Volkswagen Golf GTI 2012 Review

So you want a sportscar, but you need the practicality of a hatch. You crave go-fast handling, but don’t want an uncomfortable daily commuter. And you want to have the ability to put your foot down without breaking the bank when you’re cruising around.

Ticking all these boxes sounds like an impossible ask; but since 1976 that’s exactly what Volkswagen’s Golf GTI has provided. Through six generations (bar some minor hiccups), the default hot hatch choice has drawn a cult-like following all over the world, and in Australia, represents one in four of all Golf variants sold.

Recently updated, the MY12 Golf GTI scores Bluetooth telephony (previously a $215 option, approx.) and audio streaming and a Media Device Interface, as Volkswagen puts it, which essentially means you get a USB audio input cable. VW Australia calls this the Connectivity II Package (previously a $270 option). It works well enough, and is now standard across the GTI range. Add this to a decent audio system, cruise control and electric everything and you begin to see why the GTI is so popular, especially when you factor in the performance on tap.

Bristling with equipment and quick enough to give a lot of V8s a run for their money, the Golf GTI uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 155kW (5300-6200rpm) and 280Nm (1700-5200rpm) to deliver a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds. Power delivery is linear, for the most part, though we do feel the throttle pedal could be better calibrated for finer, low-speed input.

On the hop, it’s a different story, the car responds almost intuitively to a progressive right foot for maximum control over the front wheels.

It’s easy to drive, and incredibly easy to live with -- provided you take a slow course over speed humps and driveways. And on twisty roads where grip is everything, Golf GTI hangs on with impressive tenacity, losing its footing only when too much is asked from it, say, in the wet, or when pushed too hard into an off-camber corner.

But these minor transgressions are forgiven readily, and just as easily corrected. The stability control system is well calibrated, and never overbearing, while the antilock brakes allow plenty of pedal progression before reining you in to line. The ride/handling compromise is hands down the best in this class, providing exceptional handling with a ride quality that won’t see you queuing for the chiropractor.

In the model sampled, we found a short throw six-speed manual gearbox offering close ratios well-matched to the engine’s fat torque curve. You can afford to be quite lazy with your gear changes and drag the throttle in lieu of a downshift, a fact encouraged by the 'shift up' indicator on Golf’s multi-function display (nestled between the instrument cluster’s main dials). Gearshift feel is mechanical, but positive and is met by a firm but tactile clutch pedal that communicates the exact take-up point to the left foot.

If we did have one criticism in this area it would be that the floor-mounted throttle is at odds with the top-pivoting brake and clutch, which can make the pedal box feel counterintuitive when driving with vigour. It’s a small thing, but when you consider the compromises one already needs to make with steering and seat adjustment – which are not perfect – the driving position as a whole can feel like a bit of a compromise.

Load in the shopping, three of your mates (Golf’s packaging lends itself readily to four proper sized adults, five is a squeeze), head out for lunch and park in any spot that takes your fancy. The Golf fits easily into tight spaces and is adept in its manoeuvrability. We tried the self-parking system for the fun of it, but it seemed too protracted a process for the task required, gave up and did it the old-fashioned way [old dog, new tricks].

Volkswagen claims a combined average fuel consumption figure of 7.7L/100km, which is a bit of a furphy when you consider how most owners will drive their GTI. For our week, we kept just inside double-digits at 9.8L/100km, which isn’t bad when you consider a) I have a heavy foot and b) the engine was barely run in (just 500km when collected).

There's a reason the Golf GTI is so popular: bang for your buck.

It might not be the most potent in this category but it certainly delivers the greatest breadth of capability, versatility and practicality you could possibly want for.

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