Cars
VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Since the Golf-based Volkswagen GTI first came to market nearly 30 years ago, numerous rivals - both direct and indirect - have come and gone. There are new rivals on the way. Scion's FR-S is a rear-wheel drive boxer-engined coupe. The Hyundai Veloster is a front-drive lukewarm hatch which, with next year's turbocharger, should be quicker than the Volkswagen.
Will it matter? The Veloster is a hit, deservedly so, but for how long? And does anyone believe the Scion FR-S will still be alive and kickin' in 2035 when Volkswagen is celebrating the GTI's 60th birthday? Sure, it's possible. Technically. Theoretically. But the GTI has the lasting power of Elizabeth Windsor. And for good reason.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is both the sensible and emotional choice. It's a hatchback with 46 cubic feet of cargo capacity, seating for five, and 31 highway miles per gallon. That makes the GTI a smart choice. But it's wearing four of the world's best wheels, 18-inch Detroit alloys. There's a scenic torque plateau from 1800 to 5000 rpm. The steering is so pure; so familiar; so obedient, you'll constantly be left wondering why something as inherently automotive as steering can't always be this good. Volkswagen covers the seats in beautiful plaid cloth which will cause you to wonder why lumberjacks don't look this good.
Priced below the American market's average new car transaction price, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is perhaps the car most capable of satisfying the majority of new car buyers. Thankfully, it hasn't, so your new GTI purchase won't land you a car all the neighbours already own.
Engines: 200 horsepower; 207 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder
Base USD/CAD Price: $23,695 / $29,375
City Fuel Economy: 21-24 miles per gallon
It's Not Perfect: A basic GTI now weighs more than 3000 pounds. No wonder Volkswagen offers the more powerful Golf R, although that car weighs as much as 3325 pounds.
Sales Stats: The GTI must deal with numerous direct rivals Across The Pond. The RenaultSport Megane, Opel Astra OPC, GTI-based Seat Leon Cupra R and Skoda Octavia vRS all make life slightly more challenging for the GTI outside North America. Perhaps the forthcoming Ford Focus ST will do the same over here in the near future. Monthly and yearly sales figures for the Volkswagen Golf family can be viewed here. The GTI stars in two monthly sporty car sales charts, one for Canada and one for the United States.
- 2013's The Good 12 - Volkswagen Golf Gti - $20,000-$25,000
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI At first blush, the Volkswagen GTI has aged, a process made more evident now that it's been overshadowed by the much more powerful Ford Focus ST. Ah, but only like a fine wine. Power isn't everything, and the fact...
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Cars
2012's The Good 12 - Volkswagen GTI
VOLKSWAGEN GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is both the sensible and emotional choice. It's a hatchback with 46 cubic feet of cargo capacity, seating for five, and 31 highway miles per gallon. That makes the GTI a smart choice. But it's wearing four of the world's best wheels, 18-inch Detroit alloys. There's a scenic torque plateau from 1800 to 5000 rpm. The steering is so pure; so familiar; so obedient, you'll constantly be left wondering why something as inherently automotive as steering can't always be this good. Volkswagen covers the seats in beautiful plaid cloth which will cause you to wonder why lumberjacks don't look this good.
Priced below the American market's average new car transaction price, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is perhaps the car most capable of satisfying the majority of new car buyers. Thankfully, it hasn't, so your new GTI purchase won't land you a car all the neighbours already own.
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Engines: 200 horsepower; 207 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder
Base USD/CAD Price: $23,695 / $29,375
City Fuel Economy: 21-24 miles per gallon
It's Not Perfect: A basic GTI now weighs more than 3000 pounds. No wonder Volkswagen offers the more powerful Golf R, although that car weighs as much as 3325 pounds.
Sales Stats: The GTI must deal with numerous direct rivals Across The Pond. The RenaultSport Megane, Opel Astra OPC, GTI-based Seat Leon Cupra R and Skoda Octavia vRS all make life slightly more challenging for the GTI outside North America. Perhaps the forthcoming Ford Focus ST will do the same over here in the near future. Monthly and yearly sales figures for the Volkswagen Golf family can be viewed here. The GTI stars in two monthly sporty car sales charts, one for Canada and one for the United States.
The Good 12
BMW 3-Series - Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon - Chevrolet Suburban
Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4x4 - Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback - Jeep Wrangler
Kia Rio 5-Door - Land Rover LR4 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4x4 - Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback - Jeep Wrangler
Kia Rio 5-Door - Land Rover LR4 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Nissan Juke - Porsche Boxster Spyder - Volkswagen GTI
The Bad 8
The Bad 8
Acura RL - Chrysler 200 Convertible - Ford Explorer EcoBoost
Honda Crosstour - Lincoln MKS - Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Nissan Versa Sedan - Toyota Corolla CE
Honda Crosstour - Lincoln MKS - Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Nissan Versa Sedan - Toyota Corolla CE
The Good 12 Rules
- 2013's The Good 12 - Volkswagen Golf Gti - $20,000-$25,000
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI At first blush, the Volkswagen GTI has aged, a process made more evident now that it's been overshadowed by the much more powerful Ford Focus ST. Ah, but only like a fine wine. Power isn't everything, and the fact...
- 2012's The Good 12 - Nissan Juke
NISSAN JUKERemember when Elaine's roommate, George's girlfriend, got the nose job? Things didn't turn out so well. So before you ask Nissan to take the Juke to some Hollywood miracle surgeon, keep that memory in mind. Besides, aren't...
- 2012's The Good 12 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE There's no doubt the Range Rover Evoque has already won more prestigious awards. Top Gear named it the magazine's car of the year, for example. The Evoque is not a very powerful vehicle. It's not especially...
- 2012's The Good 12 - Land Rover Lr4
LAND ROVER LR4 The Land Rover LR4 is classic. A quick glance reveals the same boxy and evocative shape the LR3 and Discovery used before it. Its all-road abilities remain steadfast, key to the LR4s appeal. Interior appointments are better than ever....
- 2012's The Good 12 - Kia Rio 5-door
KIA RIO 5-DOOR Less than ten years ago, less than two generations ago, the thought of a Kia Rio entering The Good 12 would have been so unthinkable as to not even be laughable. The 2001-2005 Kia Rio's automatic shifter slammed into...