Things We Like And Don’t About The Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a do-it-all car. At first glance, it's just another premium hatch, but take it for a spin and it reveals its true character. It's a hot hatch with numbers to back it up, a family-friendly daily driver that's actually pretty practical, and a daily driver that's never boring. Whether you're throwing it on twisties on a weekend adventure or crawling through weekday commutes, the GTI is content with either.

But is it the complete all-rounder? Not really. While it's certainly brilliant, but the GTI doesn't quite reach its price in certain departments. 

Let's have a closer look at what we love and what we'd have loved to have had a bit more of, in the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Design: Race Ready

What We Like

The GTI looks sharp and sporty right out of the box. The red stripe across the headlamps, the illuminated VW logo, and the gloss-black honeycomb grille with LED fog lamps all scream performance. Its 18-inch alloy wheels reveal large brake discs and red callipers, adds to the aggressive stance. 

At the rear, smoked-effect LED tail lamps with animated unlocking graphics give the GTI a distinct road presence. Colour choices like Moonstone Grey, Oryx White Pearl, and Kings Red also help it stand out.

What We Don’t Like

The low 136 mm ground clearance could be a concern on Indian roads filled with tall speed breakers and rough patches. It would at least require one to be careful.

Interiors: Driver Focused

What We Like

The cabin is built around the driver. The dashboard is subtly tilted towards the driver’s seat, the flat-bottom steering wheel is thick and tactile, and the tartan plaid fabric on the seats adds a dose of nostalgia. The front seats are well-bolstered buckets that hold you in place during spirited drives. 

Materials on the top half of the dashboard are soft-touch and premium, and the overall fit and finish is typically German.

What We Don’t Like

The lower half of the dashboard and door panels use hard plastics, which feel out of place in a car that costs over Rs 50 lakh. Touch-sensitive controls for climate and lighting look futuristic, but they are not as intuitive to use as physical knobs or buttons. Leather seats are not even offered as an option, which feels like a miss for a car in this segment.

Space And Practicality: Practical Power!

What We Like

Despite its sporty intent, the GTI remains a practical hatchback. There's ample space for front occupants, and the bucket seats are manually adjustable with a wide range of movement. In the rear, there’s surprisingly good knee and headroom, and even taller adults will fit comfortably. You also get rear AC vents, a centre armrest, and decent door pocket storage, making it a usable daily driver.

What We Don’t Like

The front seats may feel narrow for broader frames. Rear middle seat usability is compromised due to the high floor hump and seat contouring. Also, the boot space, though usable, can take up some cabin trolleys, is average and not particularly deep.

Features: Just The Basics

What We Like

The GTI comes loaded with a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's also ambient lighting with 30 colour options, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and wireless phone charging.

What We Don’t Like

Some features are conspicuously missing. There’s no front seat ventilation, no powered seat adjustment, and the 7-speaker audio system feels average in terms of clarity and punch. At this price point, these omissions stand out.

Safety: No Compromise

What We Like

Like a typical Volkswagen, safety is strong! The GTI gets 7 airbags, including a centre front airbag, ESC, TPMS, ISOFIX mounts, and a robust Level 2 ADAS suite. Features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking are all included. 

Front and rear parking sensors, along with a reversing camera, add to the convenience.

What We Don’t Like

A 360-degree camera would’ve made parking easier, especially given the GTI’s low stance. Also, ADAS systems calibrated for international roads may not always work optimally in India’s chaotic driving environment.

Performance: Hot Hatch!

What We Like

Under the hood is a 2-litre TSI engine producing 265 PS and 370 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox. It does 0-100 kmph in 5.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 250 kmph. 

The gearbox is quick, smooth, and responsive, especially in Sport mode. Exhaust pops and crackles, though subtle, add to the driving thrill. This is a proper enthusiast’s car.

What We Don’t Like

Drive it hard, and fuel efficiency drops significantly. Expect single-digit figures between 4-6 kmpl when pushing it. While that's expected for a performance car, it’s still a trade-off worth noting.

Comfort And Handling: For The Enthusiast

What We Like

The GTI’s chassis is sharp and communicative. It corners flat, feels stable at high speeds, and delivers precise steering feedback. Despite its sporty tuning, the suspension doesn’t crash into potholes. 

On smooth roads or twisties, it’s easily one of the best-handling cars you can buy at this price.

What We Don’t Like

The suspension does feel stiff over broken tarmac. Combined with the low ground clearance, it makes the GTI less forgiving on bad roads. 

Ride comfort isn’t plush and may not suit everyone, especially in city traffic or during long commutes.

ZigSays…

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a car for enthusiasts, people who want a rewarding drive every single time they get behind the wheel. It’s quick, sharp, and packed with personality. 

That said, it also asks you to make a few compromises in the name of performance and style. It’s not ideal for everyone, but for the right buyer, there’s nothing quite like it.

What do you think about the GTI? Let us know in the comments!