Vehicle: 2010 VW Golf GTI 5-doors with Luxury Leather Pkg, Technology Pkg and 18″ alloy wheels
Price as tested: CDN$36605

Performance: “It it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has always been the clue for all the successful model. That’s exactly the dliemma faced by VW when it comes to redesign the benchmark of the hot hatch segment, Golf GTI. Have they successfully redone the Golf GTI? We will find out after this test drive.

While the latest generation of GTI receives a better and improved iteration of the 2.0T, the horsepower figure remains the same for North American market. 200 ponies and 207 lb/ft of torque. The overall refinement has improved significantly when latest EA311 replaces previous iteration’s EE888 2.0T. Both the engine revving quality, refinement and NVH have improved a whole lot especially when pushed the GTI in both low and high rpm. Gone is some of the rattling sound in the outgoing 2.0T, in with much more refined sounding quality engine. With 207 lb/ft of torque arrives at just 1700rpm, there is plenty of bottom end when driver has an urge to used it. As with the previous motor, this engine is completely lack of anything called turbo lag that is so commonly known in many small displacement turbocharged powered cars. The result is the turbo spools right away whenever driver steps on the responsive gas pedal. It also doesn’t lost anything when it comes to mid and upper range thanks to variable valve timing and direct fuel injection technologies. Instead of taking the highly praised DSG gearbox, we decided to take the smooth 6-soeed manual on our latest tester. This 6-speed has to be the best manual has ever made by VW today. The gearlever is precise with nice throw and a progressive clutch. That’s despite the clutch take-off still has VW’s typical high take-up point. In terms of clutch engagement point and release, Honda remains the gold standard in this segment.

Handling: The Mk5 GTI’s dynamic abilities already flawless to begin with, so how does VW able to improve such a great handling hot hatch? VW is able to stiffen up the already exceptional chassis while recalibrating the suspension geometry, the result is something that one has to experienced to feel the difference. As it stands, the steering is sharp and precise, without the usual twitches associate with a performance hatch. The most amazing fact is GTI rides like a luxury car, with the compliant suspension that is able to absorb all the bumps and roughness with ease. It also has a sense of suppleness that one expects from a German ride. When it comes the cornering prowess, there are almost no body rolls and understeer is almost non-existence when pushed. GTI has to be one of the most balanced front-drive hatchbacks I have ever driven. All have done while providing lots of enduring smiles to the driver. ESP remains an uninstrusive type, as it doesn’t step in unnecessarily until driver rears its ugly heads. What makes the GTI handles so balance and agile is the addition of XDS, sort of like an electronic LSD. This system is able to eliminate understeer and put the power to the offending wheel much sooner. While the standard GTI already handled like a dream, the addition of XDS truly makes an even more remarkable difference to the already great driving car. What it does is to use ESP to brake the offending wheel, when its going to get out of line from understeer or oversteer. It is a very nifty system indeed. XDS’s desired result is what makes GTI such a delicately balanced front-driver.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the Golf GTI is able to stop on a dime with ease. The stopping distance is short while pedal has awesome feedback to the driver. The brake pedal feels alive even after a couple of hard stops. Its completely fade-free while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily.

Interior: One of the reasons why GTI is so appealing is because of the availability of 5-door configuration. Not only does the backseat can sit 2 persons comfortably with plenty of head and legrooms, there are also plenty of cargo space when the rear seats fold down.

In the front, the leather sports seats provide wonderful support for both thigh, side and back when playing. Everything else is logical layout right from the touch screen stereo to the auto climate control. In terms of materials, its simply top-notch per VW’s usual high standards. The redesigned 3-spoke sports steering provides plenty of grip with multi-function for stereo and bluetooth connectivity. In short, the entire interior is very well layout indeed.

Conclusion: The new Golf GTI will continue to set the standard when it comes to hot hatches. As it combines amazing handling/ride balance, a superb 2.0T engine and a beautiful interior. It makes us wonder how astounishing the R20 would drive.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 VW Golf GTI
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5