Picture Gallery: 2007 VW GTI 5-Door
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It is not often I get to jump out of one vehicle and into another that is nearly identically-priced and classed. Having just stepped out of the go-kart-like Mini Cooper S, I was not sure what to expect from the GTI. Would it be as fun and sporting? Would it live up to its history as one of the best hot hatches? Let’s find out.
The GTI starts at a reasonable $29,375 for the three-door model and $29,995 for the five-door model. For not much more than $30,000, you can head home in a very well-equipped German hot hatch.
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Painted in a very sharp Candy white exterior with an Interlagos interior (essentially a plaid pattern) my tester was a very sharp looking. To finish off the look, the 18-inch wheels were wrapped in 40 series rubber; this GTI really stood out.
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The new GTI comes standard with a clean shifting six-speed manual transmission with the option of six-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) automatic for an additional $1400. Powered by a 200hp 2.0L turbo-charged engine, the GTI has more than enough oomph to get you moving.
Starting on the inside, the GTI is typical Volkswagen. Soft touch materials on the dash and interior panels, bright blue interior lighting at night and generally easy-to-read gauges. The speedometer is slightly harder to read on the GTI; for some reason Volkswagen chose to provide a speedometer that reaches 300km/h: as a result, the needle barely moves from rest at city speeds.
The most notable feature on the interior of the GTI is the squared off steering wheel, which not only looks cool but also provides more leg room for larger drivers. The six-way adjustable driver’s and passenger’s seats, combined with the tilt and telescoping steering, allows for almost anyone to find a comfortable driving position.
The side bolsters on the front seats are extremely aggressive, which means great support for cornering. I do find the front of the driver’s seat to be a little too high for my liking, putting pressure on my thighs and causing strain.
Although the GTI gives you the sense you are in a vehicle built for the long haul, my tester had an unusual amount of rattles, which didn’t give me the best of feelings. Despite this the GTI still felt solid on the inside.
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On the road is really where the GTI shines, though, whether it is a twisty back road or out on the open highway. Even though my tester was equipped with 235/40/R18 tires on the optional 18-inch wheels, it soaked up the bumps and pot holes extremely well.
Get the GTI onto some twisty roads and it really begins to shine. The Pirelli P-Zero tires fitted to my tester generated some serious g-forces in the corners with quick turn-in response. On gravel roads the narrow tread pattern and firm sidewalls caused some moments that invoked ESP (Electronic Stability Program) to save the day. I can indeed confirm the ESP really works.
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The 2.0-litre turbo engine has very little turbo lag. Power really begins to build at around 2250rpm as you pull away from a light and keeps pulling till red line. Keep your foot in it and shift at or around 4000rpm and you will stay in the power band, making this a very easy car to drive around town.
I was a little underwhelmed with the power, though. I was expecting a little more oomph from the proverbial “hot hatch�? the GTI has been known to be. It’s fast enough to get you into trouble: turn of the ESP and watch out for the torque steer, as it is strong enough to rip the wheel from your hands. But it is not scary-fast by any means.
The six-speed manual transmission is slick as well, although first gear always seemed to be a mystery to me. Getting to reverse gear means pushing the shifter straight down, and then all the way to the left and forward, and first gear is – well, where first gear always is. It seemed to me every time I would shift out of reverse I would hit third gear unless I was extremely careful and double checked. First and third are very close together, which is great for quick shifting but not so great when backing out of the driveway.
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The huge bonus out of all of this though is the fuel consumption. I averaged 9.9L/100km in a mix of 50/50 city/highway driving over the week. Combined with a heavy foot and some aggressive driving that the GTI encouraged, I was completely surprised by this figure, even though the NRCAN rates the GTI at 10.0L/100Km city and 6.6L/100km highway.
The GTI was definitely a very fun car to drive: solid, quiet, smooth and quick describe it to a tee. The 5-door model is practical as well, making the GTI even more of a viable vehicle for many.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 VW GTI 5-Door
MSRP as tested: $33,010
For more information on VW and the GTI visit VW Canada
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July 24, 2007, 12:18:23 pm
having heard so many good review on GTI's handling and performance, i was really looking forward for a day-to-day review which may include more comfort (cup holder? perhaps it would be too busy to have coffee by then
July 24, 2007, 12:39:07 pm
I could offer my service to help you out next time when you have this "unpleasant" situation.
July 24, 2007, 12:48:27 pm The GTI is sweet IMO especially with the 18" wheels, although VW did very little to differentiate its rear from Rabbit. Did you have a chance to drive one with the DSG or any VW with DSG for that matter? I think the DSG would make it an even better commuter AND driver's car.
Too bad I’m in the market only for a 1:43 die cast model (red with the 18” wheels) for my dream garage.
July 24, 2007, 12:58:17 pm Do a search on the blogs for the GLI I had with DSG
July 24, 2007, 02:45:29 pm
I had replaced the US OEM springs with the VW German OEM springs and found that i never bottoms out or is unduly harsh. I am running 18" BBS wheels on it and despite living on cratered rural roads, no dings, no dents and I do feel that I have adequate ride quality (225/40-18 BTW, not 235 as noted in the article).
My only wish is that VW would offer a stripped down and lighter version with a LSD and more power from the factory.
Considering that your GTI is chipped and lowered, there is nothing our good friends at Quaife or Peloquin couldn't do to fix your no-LSD problem!
-Rick
July 24, 2007, 03:23:14 pm I suppose that bigger brakes and a LSD would round off the package, but it still is quite porky in term of weight. Mine has the us Package 2, which adds the leather sport seats, sunroof, etc...e.g. extra weight.
A stripped down cup racer would be nicer. I think that I will just wait for the impossible, an Audi S3!
July 24, 2007, 10:05:40 pm
Holding out on us!
July 25, 2007, 02:10:50 am Just curious, when you report actual fuel efficiency are you trusting the trip computer? Or do you measure litres at the pump, and do the math reading the odo? And do you trust its calibration - or do you do a road check between known markers?
I seem to recall Honda getting spanked recently for being nearly 10% off, consistently, in favour of finishing the warranty sooner - a plus for the Service department. And a plus for the Sales department if you are leasing. Which also has the neat side effect of reporting higher than actual efficiency on the on-board trip computer - a plus for Marketing department.
What's your practice?
July 25, 2007, 07:30:03 am re: scott
FYI, my speedometer is 8-9% off based upon mileage markers and my GPS unit. In speaking with folks on VWVortex, it appears to be a common issue with the 06 GTI's.
July 25, 2007, 09:31:13 am scott, I do both. I usually use the on-board computer if I'm in a rush but I always double check it with the pump. That said I have done ... 50 some reviews now and every single time I have used the computer it was dead accurate to the fuel fill up.
The odometer I did check with this car actually, over 11.5km it was off by 200 meters.
July 25, 2007, 11:20:15 am That odometer calibration issue is an important one. My Yaris is off by just under 1% - acceptable, but just barely.
July 25, 2007, 12:35:06 pm
Mine does not have any rattles or sqeeks. The sunroof fully vented made a weird noise over bumps but that has gone away and was the only noise issue to do. Otherwise, the front suspension makes a little more noise than I'm used to over speed bumps. And think the A/C makes funny sounds and if you have the vehicle idling stationary and have the A/C on for a long time (20+ mins) then turn the steering wheel as you pull away it makes a VERY strange groany noise for a few meters, but seems to operate fine.
Somehow I expected more power as well. Coming out of a TDI, I honestly don't notice a huge, huge difference in routine driving. Especially when you hammer at highway speeds without downshifting... you hear the exhaust but are motivated about the same as the TDI. Mind you, that's in everyday driving. I find the engine almost works in two modes... everyday which gives reasonable fuel economy, then you can dig deeper (I find myself every now and then pulling away, then digging a little deeper into the accelerator as the revs rise and she surely responds, but it doesn't come second nature to me to really rev it and put the pedal to the floor). I do find it responsive and very flexible, but not blow-you-away. Then again, I wanted a good balance, which it delivers.
I find the manual VERY intuitive. Reverse-first is perfecto for me. I never get the wrong gear, although sometimes forget which one I'm in (4th/5th/6th) on occassion not because of the shifter's location but because of the flexibility of the engine.
1st and 1-2 have taken awhile to master.
I do not find the seats all that comfortable. In my previous Golf (just the base GL cloth seats) I could drive all day - and did! I was super satisfied with them, and they kept their shape lookin' new throughout my ownership. I love the look of the Interlagos plaid cloth in the GTI, but they just don't support me as well... mostly my back. Now, I'm a bigger guy in all proportions which may have something to do with it, but the North American GTI/GLI Interlagos seats are out of a European Polo GTI which gives a little more room than restrictive Euro GTI Interlagos (the leather seats are identical)... it's not that I find them too tight or outright uncomfortable, it's more after awhile I find myself wanting to move around which I normally wouldn't. They're not as friendly on my back in some way I can't explain.
18" rubber from the factory are either Conti SportContact 2's (which I have) or Bridgestones I believe. Your P-Zero's are not OEM, tho must say I like the red 'P-ZERO' on the sidewall.
Overall I've been very, very happy with my car. Would have loved the 5dr, but because I'm tall I'd rather look left at glass than the B-pillar and opted for the 3dr. And I don't often transport others, tho would have liked the extra doors. Biggest negative is the ride quality - most others find it too soft or that it 'soaks up the bumps', but I find it too firm. The Jetta 2.0T with Sport Suspension gave the perfect compromise for me... I've looked at swapping, haven't decided yet on how long I'll keep the car to see if it's worth it. Pretty sure I'll be after a B-Class or Golf Plus type vehicle next time around.
July 25, 2007, 12:40:33 pm Wing, at 5'9" you should be Ok in any car seat. Jil reports her 5'4" being comfy in the Matrix, whikle my 6'1" Dad has issues with the seats in his Vibe. Different frames, different, er, vibes
July 25, 2007, 12:44:40 pm SirAquaman, the 2.0t Jetta is deleted from the line for 2008. The only way to get the 2.0t in the Jetta will be in the GLI from now on. So, if you want to swap...
July 25, 2007, 12:48:35 pm
Jetta bodystyle does not offer enough headroom for me. Even if it did, I'd want a hatch or wagon.
Thought 2.0T was only dropped for the US? Know it sold better up here, but still not well.
July 25, 2007, 12:58:35 pm
Jetta bodystyle does not offer enough headroom for me. Even if it did, I'd want a hatch or wagon.
Thought 2.0T was only dropped for the US? Know it sold better up here, but still not well.
It could differ in Canada, but for the US it's definite. Leather also deleted from the US option list for Jetta and New Beetle. Best news is that the 5 cyl. goes up to 170 hp (except in the Beetle where the new intake does't fit). The US market sees the Jetta as a compact, while Canucks have always considered the car as a "slight premium compact", so maybe we'll keep the higher content. We'll see !
July 25, 2007, 01:09:52 pm
I know, most cars are built for people my size so it is odd when I get issues in a car, for the most part I'm comfy in all.
July 25, 2007, 01:20:55 pm
I know, most cars are built for people my size so it is odd when I get issues in a car, for the most part I'm comfy in all.
I'm at an even 6'0", for the record
July 25, 2007, 10:47:51 pm
Canada is keeping the 2.0T for 2008.
July 26, 2007, 08:38:55 am
Canada is keeping the 2.0T for 2008.
Makes senses. VWoA is decontenting the Jetta in the US to align it with market expectations (and sell more expensive GLI's), while they don't need to do that up here.
I'm wondering how sales are going without diesels ?
July 26, 2007, 12:02:27 pm I'm 6'2", slightly bigger than average, but I found seats of Matrix, Golf, Mazda3 to be fine. (w/o sunroof)
July 30, 2007, 03:41:53 am Nice review. But one silly thing: you started off the article with how you had the rare circumstance where you get to move from one car into another one that is priced similiarly and is in the same market segment (i.e. the Mini Cooper S to the GTI).
... then for the rest of the review, I anxioulsy awaited *some* comparios to the Mini Cooper S, but... nothing! Woops. I'd love to hear about the comparison impressions between the two. They are the only two *GERMAN* hot hatches, afterall.
November 30, 2007, 05:04:49 am Whats the top speed of a golf 5 gti?
November 30, 2007, 10:52:02 am
Believe it's 207km/h in Canada. Unlimited more like 235km/h.
November 30, 2007, 10:56:16 am 150km/h then you get your car impounded