Volkswagen Golf GTI

(Courtesy: AutoCar)

The Golf GTI, one of the many cars that just lets anyone be kid again. The Golf GTI is the sporty version of the normal Volkswagen Golf, for 2021, on the MK7 (mark 7) platform. The GTI like many of its competitors, is extremely practical, affordable and the best part; an amazing driving experience.

The FWD GTI has a 228HP 4-cylinder engine, making the 3,221 LB car delightfully quick on its nimble 18" x 7.5" wheels.

Like competitors, the GTI has an amazing 6-speed manual transmission, but is available with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The Volkswagen GTI lineup, there's also the sedan Jetta GTI, also packed with performance, but we'll save that conversation for another post.

For the GTI, there are three models that VW offers:
  • Golf GTI S - starting at $28,695
  • Golf GTI SE - starting at $32,665
  • Golf GTI Autobahn - starting at $36,945
When you look at VW's website, you come to notice that although the prices of the models of the car change, there's no power change. They all have the same engine, same horsepower, and the same transmission options. So what changes? To prevent you having to go to other websites, I'll answer them here:

(Note I: All of this information is taken from Volkswagen's website, and is about the manual versions of the car)
(Note II: Whatever is in red, is the difference between the models)
  • Features of the GTI S
    • Exterior
      • 18" 5-spoke two-tone machined alloy wheels
      • Automatic headlights
      • Foglights
      • Gloss black painted mirror caps and rear lip spoiler
      • Heated windshield washer nozzles
      • LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
      • LED taillights
      • Power-operated, heated side mirrors
      • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
    • Interior
      • 6-way partial power-adjustable front seats
      • 60/40-split folding rear seat with center armrest
      • Clark Plaid cloth seating surfaces
      • Front seats with adjustable lumbar support
      • Heated front seats
      • Illuminated front door sills and interior ambient lighting
      • Leather-wrapped gearshift knob
      • Leather-wrapped, multi-function sport steering wheel
    • Safety
      • Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, and Hydraulic Brake Assist
      • Crash-optimized front end
      • Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
      • Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, and Engine Brake Assist
      • Front safety belts, height-adjustable, with pretensioners and load limiters
      • Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)
      • LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points
      • Rear View Camera System
      • Side Curtain Protection® head airbags, front and rear
      • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
    • Performance
      • 2.0L TSI®, 16-valve, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with intercooler and FSI®
      • 6-speed manual transmission
      • Driving Mode Selection
      • Electromechanical progressive power steering system
      • Independent suspension with front MacPherson struts and rear fully independent 4-link suspension
      • Red brake calipers
      • VAQ limited-slip front differential lock
      • Vented front (13.4in) and rear (12.2in) brake rotors and front calipers with GTI logo
    • Technology
      • App-Connect
      • Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert
      • Bluetooth® technology with audio streaming for compatible devices
      • Composition Color touchscreen sound system with 6.5" color display, and AM/FM radio
      • Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
      • Pedestrian Monitoring (included in Front Assist)
      • Premium color Multifunction Display (MFD)
      • USB-C port
      • Volkswagen Car-Net®

  • Features of the GTI SE
    • Exterior
      • 18" split 5-spoke gloss black alloy wheels
      • Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)
      • Automatic headlights
      • Foglights with low-speed corner-illuminating feature
      • Gloss black painted mirror caps and rear lip spoiler
      • Heated windshield washer nozzles
      • LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
      • LED taillights
      • Power tilting/sliding panoramic sunroof
      • Power-operated, heated side mirrors
      • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
    • Interior
      • 6-way partial power-adjustable front seats
      • 60/40-split folding rear seat with center armrest
      • Front seats with adjustable lumbar support
      • Heated front seats
      • Illuminated front door sills and interior ambient lighting
      • Leather seating surfaces
      • Leather-wrapped gearshift knob
      • Leather-wrapped, multi-function sport steering wheel
    • Safety
      • Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, and Hydraulic Brake Assist
      • Crash-optimized front end
      • Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
      • Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, and Engine Brake Assist
      • Front safety belts, height-adjustable, with pretensioners and load limiters
      • Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)
      • LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points
      • Rear View Camera System
      • Side Curtain Protection® head airbags, front and rear
      • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
    • Performance
      • 2.0L TSI®, 16-valve, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with intercooler and FSI®
      • 6-speed manual transmission
      • Driving Mode Selection
      • Electromechanical progressive power steering system
      • Independent suspension with front MacPherson struts and rear fully independent 4-link suspension
      • Red brake calipers
      • VAQ limited-slip front differential lock
      • Vented front (13.4in) and rear (12.2in) brake rotors and front calipers with GTI logo
    • Technology
      • App-Connect with wireless capability
      • Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert
      • Bluetooth® technology with audio streaming for compatible devices
      • Discover Media touchscreen navigation system with 8" color display, proximity sensor, AM/FM/HD radio and voice control
      • Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
      • Keyless access with push-button start
      • Pedestrian Monitoring (included in Front Assist)
      • Premium color Multifunction Display (MFD)
      • SiriusXM® 360L with 3-month trial subscription
      • USB-C port
      • Volkswagen Car-Net®

  • Features of the GTI Autobahn
    • Exterior
      • 18" 10-spoke alloy wheels
      • Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)
      • Automatic headlights
      • Foglights with low-speed corner-illuminating feature]
      • Gloss black painted mirror caps and rear lip spoiler
      • Heated windshield washer nozzles
      • LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
      • LED taillights
      • Power tilting/sliding panoramic sunroof
      • Power-operated, heated side mirrors
      • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
      • Summer performance tires
    • Interior
      • 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat including adjustable lumbar support
      • 60/40-split folding rear seat with center armrest
      • Climatronic® dual-zone automatic climate control
      • Heated front seats
      • Illuminated front door sills and interior ambient lighting
      • Leather seating surfaces
      • Leather-wrapped gearshift knob
      • Leather-wrapped, multi-function sport steering wheel
    • Safety
      • Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, and Hydraulic Brake Assist
      • Crash-optimized front end
      • Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
      • Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, and Engine Brake Assist
      • Front safety belts, height-adjustable, with pretensioners and load limiters
      • Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)
      • LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points
      • Rear View Camera System
      • Side Curtain Protection® head airbags, front and rear
      • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
    • Performance
      • 2.0L TSI®, 16-valve, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with intercooler and FSI®
      • 6-speed manual transmission
      • DCC® adaptive chassis control
      • Electromechanical progressive power steering system
      • Independent suspension with front MacPherson struts and rear fully independent 4-link suspension
      • Red brake calipers
      • VAQ limited-slip front differential lock
      • Vented front (13.4in) and rear (12.2in) brake rotors and front calipers with GTI logo
    • Technology
      • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
      • App-Connect with wireless capability
      • Bluetooth® technology with audio streaming for compatible devices
      • Discover Media touchscreen navigation system with 8" color display, proximity sensor, AM/FM/HD radio and voice control
      • Fender® Premium Audio System
      • Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
      • High Beam Control (Light Assist)
      • Keyless access with push-button start
      • Lane Assist, Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert
      • Park Distance Control, Park Assist
      • Pedestrian Monitoring (included in Front Assist)
      • Premium color Multifunction Display (MFD)]
      • SiriusXM® 360L with 3-month trial subscription
      • USB-C port
      • Volkswagen Car-Net®
(Courtesy: Carscoops)

As you can tell, not many differences. But if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the Autobahn, because that's one of my bucket-places to go (it's a highway in Germany that has no speed limit).

The Golf has a EPA of 24 MPG city and 32 MPG highway; however, going with the manual reduces those numbers to 23 MPG city and 30 MPG highway.

Now, for the pros and cons. We'll start with the cons. The GTI is known for its sometimes harsh ride quality, the understatement it has compared to rivals, and the more cost than its rivals. But, these things can be forgiven when keeping in mind the great fun the price offers you, along with its cute but classy design.

And my favorite line to say; this car, has a HUGE off-market support system...

(Courtesy: wallpapersqq.net)

(Courtesy: modifiedx.com)

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