Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk VI 2009 new car review

Volkswagen may have had a greater sense of achievement in 1976 when it launched the world’s first ‘hot hatch’ the Golf GTI. Once VW did it everyone wanted to try it on for size. Thirty-two years later the GTI has matched twin-cam rivals during the 1980s, moved to forced induction in the 1990s and picked up a global legion of fans along the way.

For 2009, the sixth installment of the GTI has been released, but can it still dazzle and dance with innovative competence and relaxed grace? We partnered a new GTI on the tarmac dance floor to find out.

Further back, a new deep rear diffuser houses twin chrome tailpipes at opposing ends. Our test vehicle was equipped with optional 18-inch “Detroit” alloy wheels that set off the aggressive styling well. Overall the GTI has an understated athleticism to its aesthetic that blends modern class with a smart awareness of its own bloodlines.

Get inside the GTI and you’re greeted with an upgraded version of the standard Golf’s class-leading cabin. The heavily bolstered front seats offer a wide range of adjustment as does the thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel. Style comes from subtle touches that include red stitching on the leather steering wheel, gear shifter and parking brake, brushed stainless-steel pedals and gloss black inserts in the doors and instruments.

The general ergonomics are excellent with all switchgear noticeably easy to use and get used to. The boot offers a practical load capacity of 350 litres and comes with handy cargo tie-down points and a net. The four-doors, accommodating back seat and luggage lugging capability all help make the GTI a hot hatch with a family focus. This combined with the sharp interior detailing and high-quality materials will quench potential buyers thirst for both flair and practicality.

This mates up well with the GTI’s power plant and is a smooth operator, changing with lightening speed and diligently drawing out all available power. It has a sports mode that works the engine even harder and offers manual change options in the form of steering wheel paddles and a sequential shift.

While the DSG box is a highly advanced and useful piece of kit it’s almost too perfect with its unrelenting efficiency removing some of the GTI’s fun spirit. It may not appeal to those who like to really muscle their hot hatches around in a fashion that can only be accommodated by having three pedals. That said, when driving around town or on regular duty the DSG is an absolute gem.

Twisted roads have always provided the arena for the Golf GTI to show its pedigree and it’s where the Mk VI excels. The ride is firm but not jarring and remains comfortable on all but the most broken of NZ roads. For the new GTI, VW have added a trick differential named XDS, this is an electronic limited-slip diff that predicts when one front wheel is breaking traction and tells the ESP system that immediately applies braking force to eliminate under steer.

The results are impressive and gift the GTI excellent road manners and allow it high handling limits even when pushed hard. Steering is sharply precise and feedback through the wheel is positive, especially on the open road where it gains weight progressively.

Safety features extend further than the ESP program and now include a driver knee airbag to work in with the front, side and curtain airbags. There’s also ABS braking with Brake Assist, daytime running lights and front passenger airbag deactivation. These features have helped the GTI achieve a 5 Star EuroNCAP safety rating.