We have been itching to get behind the wheel of the 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk. 8 and would really love to try out the yet-to-be-released Mk. 8 Golf GTi, but we’ve been told we still have to wait a while. To make things good, however, and hold us over, Volkswagen decided to send out an MK. 7 2019 Golf GTi and, while it wasn’t exactly what we wanted, we have to admit that the week we spent with it was beyond memorable.

As you can see from the photo gallery organized into the slider above and the page below, the Golf GTi, even in its older design, is quite the looker. It’s attractive from all angles, and the interior really gives you the feeling that you’re sitting in a proper hot hatch. The flat-bottom steering wheel and eight-inch infotainment displayed helped in the regard, but the overall fitment of the seats and materials put together one hell of a package.

The 2.0-liter turbo-four under the hood isn’t the most powerful four-cylinder on the block – the title is reserved for the Mercedes-AMG A45S – but it’s powerful enough to keep just about any enthusiast happy at 228 ponies and 258 pound-feet of torque. Volkswagen claims that’s good for a 5.7-second sprint to 60 mph, but we actually got there around one-tenth faster. More impressive than that is the fact that this baby is as nimble as can be. The 35.8-foot turning circle means it can turn on a dime (this is much better than both the Focus ST and i30 N that it competes with) while the 5.1-inch ride height feels like the sweet spot in terms of dealing with typical road conditions.

All told, our week with the Golf GTi isn’t one that we’ll forget, and we can’t wait to try out the MK.8 to see just how Volkswagen will manage to improve. Until that happens, though, you can enjoy our massive photo gallery. We’re busy putting together an in-depth review on the 2019 golf GTi, so be sure to check back in with us soon to learn the finer details!

Exterior

Before anything else, let this be said. The current Volkswagen Golf GTI has an air of cockiness to it, though not in a bad way. The moment we saw it parked in the driveway, it felt like it owned the space surrounding it. You don’t always see a hatchback commanding that kind of presence about it, but the Golf GTI does it without doing anything at all. Given how competitive the performance hatchback segment has become in recent years, it’s not enough for Volkswagen to dump loads of power on the Golf GTI and call it a day. Performance hatchbacks aren’t all about performance these days; they have to look the part of one, too. Give credit to Volkswagen for recognizing the customer’s shift in priorities with a sporty-looking Golf GTI that underscores its tried and tested performance potential.

That said, there are enough updates to keep the car fresh and, more importantly, keep us interested in it. If this is Volkswagen’s way of trying to convince us to ditch our old Golf GTIs and sign on the dotted line to score the new model, then we suppose Volkswagen will find a fair share of customers who are willing to do that.

In any case, the point of subtle upgrades is that you’re not supposed to immediately notice all the changes one-by-one. You take a look at a car and you think it looks different without knowing what makes it look different. Only when you really give it a proper walkthrough do you realize the small changes that were made. It’s the whole is greater than the sum of its parts thinking that makes a car like the Golf GTI Mk7 appealing to the eyes. Check out the bumpers and the new front fenders. They’re new to the model, but you wouldn’t notice them off the bat. We didn’t until we realized that the Golf GTI Mk7 looked noticeably wider than its predecessor. The new air intakes in the lower bumper are more eye-catching (in part because they’re new), but the wheel designs are have also been given the proper updates to make the whole setup look fresher.

Over at the front, the red horizontal strip running across the nose immediately got our attention for the right reasons. We’re fans of this design detail, but we appreciate it more that it extends inside the headlamp casings. We never thought eyeliners would work on a car, but this red strip is effectively something that gives that effect, and it makes the Golf GTI Mk7’s face look more attractive. Who would’ve thought, right? The red strip is also exclusive to the GTI so that’s a touch of exclusivity in a place you didn’t think could provide that.

Speaking of the headlamps, the straked horizontal LEDs that run at the bottom are new and, might we add, welcome additions to the Golf GTI Mk7. It gives the performance hatch a new more aggressive face, not to mention provide all the benefits that come with VW’s new lighting technology. From a design perspective, it also complements the mesh grille and the claw-like bumper strakes, giving the Golf GTI Mk7 a distinctive appearance that’s almost impossible to brush aside.

The Golf GTI Mk7’s stance is another understated design detail of the performance hatchback. Whereas models like the Honda Civic Type R would like you to believe that it’s a Transformer, the Golf GTI Mk7 eschews all that with an understated stance that also oozes confidence. There’s subtlety to its overall look that doesn’t scream for attention but will no less capture some eyeballs. We’d take that kind of attention over getting stopped over at random times by people who want to take a photo of our hot hatch.

How Big is the Volkswagen Golf GTi?

It measures 168 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches high. Those numbers make it around three inches smaller than the i30 N and almost four inches smaller than the Focus ST. The new bumpers add to the width of the Golf GTi, and that’s enough to make it wider than the i30N, which measures 70.7 inches wide. The Focus St, on the other hand, is still the widest of the three with width measurements reaching 71.8 inches. The Golf GTI’s profile also contributes to it being taller than the i30 N by 0.7 inches. In fact, it’s almost as tall as the Focus S, which 57.9 inches tall on the measurements. Speaking of which, the Focus St also sits closer to the ground thanks to the 4.7 inches of space that separates the car from the asphalt. The Golf GTI isn’t far behind with 5.1 inches of ground clearance.

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI exterior dimensions

How Much Does the Volkswagen Golf GTi Weigh?

All these specs paint a compelling case for the VW performance hatch, but if there’s one specification where the Golf GTI beats its two rivals, it’s its curb weight. On that end, the Golf GTI is significantly lighter than the Focus ST and the i30 N. The Golf GTI weighs just 3,062 pounds, though that weight could go up as high as 3,128 pounds with a few additional equipment in place. Either way, it’s still lighter than the 3,223-pound Focus and the 3,307-pound i30 N. 

Interior

The plaid got to us. We know it’s a small and ultimately inconsequential design detail, but we’re suckers for retro vibes, especially if there’s provenance behind like Volkswagen’s use of tartan upholstery on the Golf. The decorative detail is so appealing it’s given us reason to pause on whether seat covers should go over those seats. Ultimately, we assume that not everyone’s in on the plaid revolution so we’re not going to begrudge anyone who opts for plush leather seat covers on those seats. Either way, it’s not going to matter as much from a comfort level. They’re comfortable, too, which is another bonus considering that we are talking about a hatchback whose base trim costs less than $30,000. We’ll take our small victories where we can get them.

Space inside the Golf GTI Mk7 shouldn’t be an issue for average-sized people, but it still must be said that the VW hatch isn’t as spacious as some of its rivals. It’s one of the few drawbacks of the Golf GTI, at least if you’re a stickler for such things. Front legroom, in particular, is alarming in light of the Golf’s 41.2 inches of space. That’s lower than the 43.1 inches of legroom provided by the Focus S and the 42.2 inches of legroom you get from the i30 N. Fortunately, Volkswagen makes up for the relative lack of space for the respective limbs of the driver and front passenger by giving plenty of it to the rear passengers. On that end, rear legroom is where the Golf GTI — 35.6 inches — reigns supreme compared to its American — 33.2 inches — and Korean — 34.8 inches — rivals.

Personally, we found that the figures didn’t matter as much given that none of us could be mistaken for NBA players. Materials are padded where our arms and elbows would usually rest on and Volkswagen didn’t skimp on the tiny details that add elements of comfort to the makeup of the interior. The A-pillars, for example, are wrapped in fabric. You don’t often see that in most compact cars. The armrests are height-adjustable and the one-touch windows all around are pleasant surprises, too. The Golf GTI also comes with reading lights and four cup holders. Yes, four cup holders. Both front seats also come with a slide-forward feature, ensuring easy access to the backseats. Just exercise a bit of patience if you opt for the two-door Golf GTI. Those crank-knob reclining adjusters can be a drag.

Outward visibility from inside the performance hatchback gets top marks from us as well. It’s not said enough that the trend of shrinking rear windows is stupid, but the Golf GTI doesn’t have that problem. The expansive rear glass is, for lack of a better word, suited to our standards of visibility.

Volkswagen Golf GTi Cargo Room

Open the rear hatch and you’ll be greeted by 22.8-cubic feet of cargo room. That’s a competitive number relative to its rivals, though the Focus ST does offer more space with 23.8 cubic feet of cargo room when the rear seats are up. The tables do turn in favor of the Golf GTI when those same rear seats are flattened. In that configuration, the VW hatch now has as much as 52.7 cubic feet of storage compared to only 43.9 cubic feet of space for the Focus S. Neither, though, can compete with the i30 N in this setup as the Hyundai offers a whopping 58.26 cubic feet of space when its rear seats are folded. That’s a long way from the pint-sized 21.25 cubic feet of space it affords when its rear seats are in their upright positions. 

Volkswagen Golf GTi Infotainment System

That said, the GTI’s infotainment technology is a bit of a mixed bag. Sure, VW’s MIB II multimedia system offers a robust set of useful features, but you are going to have to buy the GTI SE to gain access to a higher-resolution, eight-inch touchscreen. Opt for the lower-trim S and Rabbit versions and you’re stuck with a small 6.5-inch display that feels somewhat clunky and rudimentary compared to the more endowed eight-inch setup. The tech doesn’t react as quickly as you’d like to, as we came to find out in our tests. You would think that for all the attention Volkswagen paid into turning the Golf GTI Mk7 into a segment contender, it would have added a smoother and more nuanced tech setup than what the hatchback actually has.  If anything, the VW’s Digital Cockpit would’ve been nice to see on the Golf GTI Mk7. But you’re going to have to look elsewhere to gain access to that tech.

This isn’t a shot at what the Golf GTI does have. If you’re the patient sort, you can probably disregard the reaction lag because it isn’t that glaring. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, too. You can also come to appreciate the instrument cluster, which has a GTI-specific look to it. The few plastic bits can also be ignored since we are talking about a hatchback here.

As a whole, the causes for concern in the Golf GTI Mk7’s interior aren’t significant enough to outweigh the positive things about the space. It’s still one of the most comfortable interiors we’ve sat on among vehicles in its class, and there’s enough space inside to get you where you need to go without your legs aching from the ride.

Powertrain

If somebody asks you why you’re buying a 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 instead of the new-generation Golf Mk8, all you really need to do is pop open the hood and show him — or her — the Golf GTI’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s really that simple. It doesn’t produce as much power as the Ford Focus’ 252-horsepower turbo-four unit or the i30 N’s 246-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but where it loses out in the brochures, the Golf GTI more than makes up for in engagement and drivability.

The numbers are laid out as such. The Golf GTI’s turbo four-pot produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

All that power goes to the two front wheels, thanks largely to a choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen claims that it takes the Golf GTI around 5.7 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph before maxing out at a top speed of 155 mph. The figures bear fruit and when you compare them to those of the Focus ST and the i30 N, the Golf GTI more than holds its own against its rivals. In addition to a lot of other factors, perhaps the hatchback’s lighter weight has something to do with that.

Is the Volkswagen Golf GTi Fast?

Compared to its competition, to Golf GTi can hold its own. Volkswagen quotes a 0-60 mph sprint time of 5.7 seconds, which puts it dead even with the Ford Focus ST, and 0.4-seconds faster than the Hyundai i30 N. During our time with the GTi, we were able to clock a 60-mph sprint time of just over 5.6 seconds, so it might be just a hair faster than even the Focus ST on a good day.

How Fast Can the Volkswagen Golf GTi Go?

The Volkswagen Golf GTi is limited to a top speed of 155 mph. This is the same limited top speed as the Ford Focus ST, Hyundai i30 N, and just about any German car you might come across. It will take you a little while to get there, but it will get you to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, which isn’t bad for a car that has just 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque at its disposal.

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI specifications

Driving Impression

Speaking of weight, we couldn’t help but wonder if that also played a role in how the Golf GTI drives. We took it for a spin on Florida roads and even when we tried getting too loose with it, at no point did we feel like the hatchback was going out of control. It’s responsive to the way you drive and the acceleration is fast and natural. This was evident when we took it out on the open road as the turbo four-pot engine immediately comes to life the moment we put any kind of weight on the gas pedal. The model we drove came with the optional seven-speed automatic transmission, and we’re glad that it’s the version Volkswagen sent our way.

We’ve driven our fair share of hot hatches over the years and while some have been better than others, the 2019 Golf GTI Mk7 ranks right up there at the top of our list of driven hot hatches. It’s an insanely fun car to drive and you don’t even have to be a pro to get used to its responsiveness. We imagine the base version with the six-speed manual transmission will take some getting used to, but take it from us. You’re not going to go wrong if you opt for the optional seven-speed automatic transmission.

Overall, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI isn’t the most powerful car in its segment. It certainly isn’t the most aggressive looking. But its high points are legitimate high points. Nothing is forced when you’re driving it. From the cornering grip to the exit speeds to its all-around handling and responsiveness, the 2019 Golf GTI Mk 7 is a true driver’s car. 

Volkswagen Golf GTi Pricing

Depending on who you ask, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk 7 is either cheap or expensive. We know how that sounds, but there’s truth to that, too. The Golf GTI Mk 7 starts at $28,490, which is expensive relative to the kind of vehicle you can get with that kind of money. It’s also more expensive than the Ford Focus ST, which starts at a little over $25,000, and the Hyundai i30 N, which you can score for as little as $27,900. On the other hand, you also have to consider what the Golf GTI Mk7 has to offer, especially from a performance point of view. That makes it an affordable purchase when you compare it against sports coupes that offer similar performance capabilities.

If you want to add LED headlights, a push-button start, and access to the Urano Grey and Cornflower Blue paint options, the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition can be purchased for around $29,800. You can choose to go that route or you can spend $32,700 for the Golf GTI SE and add a panoramic sunroof, later seats, and the aforementioned eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. You can also throw in the Experience package if you buy the Golf GTI SE. This gives you access to a Fender premium audio system and dynamic chassis control, giving you the freedom to further customize your ride experience. The cost of the package is just $860.

Then there’s the top-of-the-line Golf GTI Autobahn, which comes with everything we just mentioned and adds adaptive cruise control and dual-climate control to the mix. For all that, you’re in the hook for $36,900, which doesn’t sound like much except that for an extra $4,000, you can actually upgrade to a Volkswagen Golf R. 

How Does the Volkswagen Golf GTi Stack Up Against the Competition?

Hyundai i30 N

The Hyundai i30 N is the newest hot hatch on the block, but as far as first impressions go, the i30 N makes for a worthy purchase. It doesn’t have the same pedigree as the Volkswagen Golf GTI or even the Ford Focus ST, but that didn’t stop Hyundai — and former BMW M boss Albert Biermann — from cooking up a performance package that can take on the best the segment has to offer.

Under its hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 246 horsepower in i30 N form and 271 horsepower in i30 N Performance guise. Torque figures sit at 260 pound-feet, and with the help of a six-speed manual transmission, the i30 N can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in either 6.1 seconds or 6.4 seconds depending on the trim you get. Top speed is also electronically limited at 155 mph. 

To be clear, the i30 N isn’t the quickest car in its segment, but if you’re looking for a fun-to-drive hot hatch that has no pretensions about its identity, you can do worse than Hyundai’s first stab at a performance hatchback. 

Hyundai i30 N specifications

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai i30 N

Ford Focus ST

Let it be said that the Ford Focus ST is forbidden fruit in America these days. It’s no longer offered in our fair shores as part of Ford’s retreat from non-SUV models. It’s a pity because the Focus ST looks like a ball of fun to drive. 

The current Focus ST carries a detuned version of the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the gnarly Focus RS. It produces 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard on the ST, though a seven-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. With the manual gearbox in place, the Focus ST’s two front wheels receive power from the engine, enabling the hatch to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, right around the same time as the Golf GTI Mk7. Top speed is also electronically limited to 155 mph, though you all probably know that by now. 

It’s hard to say if the Focus ST is a better hot hatch to drive than the Golf GTI, but based on our friends from across the pond who have gotten a chance to go stir crazy on the Focus ST, Ford’s performance hatch is about as lively of a drive as you’d expect it to be. That’s especially true if you engage its Sport mode, which instantaneously delivers sharper throttle response and heavier steering, two elements that make for adventurous driving either on roads or on a race track.

Ford Focus ST specifications

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Focus ST

Final Thoughts

 

Without a hint of exaggeration, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 is one of the most enjoyable cars we’ve test-driven in a long time. It’s a lot more refined than we thought it’d be and it delivers on all the fronts required of a proper performance hatchback. The Golf GTI Mk 7 is attractive without trying too hard to be. It’s got a comfortable spacious interior, ample cargo space, and enough new tech offerings to capture our attention. Its engine is lively and engaging, even if it doesn’t produce the most power in its segment. Best of all, the Golf GTI Mk7 is a lot of fun to drive. It doesn’t matter where you take it; the performance hatch will give more than enough reasons to justify buying one. It’s a pity that this model will now be overshadowed by the arrival of the Golf Mk8, but in truth, it shouldn’t be. The Golf GTI has every reason to stand proud, chest out, and dripping with confidence. For as long as it lasts in the market, it’s one of the best performance hatches your $30,000 can buy.