Updated 2019 Volkswagen GTI

Aero2001

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Should be opposite at least the consumer turbo cars are terrible at highway speeds due to die off at high rpm. NA for highway and turbo for city
I drove a Saab 9-5 Aero for eight years, and believe me, the midrange punch of a good turbo simply dominates the highway. It's not about a high redline, but about a really fat torque curve in the meat of the rpm range. My Saab's punch would taper off somewhere just above 5,000 rpm, but so what? Upshift, and keep riding the boost.

After that, it took me a long time to adjust to my TSX, and I've never been thrilled with its highway performance. It's good, but not even remotely close to the Saab. (Frankly, the Civic Si has better highway punch too.) But I do prefer the quick-revving NA motor with short gearing in the city. And it sounds better too.
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d1zguy

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I drove a Saab 9-5 Aero for eight years, and believe me, the midrange punch of a good turbo simply dominates the highway. It's not about a high redline, but about a really fat torque curve in the meat of the rpm range. My Saab's punch would taper off somewhere just above 5,000 rpm, but so what? Upshift, and keep riding the boost.

After that, it took me a long time to adjust to my TSX, and I've never been thrilled with its highway performance. It's good, but not even remotely close to the Saab. (Frankly, the Civic Si has better highway punch too.) But I do prefer the quick-revving NA motor with short gearing in the city. And it sounds better too.
True, Same came be said of NA, for example you just need to downsshift one more gear. on my 19' Mustang GT I have to be at 4k RPMS to really feel it pull hard 420ft lbs Below that it is still decent but it really gets going at 4k.
 

ablueSI

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Yes, the GTI has very tall gearing, which I noticed when I tested a Rabbit Edition (6MT) last week. With tall gearing and a slightly laggy turbo, it feels very different from my TSX, which (as all Hondaphiles know) has a quick-revving NA motor and very short gearing. The net result is that, despite its huge power, torque, and weight advantages, the GTI doesn't feel any stronger at lower speeds than my TSX. Past about 40 mph, however, the turbo torque takes over, and the GTI crushes my Acura. On the highway, turbos rule.

I've also driven the current Civic Si, and I basically agree with Car and Driver's comparison. The Si has better handling and a better shifter, but the GTI is more luxurious, with a better ride, nicer interior, and lower road noise. Plus, while not as razor sharp as the Civic Si, the GTI still has excellent handling. The GTI also has modern safety tech on all trims, which is a big advantage IMO.

As others have mentioned, the GTI is selling well below MSRP, so great deals are available. I'd be getting ready to pull the trigger on a Rabbit Edition in Cornflower Blue, but I'm irritated that it lacks satellite radio. WTF? No car in that price range should be without it, and I've become addicted to it after nine years in my TSX. Even our lower-trim 2016 Forester has it, not to mention the Kia Souls I've had as rentals. Sheesh.
Thanks for your insight, very interesting. Everything you’ve said here reminds me of why I’m glad I got my Si versus a GTI. I still love GTIs, and for a while it was the only car I wanted. But the gearing combined with the hatch body (which I used to love but lately has not been my preference) irks me. Agree that the interior is nicer than the Civic’s.

I absolutely love how the TSX drives and was first introduced to the precise Honda-style steering feel on a test drive of that car (2nd gen). I was comparing it to 2nd gen G35/G37 sedans and was shocked to find that the steering and car itself felt significantly tighter than the Infinitis.

Also saw what you said regarding your Saab. I’ve had a ton of seat time in an 02 9-5 aero, that thing has torque like no other on the freeway. Amazingly fun car to drive despite (imo) the vague, loose steering and crippling understeer. It just has so much character and I love the interior and all it’s quirks.
 

MattyNice

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Over the years (like past 15 or so) I have looked at the GTI too many times to count. Many dealer trips after close and sat in many times but never driven. Love the interior and it’s basically been hailed as the greatest sport compact for years by reviewers. I just can’t ever get past that hatch look..just don’t like it. That and with sunroof it’s like 30k and I always look at it and think, “that much for this.” BUT, that hatch does make it so practical and a big part of me just has to experience it from the articles going back to the 90’s. Don’t too much care about the reliability part as not a long term car keeper but that hatch look...
 

H3llsp4wn707

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I tried to force myself to like the Golf R and i just cant do it, so there is no way i would consider a gti. Im currently driving a 15 wrx and about to sell it and buy a new Si :)
 

racer

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If you don't like the hatch, there is always the GLi or Audi A3/S3.
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