Review: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI – True Everyday Performance!

Utter the words ‘hot hatch’ and, almost immediately, the Volkswagen Golf GTI comes to mind for many. Such is the lore created by perhaps one of the car world’s most celebrated performance badges, and it’s a reputation that’s very much deserving.

For Malaysian fans though, the latest eighth-gen version of which comes with the additional treat of being locally assembled (CKD) for the first time by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), thus making it a little more affordable and accessible in price than before too.

The localisation effort does see a few key omissions in features and specs, but thankfully none of which stifles this hot hatch’s performance magic. In short, though there are several bits to loathe, there’s still much to love and bask in overall.

Basically, if you seek a hot hatch that’s actually thrilling to drive without compromising too much on daily driveability, this could be your best bet…

OVERVIEW

Compared to the outgoing face-lifted seventh-gen (Mk7.5) Golf GTI it replaces, we’ll agree with fans about how this new eighth-gen successor does sport much less aggression in terms of its styling and stance. However, we’ll argue that this is perhaps a sign of the Golf GTI ‘maturing’ in looks instead.

What’s certain is that the famed three-lettered performance badge does include a host of sporty details warranted such as the sporty bumper with its striking honeycomb-pattern grille insert, and snazzy 18-inch alloy wheels. The only thing missing here are the honeycomb-patterned LED foglamps this model is primed with in other markets, but this isn’t a deal-breaker to say the least.

Indeed, these bits plus the visibly lower ride height the GTI rides on all bode well with the novel design touch the base eighth-gen Golf hatch already boasts – snazzy all-LED headlight, connecting front grille LED light strip, and rear taillamps with sequential turn signal repeaters all included.

Surely, despite sharing the basic silhouette, you won’t be mistaking this hot GTI variant for any of its other siblings like the R-Line slotted below it, or the even more manic R variant sitting above it. And the story is similar once you climb aboard into the cabin.

ON THE INSIDE

On board, this Malaysian-assembled hot hatch swaps out the GTI’s signature ‘Tartan’ fabric seats in favour of plusher, leather-covered semi-buckets instead up front, with the driver side bolstered with electronic adjustment, memory functions, as well as both seat-heating and ventilation too. These, if we're honest, don’t feel too shabby indeed.

Then there are the two visual eye candies in the form of the sizable screens present, those being the massive 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. Both are full-colour units that offer a multitude of display options plus GTI-specific displays too.

Supplementing these though are a series of capacitive touch panels in place of actual physical buttons. Depending on perhaps your age or tech-savviness, these could either be perhaps the easiest or the most annoying interface to use. Either way, getting to grips with them will require time and perhaps patience.

That aside, there is indeed enough space all-around that feels neither cramped nor sparse. What’s great here too is the Germanic levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) suppression present – did you expect anything less of a German brand?

In terms tech and convenience, this localised hot hatch has been decently-primed to say the least. You’ll still get things like keyless entry and ignition, wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, USB-C charge ports, as well as a wireless charging pad with a nifty flap to secure your phone in.

Finnicky touchpads aside, there’s indeed little to loathe with this hot hatch’s cabin in terms of space, comfort and features count, which really has been the case for the Golf GTI since its fifth generation at least. The real draw, of course, comes when you thumb the start button and get this hot hatch going…

DRIVING

Sitting up front is a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cyl mill that’s effectively carried-over from the seventh-gen Golf GTI, albeit tweaked slightly to be both peppier and more efficient. Paired with the marque’s signature and slick 7-speed DSG dual-clutch box, it supplies 242 HP and a rather meaty 370 NM to the front wheels.

When tasked at propelling this hatch’s claimed 1,463 KG heft, things are respectably rapid to say the least. 0-100 KM/H is despatched in just 6.3 seconds whilst enroute towards its restricted 250 KM/H V-Max – more than enough to leave any souped-up Proton Wira that decides to tailgate you in its dust.

Even if this feels a tad bit much for you, fret not as the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) suite primed in this localised German hot hatch lets you tone things down a little thanks to the four selectable drive modes present, those being ‘Sport’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Eco’, and a user-set ‘Custom’ mode.

Coupled with both the XDS+ electronic differential primed in the powertrain and the adaptive dampers primed at each corner, it all gels well towards ensuring this hot hatch behaves accordingly. Aptly, things are at their most refined state in Comfort, which is the mode we found ourselves in for the most parts.

Obviously, Sport mode is where the Golf GTI’s performance magic really shines, and it’s one best savoured with a jaunt through a twisty B-road. That’s because this is the mode that firms up said dampers for greater feedback, with greater weight and sharpness dialled into the electronic power-steering too.

Additionally, Sport mode is also where the grippy Bridgestone Potenza tyres shod on those snazzy 18-inch alloys mentioned, as well as massive ventilated 340 MM front disc brakes grabbed by dual-pot calipers, take greater effect.

Like its predecessors, there’s no denying this hot hatch’s fun-driving repertoire, but the uprated and somewhat refined restraints it now boasts in either Comfort or Eco modes truly makes it a versatile daily driver when needed.

SAFETY

While the aesthetic omissions are somewhat acceptable, we reckon many will not sit well with the absence of any advanced driver assistance (ADAS) in this localised hot hatch. Amplifying this further is the fact that similarly-priced but non-performance alternatives all pack said assistances.

However, this doesn’t mean the Golf GTI isn’t a ‘safe’ car to be in. We say this simply because VPCM ensured the basic are covered, at the very least. Backing this up are the inclusion of ABS brakes with both stability and traction control suites, the presence of six airbags lining the cabin, as well as ISOFIX childseat anchors for the rear seats.

Depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting in, this may or may not be a deal-breaker. Given the thrilling performance present at hand, we reckon those who want a little bit of fun in their daily drive wouldn’t mind it.

RUNNING COSTS & RELIABILITY

Some good news here as the performance-oriented DSG transmission hardware primed in the GTI rarely goes wrong. This, along with the 5-year, unlimited warranty coverage VPCM offers should ease any worries of long-term ownership to say the least.

Also, having a powertrain that’s effectively carried over from the last generation perhaps indicates its underlying robustness, provided you don’t get lured with any aftermarket tuning. Be warned, should you indulge in this endeavour, it’s one warranty-voiding rabbit hole that’s hard to climb out of.

Apart from that, VPCM’s claims of the GTI powertrain’s respectably frugal ability to sip just 7.4 Litres/100 KM on average is another plus. This translates to between 550 KM and 600 KM of real-world driving, the latter being very much possible when the Golf GTI is set to Eco mode.

Again, these are effectively the same as what we’ve seen in the Golf GTI since the Mk 5, and it’s perhaps one of the more underrated positive aspects of owning one.

SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

Evidently, the draw behind the eighth-gen Golf GTI’s package is strong, especially for those yearning for thrills without sacrificing daily driveability and practicality. Fortunately, said versatility is now a little more accessible thanks to the aforementioned localisation, thus making the Golf GTI’s RM227,012 price tag sans insurance all the more tempting.

To put in perspective, this locally built version is actually priced lower than the previous-gen Mk7.5 Golf GTI which retailed at over RM240,000 when it was launched. Sure, it does come at the omission of several key features expected of any car at this size, but it is undeniably a bargain considering what the package delivers in total.

Clearly, the Golf GTI’s classic hot hatch recipe remains as tasty as it has always been. The aforementioned bargain only makes it a whole lot more tempting, as is the fact that this could be the last ‘pure’ hot hatch of its kind we’ll see on sale now before everything goes electric. We reckon it won’t take much to convince you into considering one. We definitely are.

SPECIFICATIONS

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI