When you hear the term hot hatch, the first vehicle you think about is the Volkswagen Golf GTI. No other car ever made has this distinction.

Unfortunately, we might not see this amazing machine much longer. The one glimmer of hope we have is that the Golf lineup entered its eighth generation for the 2022 model year, which gives us hope the Golf GTI will last at least a few more years. Hints of the disappearance have begun. We only have the GTI and Golf R models in the United States, but, honestly, these are the two we want to drive.

The GTI is The Perfect Balance

If you’re wondering why we aren’t touting the Golf R, we would, but that’s another story for another day. The GTI does an amazing job of giving you the perfect balance between a civilized daily driver, sportiness, practicality, and poise. When you want a car that puts a smile on your face, no matter how fast or slow you drive, this is the car for you. The GTI has the balance and capability to make you want to call in sick just to spend the day carving up the roads.

A Sporty Drive that Feels Comfortable; Imagine That

Many sports cars, especially hot hatches, are harsh on their drivers. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is not one of these cars. This impressive car takes on the road challenges while delivering a respectable level of comfort for you. The steering and suspension are properly sorted to be loads of fun on any road, and the clutch keeps things simple when you have the manual transmission. You can move from 30 to 65 mph in an instant, and never feel like you did much to get to that highway speed.

What Makes the Golf GTI an Excellent Car to Drive?

If you want an affordable car with thrilling driving dynamics, you can’t beat the GTI. This car is quick and decisive on any road. You’ll find a generous package of standard equipment that ensures you have everything you want and need when you take this car out for a spin. As you would expect, this car maintains the classy looks that have made it one of the most enticing and popular cars in the market for many years. If you want something fun that works great every day, you’ll have a hard time finding anything like the GTI.

The Expected Interior Style You Want

A car that’s been around for seven previous generations has some heritage features for us to admire. The Volkswagen Golf GTI continues forward with plaid patterns in the upholstery and the golf-ball style to the manual transmission’s shift knob. This car also brings a sensible level of ergonomics and soft-touch plastics to provide a cabin that’s enjoyable for your time behind the wheel. If you need some cargo room, you’ve got 19.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 34.5 cubic feet when these seats are folded down. That’s a lot of space for a small hatchback.

Its Easy to Recognize this VW

Even though some new styling has been added to the Golf GTI, it’s easily recognizable as the car you love to drive. You’ll see a set of X-shaped fog lights at the front of every model. If you move to the SE trim, you’ve got an illuminated grille, a sunroof, and the option of gloss black finish for the 18-inch alloy wheels. These items only add to the impressive style that makes this hot hatch one of the most attractive small cars in the market.

What Features Does the Golf GTI Include?

S Trim (base model)

• Multi-colored ambient lighting
• LED exterior lights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Heated side mirrors with puddle lamps
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated washer nozzles
• 10.25-inch digital driver information display
• Heated front seats
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Stainless steel pedal caps
• Single-zone automatic climate controls
• 8.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Four USB ports
• Wireless device charging
• 7-speaker audio system
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alerts
• Front/rear parking sensors
• Automatic high beams
• Adaptive cruise control

SE Trim

• Adaptive front lighting
• Keyless entry
• Push-button starting
• Wireless smartphone integration
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Navigation system
• Satellite radio
• 9-speaker/480-watt Harman Kardon audio system
• 10-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings
• 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels

GTI Autobahn Trim

• 19-inch alloy wheels with grippy summer tires
• Adaptive suspension
• Tri-zone automatic climate controls
• Heated rear seats
• Head-up display
• Self-parking feature

Strangely, You Might Want an Automatic

Purists will hate us saying this, but the automatic transmission offered for the Volkswagen Golf GTI is extremely impressive. Sure, you can enjoy the engagement and fun of the six-speed manual, but the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is pretty cool. This transmission gives you paddle shifters and handles the shifting much faster than any human could. If you’re looking for the quicker version of the GTI, you’ve got to go with the automatic transmission. On the other hand, if you’re after the most engaging fun on public roads, you’ll love the manual transmission.

How Much Power Does the Golf GTI Offer?

The GTI model makes use of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that routes power to the front wheels through one of the transmissions mentioned above. You’ll have 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque during your drive. If you have the manual model, the fuel mileage rating is 24 city/34 hwy mpg, while the automatic gives you 25 city/34 hwy mpg.

It’s Time for Some Hot Hatch Fun

Some cars are too serious, some are too limited, and others just don’t have what you want. When you desire a good balance between fun driving dynamics and a practical cabin for everyday driving, the Volkswagen Golf GTI makes a lot of sense. If this sounds like the right car for you to drive, it’s time you went to your local VW dealer and took this little car out for a drive. There’s no telling how long it will remain in the market; go find your fun hot hatch today.