Volkswagen Golf GTI (09 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 29 September 2009
The Volkswagen Golf GTI launched the trend for hot hatches in the late 1970s and has grown from a cult car, to - in its current incarnation - perhaps the best all-round fast family hatchback. This sixth-generation Golf GTI is effectively a thorough re-working of the previous car, itself a superb performance hatch. Volkswagen, therefore, had a strong base upon which to develop this car. It comes with a new, more powerful 2.0-litre TFSI engine and sharp handling, but doesn't compromise on comfort. And while it provides most of the thrills that more powerful rivals can offer, it is utterly painless to use as everyday transport for a family.
4 out of 5

Safety

The GTI comes with front and side airbags, a driver's side knee airbag, and front and rear curtain airbags. Side airbags for rear passengers can be chosen as an option. Electronic stability control is also standard. Like its predecessor it was awarded a five-star rating by Euro NCAP for adult occupant safety along with four stars for child safety. It was also given five stars under the new Euro NCAP crash rating scheme. Introduced in 2009, the revised overall rating covers not only adult occupant safety but includes child and pedestrian safety along with a rear impact whiplash test.

NCAP Test

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  • Adult Occupant Rating

    5 out of 5
4 out of 5

Reliability

The Golf GTI has a good reputation for reliability with few problems reported.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

No problems reported.

Other

No problems reported.