2010 Volkswagen GTI - Review

By Nelson Ireson

2010 Volkswagen GTI

This year Volkswagen decided to do away with the Rabbit name for the U.S., instead going back to the global Golf moniker, but despite the name-change, the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, based on the Golf, is still largely the same as it was last year. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

It’s been made a bit more attractive thanks to new sheetmetal tweaks that mark out the Mark VI model of the Golf, but it’s still the tossable, comfortable relatively efficient European hot-hatch that’s won so many fans over the years. For 2010, the GTI starts from $23,290, putting it shoulder-to-shoulder with competition like the MINI Cooper, Mazdaspeed3 and Honda Civic Si.

The 2010 GTI can still be had in either three-door or five-door hatchback layout, with the three-door being the decidedly sportier looking option. Neither is quite up to par with the Mazdaspeed3’s racy looks, nor is the GTI as cutesy as the MINI, making it a somewhat more mainstream choice in the segment--much like the Honda Civic Si.

Power from the 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower turbo four-cylinder is smooth and abundant considering its niche. It’s a marked departure from the rest of the Golf range, and it’s enough to make the car feel sporty if not truly fast. Thanks to the quick-spooling turbo, torque is abundant from down low, and power keeps on coming without the peaky delivery of some turbos.

Shifting is made lightning-quick and easy with the optional six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, though purists can still have the car with a six-speed manual. The manual isn’t as satisfying as it could be, however, with vague gear selection and a light clutch. With the dual-clutch’s superior efficiency, optional automatic-like convenience and quicker acceleration, it’s hard to make a case for the manual, even for the hardcore enthusiast.