Volkswagen Golf GTI 2017 Review
A sporty car you can really live with, the Volkswagen Golf GTI 2017 ticks all the boxes.
VW Golf GTI 2017 Aggregated Reviews |
| Cars Guide: 8.1/10 |
| Motoring: 8/10 |
| Drive: 8/10 |
| Car Advice: 9/10 |
| Car and Driver: 10/10 |
| Combined total score: 8.62/10 |
We love:
- Best interior in the hot hatch class
- Engine sounds great
- Clear difference between 'comfort' and 'sport' mode.
- AEB and pedestrian detection are standard safety features.
Pain points:
- Ignition requires key insertion
- Not as powerful as some of the competition
- No volume knob forces you to fumble with the touchscreen
Volkswagen Golf GTI 2017 review
As the benchmark hot-hatch of the last decade, will the VW Golf GTI 2017 live up to its name? Read on to find out.
Exterior of the VW Golf GTI 2017
With automatic LED headlights and a new front bumper, the VW Golf GTI 2017 has an aggressive stance over its 18-inch alloy rims. Twin exhaust tips are a little larger than before, and there's a new faux diffuser.
Image courtesy of Car Advice
New LED tail lamps, lowered air intake vents and sharper bumpers meet more aggressive side louvres and complement the familiar honeycomb grille. Rain-sensing windscreen wipers and electrically foldable, heated and adjustable exterior mirrors with environment lighting complete the VW Golf GTI 2017.
Inside the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI
The inside outstrips any of its competition with it's a combination of microfleece/Leatherette soft materials, tartan-cloth trim seats and intuitive driver controls.
Image courtesy of Car Advice
You can comfortably fit four adults with 380L of luggage space, plus there are 2 ISOFIX mounts for child seats. With the back seats folded there's 1270L of space, you can even fit a pushbike in, thanks to a space-saving spare wheel.
"The Golf GTI is my daily drive." - Jeremy Clarkson, The Australian.
Small items can be stored in large door pockets, and there are two cupholders in front, two in the rear and bottle holders in the doors. In the boot, you'll find convenient shopping bag hooks, a storable luggage cover and a second 12V socket.
Image courtesy of Car Advice
The driver's seat is electronically adjusted with a three-position memory function, and both front seats are heated. LED ambient lighting in the driver and passenger footwells, front door decorative inlays, door openers and handles complete the premium cabin.
Connectivity
An 8-inch touchscreen displays your phone using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink; and a local wifi hotspot can interact with multiple devices front and back.
Sound projects through eight speakers from 10GB internal storage, 2 SD card slots for music, a CD player or AM/FM radio. There's a 12V socket in the centre console and another in the luggage compartment.
Active Info Display upgrade - Image courtesy of Car Advice
With the Active Info Display upgrade, traditional dashboard instruments are replaced with a 12.3-inch digital screen behind the steering wheel. Vehicle performance information, navigation and driver assistance information can be configured here.
What's it like to drive a Volkswagen Golf GTI 2017?
Reaching 100km/h from a standstill in 6.4 seconds, the newest edition of the VW Golf GTI is actually 0.2s slower than its predecessor.
The 2.0L engine has character, it's flexibility mirrored in the highly competent braking at both high and low speeds. On a winding country road, the VW Golf GTI 2017 handles predictably. You'll struggle to induce wheelspin or mitigate understeer, with firm grip and certainty through each corner making it easy to drive enthusiastically.
Image courtesy of Car Advice
The car responds confidently to tweaks of the flat-bottomed steering wheel due to a mechanically constant variable steering rack, with a directness that sets it apart from front-wheel-drive alternatives.
"Still the hot hatch to beat, no matter where you look." - Tim Robson, CarsGuide.
Who's the VW Golf GTI 2017 for?
This effortless, accessible, rewarding drive offers practical performance for drivers looking for something a little bit special.
The more expensive GTI Performance 1 comes in either White Silver or Dark Iron Blue and is limited to only 150 cars for drivers looking for an exclusive model.
Feature Summary
Price: $41,490
Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo petrol (169kW/350Nm)
Transmission: Six-speed manual or DSG, front-wheel drive.
Wheels: 18-inch Milton Keynes alloy
Safety: 5-star ANCAP
Fuel: 6.4L/100km
Emissions: 152g/km
AV and tech: 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seats: 5
Doors: 5
You can finance a VW Golf GTI 2017 from $182/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost to embrace your true style.
Looking for a more affordable VW Polo or a VW SUV option? Find out more about our VW Car Loan options.
No time to shop around for your car? Just tell us exactly what you want, including the features and colour. We will find the vehicle to match and negotiate the best price for you.
*Over a 5-year loan term.
Tom Caesar is the Managing Director of The Positive Group, a group of Australian financial services companies offering a broad range of finance to clients Australia wide. The Positive Group assist clients in the areas of car finance, mortgages, insurance & wealth management. Tom has been in car & asset finance for over 10 years. Tom regularly contributes articles on car finance, insurance, technology and business growth, drawing on his experience of starting his own brokerage in 2009.