All Hail The Golf GTI: Still The King Of The Hot Hatch Hill After 40 Years?

How good is the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI? While testing Wolfsburg’s latest pocket rocket on California’s notorious, twisty Route 1, I was picking fights with Ferraris.

Parked at a scenic Pacific overlook somewhere north of the Golden Gate Bridge, I heard a symphony of 12 cylinders blow by, waking me from my ocean reverie. Now here’s a test, I thought. Moments — and a bent speed limit — later I had caught up with the blood-red 1968 Ferrari 330 GT in a traffic clot on Route 1’s two-lane artery. California drivers instinctively know what to do when their mirrors suddenly fill with the prancing horse logo: Get out of the way.

Traffic scattered to the shoulder, and we were off. The skilled Ferrari driver clearly knew the terrain and we danced from corner to corner — shredding short straightaways, straightening out ess turns, dive-bombing hairpins — the front wheel-drive GTI effortlessly keeping pace with the rear-wheel drive Italian legend. After a few miles of this, my dance partner signaled to pull over.

“I wanted to find out how a VW could keep up with a Ferrari,” he said, smiling broadly.

2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI
 

pcar4evr - 6/12/2014 10:50:36 AM

+1 Boost

The 12 cylinder Ferrari legend has a slight impediment - it has 47 year old technology. FYI - the 12 cylinder 330 and the turbo charged V4 2015 GTI have essentially the same 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

USNA1999 - 6/12/2014 12:08:48 PM

0 Boost

I want one!

vinsanity - 6/12/2014 1:06:37 PM

0 Boost

WRX STI is the undisputed King of the hot hatch, though they aren't making new ones for some strange reason.

MattDarringer - 6/12/2014 3:45:06 PM

-1 Boost

I agree. VW was the hot hatch leader but watched the WRX STI and the Evo take the performance crown. Where are the Golf and Jetta competitors? That said, the GTI is a far better car than a Mini Cooper S for the same price.

quizz - 6/13/2014 2:57:05 AM

+2 Boost

STI is AWD, so its competition should be the R not the GTI. Also, the interior of the 2015 GTI is WAY WAY BETTER. If you are only buying the car to rally and track, then the STI clearly serves its purpose, but for day to day fun commute (where you'll be lucky to push the STi to 60% of its limit), drivability and comfort? I'd take the GTI in a heartbeat. Test drove the new GTI last week (DSG version, sticks apparently are coming to this dealership later in the month) and it was a blast. Understeer was minimal, torque steer practically eliminated, and it is definitely a step up in quality (materials inside) from last year.

$30,000 with all the performance bells and whistles - I'd choose this over the competition.

MattDarringer - 6/13/2014 10:56:00 AM

0 Boost

@quizz buy an extended warranty...the DSG isn't exactly durable. The failure rate is significant and not covered once warranty is done. Trust me; we argue with VW who is perfectly happy to stick the customer with a $4K part on a car with 50-60-70K miles.

Chip - 6/13/2014 9:46:14 PM

+1 Boost

This car is the bargain of the century. Amazing handling and refinement for this class of vehicles. Finally found an excuse to leave BMW after 15 years with the brand. Was about to order the M235i or 435i but after driving an Autobahn GTI with 6 speed manual, I could not for any reason justify the extra 20k-30k for the Bimmers.

USNA1999 - 6/14/2014 7:38:09 PM

+1 Boost

Funny but I am doing the same thing, couldn't justify getting a 428i for an extra $17K. I am waiting until the 2 door comes out though.

CarCrazedinCali - 6/20/2014 9:27:27 PM

0 Boost

The GTI is certainly a nice hatch back. Nicely styled and nice to drive. Something about the MINI (cue the hate posts from MattDarringer) just felt better to me and I liked the fact is was more unique/stylish and customizable as well as the better warranty and free maintenance. I need to go drive the new GTI at my dealer group's VW store and compare to the new F56. Last time I compared, I chose the MINI Cooper S for it's better handling and tighter packaging among other reasons. The GTI is certainly stiff competition and respected.