2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf is a quick, responsive, and fun-to-drive hatchback that comes standard with plenty of safety features and a roomy and comfortable interior. It's the perfect car for drivers who want a sporty and practical vehicle that's also safe and reliable.
Pros:
- Quick, responsive, and fun to drive
- Plenty of standard safety features
- Roomy and comfortable interior
Cons:
- Some of the interior materials can feel a bit cheap
- The infotainment center can be a bit complicated to work (bring back the buttons)
The GTI: The Best Hatchback on the Market
The Volkswagen Golf GTI, and its sportier sibling, the Golf-R (reviewed separately), are as close to the perfect hatchback as humanly possible. Its rich 40-year history is full of smiles and shenanigans, only available when driving a hot hatch. While the Golf isn’t the fastest car available today, it might just be the most fun. The Golf is stylish, fuel-efficient, and has plenty of optional add-ons that make it a great choice for your daily driver.
There are plenty of trim levels, so there is a model to fit nearly every budget. The base model, the GTI-S, comes with a variety of standard features, including a 10.0-inch infotainment system, Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and Apple Carplay and Android Connect. In my opinion, the trim that offers the best value would be the SE, which adds Keyless access with push-button start/stop, a power-tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Under the Golf’s hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which produces 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, which means you’ll get off the starting line quicker than the Corolla next to you. The engine is paired with a seven-speed automatic or manual transmission.
One of the most important aspects of a good daily driver is its ride quality, and the Golf does not disappoint. It’s smooth on the road and responsive on the twisty bits, which will give you that much-needed serotonin missing in your life. Inside, it is spacious, offering plenty of legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers. And since it’s a hatchback, there is plenty of cargo space. You can easily fit several suitcases or even go on a Costco run and fill up with all of your bulk necessities.
As far as safety goes, the Golf has everything needed for peace of mind when driving down the highway at 70 mph. It comes standard with everything you’d expect, like anti-lock brakes, traction control, and side airbags. But more importantly, all trim levels come with VW’s IQ.Drive system, which adds additional features like adaptive cruise control (ACC), an active blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, front assist, emergency assist (automatic transmission only), and lane assist. The Golf has also received a superior rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Overall, the VW Golf is a great choice for everyday driving. It’s stylish, fuel-efficient, and, most importantly, it's fun and a bit childish. And what’s really impressive is that it won’t break the bank. If you are looking to have a midlife crisis, this is the car for you.
