Acceleration

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
7	7	4.4

GTI only version made available for test so far. Suffers some turbo lag from a stop, but acceleration strong thereafter; especially impressive in highway passing maneuvers. Manual transmission a model of precision, though some testers would prefer shorter throws. SMT shifts so quickly, smoothly in automatic and manual modes, it's a tempting alternative to manual transmission even for enthusiast drivers.

Fuel Economy

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
5	6	6.7

Averaged 19.1 mpg with manual transmission, 23.6 with SMT. Both tests included slight majority of highway driving. Rabbit uses regular-grade fuel. VW recommends premium-grade fuel for the GTI.

Ride Quality

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
4	4	4.9

Firm suspension irons out small pavement imperfections, but thumps over sharp bumps. Scalloped surfaces can trigger abrupt vertical body motions.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
8	8	5.6

GTI among the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars. Sharp, nimble moves. Quick, precise, nicely weighted steering. Worry-free braking.

Quietness

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
4	4	4.2

Engine sounds smooth, eager in rapid acceleration. SMT test example's clattered at idle. Hum from 18-inch tires intrudes on coarse surfaces.

Controls

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
6	6	5.9

Gauges unobstructed, clearly marked, but some testers find legibility compromised by blue/purple instrument panel lighting and limited range of brightness adjustment. Main switchgear handy, intuitive, though cruise control lever easily confused with turn signal stalk. Navigation system takes study to program, absorbs too many audio controls. High-quality interior materials, with impressive array of soft-touch surfaces.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
7	7	5.5

Great leg room from ultralong seat tracks. Generous head room, even below sunroof housing. Supportive seats include height adjustment and plenty of bolstering to hold passengers in place during aggressive cornering. Driving position aided by standard tilt/telescope steering wheel. Aft visibility slightly obscured by wide rear roof pillars.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
3	3	3.9

Good head room, impressive leg room. Only a tall passenger behind a tall driver will find too little room. Entry/exit demands dexterity.

Cargo Room

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
7	7	4.7

Lots of useful cargo room thanks to hatchback design, low load floor. Rear seats split but don't fold flat. Cargo cover is standard, but rigid panel doesn't stow easily when not in use.

Value within Class

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
6	6	6.2

These VWs come with a laudable list of standard safety features, but prices climb rapidly with optional amenities. VW also suffers from subpar customer-satisfaction scores for reliability and dealer service. That said, the GTI's sporty character, willing power, and ample cargo room make for a rewarding blend of fun and practicality.

Total Score

GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., man	GTI w/nav. sys., 18-in. whls., SMT	Class Average
57	58	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64