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2008 Volkswagen GTI Road Test
Date Published: 4/30/08
Also in the 2008 Volkswagen GTI Review:
1.
2.
Volkswagen GTI Road Test
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Our road test for the 2008 Volkswagen GTI includes a full evaluation of the
2008 Volkswagen GTI from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and
handling performance for the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, but also interior cabin
and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the
2008 Volkswagen GTI help you decide if a 2008 Volkswagen GTI is right for
you.
2008 Volkswagen GTI Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Rear-seat room |
| Instruments/controls | Rear-seat entry/exit (2-dr) |
| Cargo room | Ride w/18-inch tires |
| Steering/handling | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Despite some low-speed turbo lag, GTIs have quick acceleration and impressive highway passing punch. The manual transmission shifts with exemplary precision, but some testers would like shorter throws. The automatic shifts smoothly in automatic or manual mode. It's also quick enough that enthusiast drivers may be tempted to opt for it instead of the manual. R32 has more usable power, particularly for passing and merging, but suffers from annoying low-speed throttle lag.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.6 |
Despite some low-speed turbo lag, GTIs have quick acceleration and impressive highway passing punch. The manual transmission shifts with exemplary precision, but some testers would like shorter throws. The automatic shifts smoothly in automatic or manual mode. It's also quick enough that enthusiast drivers may be tempted to opt for it instead of the manual. R32 has more usable power, particularly for passing and merging, but suffers from annoying low-speed throttle lag.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, GTIs averaged 16.8-19.1 mpg with manual transmission, 23.6 with the automatic, both in slightly more highway travel vs. city driving. Test R32 averaged 20.2 mpg in mostly city driving.
VW recommends premium-grade gas.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5.3 |
In Consumer Guide testing, GTIs averaged 16.8-19.1 mpg with manual transmission, 23.6 with the automatic, both in slightly more highway travel vs. city driving. Test R32 averaged 20.2 mpg in mostly city driving.
VW recommends premium-grade gas.
Ride Quality
Firm suspension tuning irons out small imperfections well enough, but all thump over sharp bumps. Scalloped surfaces can trigger abrupt vertical body motions. Models with the optional 18-inch tires, including R32, are more harsh than those with standard 17s.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.1 |
Firm suspension tuning irons out small imperfections well enough, but all thump over sharp bumps. Scalloped surfaces can trigger abrupt vertical body motions. Models with the optional 18-inch tires, including R32, are more harsh than those with standard 17s.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Among the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars. All have outstanding grip in fast turns with quick, precise steering. The brakes deliver worry-free stops. In snowy conditions, R32 with its standard AWD is especially capable.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Among the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars. All have outstanding grip in fast turns with quick, precise steering. The brakes deliver worry-free stops. In snowy conditions, R32 with its standard AWD is especially capable.
Quietness
Engine noise is only moderate under full-throttle acceleration. One test GTI suffered from some engine clatter at idle. Coarse pavement generates marked hum.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3.2 |
Engine noise is only moderate under full-throttle acceleration. One test GTI suffered from some engine clatter at idle. Coarse pavement generates marked hum.
Controls
The gauges are unobstructed and clearly marked, but some testers find legibility hindered by the blue/purple dashboard lighting. Most switchgear is handy and intuitive. The navigation system, however, takes study to program and absorbs too many audio functions.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.6 |
The gauges are unobstructed and clearly marked, but some testers find legibility hindered by the blue/purple dashboard lighting. Most switchgear is handy and intuitive. The navigation system, however, takes study to program and absorbs too many audio functions.
Details
Interior decor is especially impressive with quality fabrics, nicely textured plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces. One test car did suffer from a minor dashboard creak. A few plastic R32 cabin trim pieces, meant to look upscale, are disappointingly cheap in look and feel.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4.8 |
Interior decor is especially impressive with quality fabrics, nicely textured plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces. One test car did suffer from a minor dashboard creak. A few plastic R32 cabin trim pieces, meant to look upscale, are disappointingly cheap in look and feel.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Great legroom from ultralong seat tracks. Headroom is generous even below the sunroof housing. Driving position is aided by a standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel. GTI's sport buckets help snug passengers during aggressive cornering. R32's more aggressively bolstered sports may prove too confining for larger drivers, and disappoint with lack of power controls, a sin at $35,000.
Wide roof pillars slightly hinder aft visibility.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.3 |
Great legroom from ultralong seat tracks. Headroom is generous even below the sunroof housing. Driving position is aided by a standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel. GTI's sport buckets help snug passengers during aggressive cornering. R32's more aggressively bolstered sports may prove too confining for larger drivers, and disappoint with lack of power controls, a sin at $35,000.
Wide roof pillars slightly hinder aft visibility.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Good headroom, plus adult-size legroom if front seats aren't pushed all the way back. Entry and exit demand dexterity in 2-door models.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1.4 |
Good headroom, plus adult-size legroom if front seats aren't pushed all the way back. Entry and exit demand dexterity in 2-door models.
Cargo Room
Hatchback versatility with lots of useful cargo room and a low load floor. Folding split rear seatbacks are standard, but they don't lie flat.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2.9 |
Hatchback versatility with lots of useful cargo room and a low load floor. Folding split rear seatbacks are standard, but they don't lie flat.
Value within Class
GTI offers many laudable standard safety features and some uncommonly upscale conveniences. But options can lift sticker prices to the top of the class. Still, this is a practical hatchback with near premium-compact build quality and serious driving-enthusiast appeal. That blend earns this sporty hatchback our Recommended nod. The flagship R32 is marginally more fun, but its nearly $10,000 premium over the already rewarding-to-drive GTI is hard to justify.
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
GTI offers many laudable standard safety features and some uncommonly upscale conveniences. But options can lift sticker prices to the top of the class. Still, this is a practical hatchback with near premium-compact build quality and serious driving-enthusiast appeal. That blend earns this sporty hatchback our Recommended nod. The flagship R32 is marginally more fun, but its nearly $10,000 premium over the already rewarding-to-drive GTI is hard to justify.
Total Score
| GTI 2-door, manual | GTI 4-door, manual | GTI 2-door w/18-in wheels, automatic | R32 | Class Average |
| 69 | 70 | 68 | 65 | 53.2 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 42 | |
| Average Score | 53 | |
| High Score | 70 |
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Also in the 2008 Volkswagen GTI Review:
1.
2.
Volkswagen GTI Road Test
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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