2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI new car review

This has been one of Australia’s favourite performance cars for decades and the latest version is has made a huge leap forward.

Volkswagen’s Golf GTI has an unmatched heritage in the hot hatch market, but a new, more expensive version could test the loyalty of fans.

The Volkswagen Golf has been a favourite of enthusiasts for years.

VALUE

The new GTI’s recommended retail price is about $8000 more than the model it replaced. It now costs more than $61,000 on the road, which stretches the friendship for a hot hatch that has no more power than its predecessor and less than its main rivals. A $3950 “luxury” pack adds heating and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, as well as a large sunroof. The “sound and style” package seems better value at $2550, adding adaptive suspension, bigger wheels, Harman Kardon sound and a head-up display. Standard equipment includes a fully digital driver display that can be configured in a number of layouts, displaying speed, driving data and satellite navigation. The 10-inch centre screen has crisp graphics and can be wirelessly hooked up to your smartphone. Other tech goodies include an inductive wireless charging pad, two USB ports in the front and two in the back, ambient lighting and voice-activated commands for certain functions. The cloth seats have a modern interpretation of the GTI’s trademark tartan pattern but are manually adjusted. The GTI is covered by a five-year warranty and a five-year servicing plan costs $2800.

The new version is sweeter to drive than before.

COMFORT

Hot hatches have traditionally rattled the fillings, with stiff suspension designed for corner carving rather than commuting, but the GTI rewrites the rules, especially with the optional adaptive suspension that allows you to choose from no less than 15 settings. Ride comfort is also helped by the fact that Volkswagen resisted the temptation to fit wafer thin tyres on big alloys. The seats strike a great balance between hugging you through corners and providing the padding and support needed for longer stints behind the wheel. Rear passengers are looked after with decent legroom and their own air vents. The cabin is quiet at cruising speeds, without the tyre roar that blots the copybooks of some rivals.

VW has ramped up the tech inside, too.

SAFETY

The GTI ticks all the boxes on the safety front. Auto emergency braking is backed up by lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GTI will also monitor the driver for signs of fatigue and will brake if they attempt to cross in front of another car when it’s not safe to do so. Headlights dip automatically for oncoming cars and an alarm will sound if someone tries to exit the car when another is passing. The adaptive cruise control can brake and accelerate to follow at a safe distance from the car in front.

It’s not super fast, but is engaging to drive.

ON THE ROAD

The GTI has never been the sharpest tool in the hot hatch shed, but it has always provided the best balance between performance driving and day-to-day liveability. It’s a heavier car than its predecessor and its 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds is a second slower than the cheaper Hyundai i30N. But what it lacks in outright speed it makes up for in finesse. It’s a well-balanced car that will reward the enthusiast without scaring the novice. The torquey 2.0-litre turbo feels strong throughout the rev range, aided by slick shifts from the intuitive dual-clutch auto, which invariably picks the right gear for maximum thrust. It feels sharper and more eager to turn in than the previous model and precise steering adds to the driver’s enjoyment. The only disappointment is a lack of theatre from the exhaust, which seemed muted compared with the pronounced crackle and pop of the old model.

VERDICT

Four stars

An expensive but accomplished hot hatch that delivers refined performance and a classy cabin.

ALTERNATIVES

Hyundai i30 N Premium, from about $53,600 drive-away. Noticeably more power and grip through corners for less money. Cabin a little down-market.

Cupra Leon, from about $59,300 drive-away. This VW spin-off has essentially the same engine and underpinnings as the GTI with more adventurous styling.

Subaru WRX RS, from $59,975 drive-away. More power but less torque from bigger and thirstier 2.4-litre turbo. Offers a manual option for enthusiasts.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI

PRICE About $61,300 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICING Five years, unlimited km, $2800 over five years

ENGINE 2.0-litre turbo petrol, 180kW and 370Nm

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise, driver fatigue monitoring

THIRST 7.0L/100km

LUGGAGE 374 litres

Originally published as 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI new car review