2009 Volkswagen GTI Green Cove Springs FL

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2009 Volkswagen GTI to write this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2009 Volkswagen GTI and added driving impressions and details where they help you to sort through other opinions and to choose your perfect car.

Likes
Interior space
Excellent handling
The settled ride of a larger car
Responsive Direct Shift transmission
Fuel economy

Dislikes
Conservative styling
Backseat access difficult in two-doors
Pricey for a tarted-up Rabbit

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI hatch has the same basic appearance as the Rabbit, though its appearance details--including a racier front end and larger, showier wheels--indicate that it's considerably more performance-focused. Overall, however, the model is a clear styling evolution of the previous Golf and Golf GTI models. Last year, the tuner influence deepened as VW reduced the ride height about two-thirds of an inch on the two-door and four-door models. For 2009, however, the high-performance R32 model has been dropped.

The GTI's 2.0 liter, 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine works through either a standard six-speed manual transmission or a Direct Shift (DSG) six-speed gearbox, a type of manual where the driver controls gear changes but the clutchwork is handled automatically. Though either transmission delivers spirited performance, TheCarConnection.com recommends the DSG transmission, as it works fluidly with the turbo's boost, delivering snappy, smooth upshifts and timely downshifts whenever necessary. There's a manual gate to call the shifts, but you probably won't need it. Fuel economy is also surprisingly good in the 2009 Volkswagen GTI.

All GTIs come equipped with 17-inch wheels and performance tires, high-capacity brakes, sport suspension, metal-trimmed pedals, and monochromatic exterior paint schemes--in addition to air conditioning, cruise control, and a rear defroster.

The standard safety equipment package in the 2009 Volkswagen GTI includes anti-whiplash head restraints, a tire pressure monitoring system, and front-side and curtain airbags, as well as electronic stability control. The GTI receives good, but not excellent, safety ratings, including four-star results from the federal government in frontal impact and five-star ratings in side impact.

For 2009, the GTI gains a new 18-inch alloy wheel package, available with summer performance tires, and the optional sound system and navigation system receive an upgrade. The optional audio system in the 2009 Volkswagen GTI has USB and aux inputs, plus an SD memory card slot, Audi CD and DVD playback, and 20 gigabytes reserved for audio storage.

The Bottom Line: The 2009 Volkswagen GTI is the most conservative-looking of sporty hatches--and a bit pricey for a dressed-up Rabbit--but it redeems itself with the driving experience.

Other Choices
If you like the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, also consider:

- Honda Civic Si
- Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- MINI Cooper S
- Volvo C30
- BMW 128i
- Audi A3

Reason Why:
The 2009 Volkswagen GTI lands somewhere between less-mature small, sporty coupes and hatches, like the Civic Si and Mazdaspeed3, and more mature, entry-level sporty luxury coupes like the BMW 1-Series . The Volvo C30 is perhaps the most direct rival to the GTI, though the C30 is decidedly sportier in appearance. Audi's A3 is a slightly larger alternative to the GTI, with five doors for those who want something closer to a wagon. It is admittedly quite a bit more expensive. Yet another rival for the GTI is the MINI Cooper S; many urbanites might appreciate its smaller, nimbler feel.

Buying Tip
With a new Golf due next year, the 2009 Volkswagen GTI might not return for 2010--at least in its present form. If you like this style, get a 2009.

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Review was originally published at TheCarConnection.com
© 2009 TheCarConnection.com