After getting behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Golf R, it naturally led to the question: what about the GTI? For many enthusiasts, the 2017 Golf Gti remains the quintessential hot hatch, blending performance, practicality, and everyday usability in a way few cars can match. While the Golf R boasts all-wheel drive and more power, the GTI offers a unique charm and driving experience that’s undeniably appealing. If I were choosing, despite the impressive capabilities of the R, the front-wheel-drive 2017 Golf GTI with its iconic plaid seats would be my personal pick.
The Golf GTI has always held a special place in the automotive world. It’s a hot hatch that’s equally at home carving through backroads and navigating city streets. It’s a car that transcends demographics, fitting in just as well at a country club as it does at a college campus. But more importantly, driving the 2017 Golf GTI is an inherently joyful experience, guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.
The Iconic Two-Box Design Refined
The 2017 model represents the seventh generation of the Golf, the MK7. Built on Volkswagen’s versatile MQB platform, shared with various Audi models, the MK7 Golf is widely regarded as one of the best cars in the world. Across the Golf lineup, from the efficient 1.8T Trendline to the adventurous Sportwagen Alltrack and the high-performance R, the Golf consistently punches above its weight, often outperforming larger, more expensive vehicles.
The design of the 2017 Golf GTI is a masterclass in subtle evolution. The classic two-box silhouette, a direct descendant of the original Rabbit from over four decades prior, has been refined and modernized. It’s slightly longer, wider, and more substantial, yet retains its inherently appealing proportions. It remains an unassuming and practical car, easily accommodating bikes in the rear and child seats in the back. The GTI trim adds sporty 18-inch wheels, distinctive GTI badging, unique headlights, and a more aggressive front fascia.
The signature red accent line across the grille adds a touch of visual flair without being ostentatious, perfectly encapsulating the GTI’s blend of sportiness and sophistication.
While both three-door and five-door configurations were available for the 2017 Golf GTI, the Canadian market saw the three-door model discontinued after this year. The test car featured in this review is the more practical five-door version, finished in an elegant Night Blue Metallic paint, which further enhances its mature yet sporty presence.
Power That’s Perfectly Judged
Many might argue for the Golf R’s superiority due to its higher horsepower and all-wheel-drive system. However, the 2017 Golf GTI demonstrates that outright power isn’t the only metric for a great sports car. In fact, for many drivers, the GTI strikes a more balanced and engaging driving experience.
Under the hood, the GTI shares its 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine with the Golf R. In the GTI, this engine produces a healthy 210 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, according to Volkswagen. The optional Performance package boosts output by an additional 10 horsepower and adds upgraded brakes and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential for enhanced handling. The test vehicle was equipped with the Autobahn trim but without the Performance package.
Power is delivered to the front wheels through either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or, as in this test car, the exceptional 6-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic, the same unit found in the Golf R. The DSG is remarkably responsive in both automatic and manual modes. While the exhaust note might be slightly less aggressive than the R’s, the DSG transmission delivers smooth, quick shifts, significantly enhancing performance. It’s arguably the best transmission in its class for precision and responsiveness.
Similar to the Golf R and other Golf models, the 2017 GTI immediately impresses with its solid and composed feel on the road. It’s exceptionally well-built, and the suspension, while not adjustable like the R’s adaptive dampers, is expertly tuned. It strikes a perfect balance between firmness for sporty driving and compliance for everyday comfort. Throughout the test drive, the GTI effortlessly absorbed road imperfections, remaining free of unwanted chassis noises or interior rattles. The engine’s power delivery is equally impressive; the 2.0-liter turbo is a true gem, providing a consistent surge of torque across the rev range once past initial turbo lag, making the GTI feel significantly quicker than its official numbers suggest.
Volkswagen claims a 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time of around 5.6 seconds with the DSG transmission. Like the R, the GTI includes a launch control feature. In Sport mode, the DSG holds gears longer, shifts quicker, and the electric power steering firms up, adding to the sporty feel. However, steering feedback, while precise, remains somewhat limited.
Despite the lack of ultimate steering feel, the 2017 Golf GTI excels in both straight-line acceleration and cornering. It remains composed and planted, effortlessly tackling winding roads. While front-wheel drive means understeer is present, it’s easily managed with slight throttle adjustments, allowing the GTI’s well-engineered chassis to maintain its line. The GTI’s handling and braking are exceptional, giving the impression that it was meticulously fine-tuned by chassis engineers to achieve near-perfection.
Interestingly, the engineer responsible for chassis and suspension tuning for the GTI also worked on the Porsche 911 GT3 – a testament to the level of expertise behind the 2017 Golf GTI’s dynamic capabilities.
The Quintessential Daily Driver
Beyond its performance prowess, the 2017 Golf GTI truly shines as an exceptional daily driver. It retains all the practicality and usability of the standard Golf, meaning it’s comfortable, quiet, and refined for everyday commutes. Fold the rear seats down, and the GTI boasts a generous 52.7 cubic feet (1,492 liters) of cargo space – more than some compact crossovers.
Stepping inside the 2017 Golf GTI reveals one of the most well-executed interiors in its class, rivaling even some luxury sedans. The test car featured the iconic plaid cloth seats, a nod to the original GTI, which are both comfortable and visually distinctive. Leather upholstery is also available for those preferring a more traditional look.
Regardless of upholstery choice, the seats are supportive and comfortable. The GTI’s instrument cluster is straightforward and well-organized, featuring traditional analog gauges and a central LCD screen for essential information. The interior prioritizes functionality and quality, using premium materials, excellent build quality, and subtle GTI-specific touches like red stitching and ambient red LED lighting.
The flat-bottom steering wheel is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to hold, housing controls for infotainment and driver assistance systems. The GTI’s semi-autonomous features are subtly integrated and easily accessible via a stalk-mounted button. The lane assist system, in particular, is noted as being exceptionally effective and non-intrusive.
The 2017 Golf GTI’s impressive suite of features and overall refinement makes a compelling case against considering anything else in its segment. While the Golf R pushes the boundaries of Golf performance, the GTI delivers a more holistic and refined package, feeling more like a precision instrument than just a car.
The Premium Hot Hatch Experience
Despite its numerous strengths, the 2017 Golf GTI isn’t without minor drawbacks. Like the Golf R, the simulated engine noise from the Soundaktor system is a point of contention. While less pronounced than in the R, it still creates an artificial vibration within the cabin. In cold weather, particularly with ice on the windshield, this system can produce odd noises, detracting from the otherwise refined driving experience.
Price is another consideration. While the base three-door manual GTI starts at a reasonable price, adding options and choosing higher trims can quickly escalate the cost. Moving up to a five-door model with desirable wheels and features increases the price significantly. Opting for the full GTI experience with the Performance package pushes the price even higher, potentially overlapping with entry-level Audi models, which might make the GTI less appealing to some buyers at the higher end of its price range.
Considering the GTI’s positioning, it’s arguable that Volkswagen should keep the higher-end features and pricing for the Golf R and maintain the GTI’s more accessible performance focus. The GTI’s core appeal has always been delivering affordable performance to a wider audience. Furthermore, Volkswagen’s maintenance costs can be higher than average, which is something to factor into long-term ownership.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the recommendation remains to consider the base GTI trim levels. They offer the same engaging driving experience, refinement, and practicality as higher trims at a more accessible price point. Overall, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI is an exceptional vehicle in every sense, capable of satisfying both the driving enthusiast and the demands of daily life, all without drawing undue attention.
Ultimately, the 2017 Golf GTI’s blend of performance, practicality, and refinement makes it an undeniably compelling package and a worthy contender for the title of best hot hatch.
Clavey’s Verdict
Review of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI by William Clavey
9.8 / 10 Hot Hatchbacks
+ + Impressive performance and handling. + Sophisticated and efficient dual-clutch automatic. + Very practical and comfortable.
– – Soundaktor engine sound amplifier. – Can become expensive with options. – Higher than average maintenance costs.
Clavey’s Corner is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Prices and trim levels discussed in this article reflect the Canadian car market.
Special thanks: Volkswagen Canada
Photography: Appearance
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