The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI seduced us with its exterior fashion and thrilled us with its efficiency, and all of it in a package deal that delivers clever built-in expertise. It simply occurs to be a tonne of enjoyable too.
However first, there’s a confession to be made. This author has by no means pushed a Golf GTI earlier than, and there was nice anticipation and pleasure to get behind the wheel. Because of this, and given the automotive’s unimaginable historical past, it had lots to dwell as much as.
Beginning with the outside, the GTI’s look jumped out at us instantly with its eye-catching German styling. There’s been a facelift to the entrance finish, with a brand new slimline grille, honeycomb air consumption and built-in LED lighting complementing the automotive’s traditional options.
The headlight and bonnet mixture attracts your eyes to the flared entrance finish, whereas the elective sunroof, particularly when it’s cracked open, provides to the sporty touches, together with the highly effective presence of the rear diffuser and chrome tailpipes.
The trendy design consists of the placing crimson radiator grille strip that has develop into synonymous with the enduring GTI variant too. The sporty and responsive experience and dealing with is participating but relaxed, due to low ranges of street noise and minimal vibrations.
Beneath the bonnet sits a punchy 4-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged fuel-injected engine. That powerplant produces 180kW and 370Nm of torque, and is paired with a 7-speed direct shift gearbox. In its commonplace kind, it rides on 18-inch alloys.
The Golf GTI presents good energy down low and picks up pace rapidly and controllably. It feels properly planted on the street too. Due to a mess of tech, there’s minimal wheelspin, even if you push it exhausting off the road.
On that word, the GTI’s IQ.DRIVE security system, consists of adaptive cruise management, rear site visitors alert, driver fatigue detection, and lane preserve help. Entrance help with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection can be included.
Inside, the cockpit of the Golf feels plush, and the premium supplies used all through add to the high-quality really feel. Palms down considered one of our favorite options although is the digital instrument cluster.
It includes a color show, and a number of customized views, together with speedo, tacho, navigation, driver information, and help methods. A ten.0-inch color touchscreen infotainment system supplies smartphone connectivity by way of Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The standard navigation options, and entry to a number of driver help system settings can be discovered there. The steering wheel has a 3 spoke leather-wrapped, flat-bottom design which is sweet within the fingers as properly.
On the draw back, it has tactile buttons that really feel cluttered and usually are not straightforward to make use of whereas driving. Within the plus column, there’s a cleverly designed wi-fi charging cell phone cubby too, and with the lid closed, there’s a spot to place the automotive key.
You’ll additionally discover a first rate sound system that completely rocks, with clear sound and deep bass, whereas the cabin is genuinely comfy and sensible all through. Within the case of our check car, it was additionally fitted with the elective Luxurious package deal.
This meant we additionally scored heated and ventilated entrance seats, with driver reminiscence and electrical lumbar help, and that panoramic glass sunroof we talked about earlier. It additionally provides Vienna leather-based seat upholstery with crimson ornamental stitching.
Medical and exact on the street, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI is available in Purl White, Atlantic Blue Metallic, Dolphin Gray Metallic, King Crimson Premium Metallic, and Deep Black Pearl Impact.
It’s priced from $60,180 drive away. Spec it up although, by including the Luxurious and Type & Sound packages (the latter provides 19-inch wheels, a head-up show and Harman/Kardon sound system amongst different gadgets), and it may price you $67,110 drive away.
It’s backed by a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee, 12-months roadside help membership and the choice to decide on your car’s scheduled servicing care plan, with three and 5 yr choices obtainable.
You’ll find out extra concerning the new Golf GTI and construct your individual on the Volkswagen Australia web site. We advocate buying round to get a great deal, or go to a web site like PriceMyCar for the most effective worth.
Our check car was equipped by Volkswagen Australia. To search out out extra concerning the 2022 Golf GTI, contact your native Volkswagen seller.