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The Balanced Hot Hatch

Motor Trend

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May 2018

As one of the original hot hatches, the Volkswagen Golf GTI combines practicality and excellent driving dynamics.

- Stefan Ogbac

The Balanced Hot Hatch

For 2018, the entire Golf lineup gets a significant refresh, and the spunky GTI gets a much-needed infusion of tech. Sadly, we don’t get the power increase found in Euro-spec GTIs, nor does it get the Digital Cockpit option. Does that mean our GTI is less fun? Oh gosh, no.

The 2.0-liter turbo-four carries over with 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and comes paired to a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch auto. At the track, the manual-equipped GTI was the slower of our two testers, but both are six-second 0–60 cars. Save the manuals, indeed.

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