Europe, I'm sure Renault and PSA would have a thing or two to say on "de facto" as would BMW via Mini. Here people cross shop more often based on price rather than type and for $25-33K (the range of GTI pricing on the lot) there are just too many better performing, better looking alternatives all of which have better reliability and much better customer satisfaction when getting cars serviced at the dealer. My wife suffered through two Jettas an 05 and a 11 and that ended her love affair with VW.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/22/2013 12:19:57 PM

+2 Boost

Thats because the Golfs sold in the USA are Manufactured in Mexico.

The Golfs sold in UK / Europe are Manufactured in Germany, i guess that makes a big difference to Fit & Finish and overall quality.

You have to remember that over here there are very few straight roads so the reputation the Golf has was earned, not just large HP, fast accel, but the ability to be the ONLY car in the family and still perform both duties.
Most of the other Hatches can do Hot very well but you'd look a right berk showing up to work in a Focus ST or Megane Cup if you work in an office.

A Golf GTI on the other hand is at home on Park Lane as it is on the B-Roads.

Like i said, "It Earned Its Reputation".