Volkswagen Golf GTI 2021 Review

Few vehicles match the pedigree, history and legacy of the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

You could say the GTI popularised the hot hatch, such is the indelible mark it has forged on the performance car scene since its introduction in 1976.

Today, the Golf GTI is still widely regarded as the all-rounder benchmark in the front-drive hot hatch set. Yet, against a backdrop of Volkswagen Group’s unprecedented investment in electrification, this eighth-generation model bears minimal underbody change for 2021, instead stepping forward with minor styling changes and an overhauled interior.

Is it enough for the Golf GTI to maintain its position in the tightly-fought hot hatch tussle?

Like the recently-released garden-variety Mark 8 Golf hatch range, the new 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is unapologetically more expensive than before, now starting from $53,100 plus on-road costs.

That makes it not only much more expensive than its most immediate predecessor (priced from $47,190), but over $11,000 more than the base Golf GTI price in 2018 ($41,990), the last time a manual transmission option was available.

As a comparison, your correspondent vividly remembers attending the launch of the bargain-basement three-door Golf GTI Original in February 2018. The price for that car was $38,490 drive-away…

In any case, Volkswagen justifies the price fillip by way of more standard equipment and safety technology. Officials are seemingly unperturbed the Golf GTI is now noticeably more expensive than traditional rivals like the Subaru WRX and Ford Focus ST ($44,890).

Cosmetically, the new Mk8 GTI changes are heralded by a new GTI-specific lower front bumper and apron encompassing a black honeycomb air intake, 10 LED fog lights (five each side) and front spoiler. In a cool touch, the red GTI grille strip has a parallel LED crossbar that links the LED performance headlights with the VW badge on the grille to form a distinctive light signature.

Larger 18-inch Richmond alloy wheels occupy each corner, wrapping red brake callipers, while at the rear resides new LED lights, a unique spoiler, diffuser and two bulbous exhaust outlets.

Inside, unique GTI features include a GTI-badged central tacho flanked by customisable round instruments showing boost pressure, power output and the like.

There’s also stainless-steel pedals, ambient lighting, black headlining, honeycomb highlights on the dash and doors, a red illuminated start/stop button, new flat-bottom steering wheel and new sports seats with tartan-style fabric trim, red stitching and integrated head restraints.

The long list of standard cabin technologies for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is headlined by the impressive Innovision Cockpit, which debuted in the latest Volkswagen Touareg and is also standard in the new Golf Life and Golf R-Line.

It combines the Digital Cockpit Pro virtual instrument cluster with a 10-inch Discover Pro touch-screen infotainment array. You’ll also note a decidedly minimalist dashboard, which we’ll get to in the sections below.

As for safety, the new GTI gets the full suite of VW’s IQ.DRIVE semi-autonomous systems, allowing the car to accelerate, brake and steer itself.

These include front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring (autonomous emergency braking), adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane assist and travel assist, plus oncoming vehicle braking when turning, side assist (blind spot monitoring), rear traffic alert, emergency assist, exit warning system and front/rear manoeuvre braking.

Other standard safety features include driver fatigue detection, a rear-view camera (RVC), park assist, tyre pressure loss indicator, eight airbags, multi-collision braking and front/rear parking sensors.

Just two options packs are available, taking the new GTI even further upmarket. The Sound & Vision package ($1500) adds a head-up display and 480W nine-speaker premium Harman Kardon sound system with 12-channel amplifier.

For $3800, the Luxury package adds Vienna leather-appointed upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, an electrically operated driver’s seat with memory, heated steering wheel and a panoramic electric sunroof.

There are six GTI colours available: Pure White (shown here), Moonstone Grey Premium, Dolphin Grey Metallic, Atlantic Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect and, for $300, Kings Red Premium Metallic.

The GTI is backed by Volkswagen Australia’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty. Buyers can also choose the option of a pre-purchased Care Plan, which limits the price of scheduled servicing over three years to $1450, and over five years to $2300 (saving the cost of the first service).

The GTI is fitted with a temporary space-saver spare tyre.

Like mainstream Golf 8 variants for Australia, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI utilises a carryover engine.

We readily acknowledge that there have been very few complaints about the fourth-generation EA888 180kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder since it was introduced for the MY19 GTI.

However, there is a telling theme at play here as Volkswagen sinks unprecedented money into electrification development rather than traditional internal combustion engines.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI in Australia comes standard with the latest DQ381 seven-speed wet dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission, now with shift-by-wire tech, a sports mode button and steering wheel shift paddles to replace the traditional gear shifter.

Drive is shuffled to the front wheels via an electronically controlled front axle differential lock.

There is a six-speed manual version of the GTI available overseas, but Volkswagen Australia is adamant that local demand simply doesn’t warrant its adoption and related ADR and compliance processes.

That said, the regular Golf 8 entry version has a manual (to give VW a sub-$30,000 headline price for the range), despite its take-up being a lowly five per cent…

In any case, the GTI’s official combined fuel consumption increases by half a litre per 100km to 7.0L/100km (using 95 RON premium unleaded) and the claimed 0-100km/h time is up by 0.1sec to 6.3 seconds.

Whereas European markets get an updated version of the same EA888 engine – complete with particulate filter – we miss out because of our inferior standard of fuel, says Volkswagen.

The GTI is suspended 15mm lower than regular Golf variants, employing MacPherson strut front suspension with lower A-arms and four-link coil-spring rear suspension – both with anti-roll bars.

Electronically controlled shock absorbers (known as Adaptive Chassis Control in VW speak) can firm or soften the ride depending on which driving mode you’re in. There are said to be minor tweaks to stiffness of the MQB Evo architecture’s subframe, too.

Similarly, it is now possible to tailor the GTI’s stability control suite to three different settings: ESP on, ESP Sport (where the ESP and traction control thresholds are increased) and a new ESP Off mode.

The interior of the new 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is arguably the biggest point of change.

The bristling new digital displays – one in the instrument cluster and one in the dashboard centre fascia – and new materials and touchpoints conspire to lend the venerable hot hatch a decidedly premium feel for its eighth generation.

The cabin is excellent in terms of its comfort, incidental storage space and passenger amenity, much of it carrying over from the predecessor donor car. The traditional tartan seats also mark this as a GTI at heart, although the dimpled golf ball stick shift has been consigned to history.

Wireless phone charging and four USB-C ports will no doubt appease tech-savvy passengers, while an open field of vision and low-slung front bucket is up to the standard of keen drivers.

It takes a bit of time to adjust to the touch-screen-centric internals of the new GTI. Sparing use of hard-wired buttons and switchgear means much more reliance on the central touch-screen and capacitive-touch steering wheel to perform basic climate control demands and the like.

Volkswagen says you can customise the centre screen to spare multi-step processes for simple commands such as recirculated air. We’ve scratched the surface and agree the layout does allow plenty of customisation, but it’s still not as simple as pressing a button.

Space is otherwise strong for front seat occupants. The second row will happily accommodate six-foot adults on moderate journeys as well as little ones, courtesy of rear air vents, two ISOFIX attachment points and a relatively open window line, although the bulky front bucket seats do eat into the forward outlook.

The GTI’s 374-litre boot is roomy enough for a large suitcase or a couple of overnight bags, a space that can be further augmented by the split-folding second row.

Civilised daily manners are again the dynamic hallmark of the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

What’s clear from our first drive is that it isn’t out to snatch the hot hatch dynamic benchmark title from the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R, but continues to retain its mantle at the pointy end of the hot hatch ‘daily’ set. In short, its liveability.

That much is reaffirmed by light steering and a compliant and controlled ride on the 18-inch wheels, plus adequate insulation from road noise and wind noise.

Similarly, the GTI feels as planted and stable as ever on rough B-roads and open highway alike, whereupon the 2.0-litre EA888 makes light work of overtaking and getting up to speed.

As ever, there’s a signature hesitation from the dual-clutch automatic upon initially taking off, however the engine’s ability to find peak torque from a lowly 1600rpm ensures smooth, predictable passage thereafter.

The engine-gearbox combination beyond this point is properly synchronised – well-timed, clinical upshifts and downshifts as required – allowing the 2.0-litre to make the most of its gutsy mid-range.

To this tester’s mind, where the GTI really thrives is along brisk back roads, where it’s easy to place and trail brake into corners, hunkers down through faster bends and feels stable under acceleration and heavy braking alike.

Similarly, on circuit, the GTI shows plenty of potential, with a tied-down body, positive weight transfers and stability under both acceleration and braking. But it doesn’t take long before you’ve reached the performance ceiling – and the limitations of a front-drive layout and Goodyear rubber.

For example, the GTI’s brakes are immune to fade during our quick handful of laps, but a long pedal action means they lack the bite and immediacy of rival vehicles.

Again, the engine pulls hard from down low, offering an almost elastic-like powerband through the middling revs and a top-end that keeps powering until the circa 6500rpm cut-out.

Tightening European sound emissions have sadly killed off the signature blat commensurate with GTIs of old, which takes away from the theatre and noise.

Frustratingly for circuit drivers, there is no option for a manual mode within the DSG gearbox either; the automatic will always overrule the paddle shifters if you creep too close to redline and won’t always respond to drive commands to downshift.

Of course, we know exactly what would remedy both situations, and add significantly more driver involvement at the same time. A manual gearbox.

Ultimately, the GTI’s electronic differential can dole out the power in most scenarios, however it is only good up to a point. Tip into the accelerator pedal too early and the GTI wants to pull wide on the exit and will occasionally flare at the front wheels as it attempts to put power down.

Turning off the electronic aids is a sure-fire way to liberating the Golf on circuit, taking away the tendency for ESP to nip at individual wheels when traction is breaking and allowing for a more organic driving experience.

At the same time, the last of the late brakers will no doubt induce understeer in circumstances when they’ve leant too hard on the GTI’s front grip purchase. Granted, this is hard to escape for a front-drive hatchback.

The take-away here is the GTI rewards patience on a closed circuit.

The new 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI revels in its latest sophisticated and well-equipped guise while sticking to its guns in terms of familiar performance and dynamics.

However, it does so at the risk of becoming out of reach of many buyers, courtesy of pricing that now starts beyond $53,000 and pushes up to $60K once option packs and on-road costs are added.

This is still the Golf GTI we know and love, no mistake. But it’s also one that is decidedly more upmarket than ever before.

Despite Volkswagen’s insistence that manuals are no longer viable in Australia, and no one is interested in a more affordable entry model, we’d argue that’s the foundation of the GTI legacy.

To not have either seems strange to say the least.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI cost?
Price: $53,100 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 200kW/370Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

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