Road Test: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S

Road Test: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S

Hot Hatch Fun!

Strap in. Feel the engine rumble. Engage the clutch. Try to stop smiling.

We can end right here, but that would not be doing the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S justice. This hatchback needs to be driven; nay, wants to be driven. Which is exactly what we did for one fun-filled week tackling Southern California freeways and mountain roads. Hey, Volkswagen, please don’t take this one away!

Turbocharged Enthusiasm

The Golf GTI, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, puts out 241 horsepower (hp) and 273 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The front wheels are driven through either a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual like our test car. You can read about our driving the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI with the DSG transmission here. If you are looking for more umph and traction, the 2023 Golf R with 315 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque comes standard with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Maximum torque for the GTI is reached at 1,600 rpm, but that doesn’t begin to tell the performance story. The torque band is wide as you go through the gears—2^nd through 4^th are where the acceleration fun and responsiveness lie. Our 0-60 times were a respectable 5.1 seconds, but straight line speed will not be the pacing item for owning a Golf GTI or what makes it so much fun.

Launching in first is only the gateway to the 2-3-4 gear sequence of wringing-out performance that is wonderful between 3,500 and 6,000 rpm. Find sweeping corners or tight twisties to test this gear sequence and torque. Note: Pay no attention to the upshift/downshift read-out on the dash gauge, as it wants you to shift so as to take the fun out of driving in high revs.

The clutch is smooth and forgiving; the transmission has short throws. Volkswagen engineers have made it possible from a standing start, at slow speeds and on flat roads, to gently release the clutch without pressing on the accelerator pedal. This helps with smooth launches, making dumping the clutch and stalling the engine hard to do. The forgiving clutch at low speeds also comes in handy when stuck in stop-and-go rush hour traffic, as the fewer times you need to depress the left pedal the less stress and fatigue on your leg.

Fuel economy estimates by the EPA are 23 mpg city/32 highway/27 combined. In 265 miles we averaged 29.8 mpg. But in two 110-mile highway runs at 65 mph, we averaged 33.4 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

Driving Experience: Searching Out Esses

The 3,133-pound Golf GTI has a light and agile feel with a surefooted driving experience that begins with the Goodyear Eagle Sport 225/45 all-season tires mounted on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Tossing on some performance/summer tires on the GTI would be amazing.

The well-weighted variable ratio electric-power assist steering provided accurate turning results, with the leather-wrapped steering wheel having a good, solid feel. The four-wheel independent sport suspension, with electronic stability control, has front struts and coil springs, with coil springs, telescopic dampers and an anti-roll bar on the rear delivering a smooth, solid ride. The torque-sensing limited slip differential (with an electronic differential lock) aided the precision handling.

Search out esses, where a flow of a series of left-right, left-right sweepers will demonstrate the ease and flow of the handling. There is no herky-jerky correcting of the steering wheel – only smooth transitions to easily find the apex. There was good lateral stability in the chassis in part by the stamped steel body using high-strength hot-formed steel. The stops were straight and true with the Golf’s standard four-wheel anti-lock braking system, power-assisted front vented and rear solid discs, with electronic brake pressure distribution and electronic stability control. The red calipers poking out from the alloy wheels looked sharp.

The GTI S has four driver-selectable drive modes–Normal, Comfort, Sport and Custom–with the last two offering steering and throttle response differences. There is also an ESC Sport and ESC Off feature that allows the driver to either increase slip thresholds (Sport), or completely deactivate (Off) the Electronic Stability Control. Best leave this for a track day as ESC is an important and valuable safety feature for daily driving.

How to summarize the handling of the Golf GTI? It is a sport hatchback with a balanced suspension for handling and ride comfort that can only be topped for handling and performance in the Volkswagen line-up by its sibling, the Golf R. But the R has all-wheel drive, more horsepower and torque and performance tires, but comes at a higher price.

Sport Interior

The 2023 Golf GTI comes in four models—S, 40th Edition, SE and Autobahn. Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the base Golf GTI S where practicality and performance meet.

The heated sport front seats have manual adjustments, but power recline. Covered in a black durable cloth, with a plaid design and red top stitching and red embossed “GTI” on the integrated headrests, the seats were comfortable, supportive and grippy, especially when cornering. There is an impressive amount of seat travel that will accommodate tall drivers and, without a sunroof, there is plenty of head room. The shoulder belts were height adjustable so they don’t cut across your neck.

The rear seats two adults, three in a pinch. Leg, head and shoulder room was good, and the fold down center console has cup holders and opens for long item pass-through. The rear passengers get USB ports and adjustable climate vents. The utility of a hatchback comes into play with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo storage with the rear seats upright that grows to a useful 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seat laid flat. The stainless steel pedal covers and the carpeted front and rear floor mats were nice upscale touches.

Digital Cockpit

The 10.25-inch configurable digital information display includes round speedometer, tachometer and boost gauges with a black background, white lettering and red accents that matched the red on the steering wheel, gear shift and seats. The shifter has a nice grip and is situated perfectly in the center console where it shares space with the electronic parking brake piano switch.

Taking center stage of the dash is the 8.25-inch color touchscreen that handles the rear view camera and the audio system with AM/FM/HD radio, with four USB C ports and app connection interfaces. Also part of the MIB2 infotainment system is Bluetooth for telephone and streaming music, and wireless phone charging.

Clean Fleet Report is a big fansof knobs and switches for the radio and climate controls, both of which are in short supply on the Golf GTI S. Controlling the radio and the single zone climate system is with small haptic, or touch, buttons on the steering wheel or dash.  The radio interface isn’t as intuitive as many other systems we have used, and it would take longer than the week we had in the car to master it. The dash design is simple and has convenience features such as a leather-covered multi-function steering wheel with a squared-off bottom, a leather-trimmed shift knob, and heated seats and steering wheel. Missing was a head-up display.

Other conveniences are power windows, keyless access, push button start/stop, rain sensing windshield wipers, hill hold, power adjustable and manual folding heated side mirrors, electronic parking brake, anti-theft system with engine immobilizer, tire pressure monitoring system, trip computer display, and 30-color ambient cabin lighting.

All Golf models are equipped with Volkswagen’s CarNet connected car technology that provides a seamless link between the car and an iPhone, Android smartphone or computer. As Volkswagen says, it “keeps you connected with your car even when you’re apart.”

Iconic Design

The iconic exterior is classic Golf, now in its eighth generation. The first models arrived in America in 1983. Volkswagen designers have not gone the route of adding unnecessary scoops, vents and an overly large front grille. The Golf GTI is true to itself as a compact hatchback that delivers a pure joy of driving. Clean Fleet Report’s test car was painted in a very attractive Atlantic Blue Metallic.

The sleek LED head and daytime running lights squint from the far edges of the fenders, and sit above the five LED fog light pattern on the lower fascia. The sculpted and gently sloped hood leads to a strong but subtle body line, or the line that runs the side of the car from front to back. The flat roof has a color-keyed shark fin antenna that sits just before the small hatch window visor. Horizontal LED tail lamps, a VW badge that flips-up to reveal the rear view camera, and the bold red “GTI” badge all reside above the twin chrome-tipped exhaust pipes peaking-out from under the rear fascia.

Driver Assistance and Safety

In addition to six airbags, all 2023 Volkswagen Golf models come with IQ Drive that uses front and rear radar, a front camera and several ultrasound sensors to collect data enabling semi-automated driving assistance. Other Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are Travel Assist that includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert; adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist. Travel Assist also allows for brief amounts of time where the driver’s hands are not touching the steering wheel. Emergency Assist will bring the Golf to a stop if no driver activity is monitored.

The Intelligent Crash Response System turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors and switches on the hazard lights in case of an accident. If there is an accident, the brakes are automatically applied by the automatic post-collision braking system so the car does not continue moving, resulting in a secondary accident. This technology shows its value so an incapacitated driver is not injured further by their car striking another object.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2023 Golf GTI comes in four trim levels ranging in base price, including the mandatory $1,095 destination fee, of $31,625 to $40,965. Clean Fleet Report’s Golf GTI S with the 6-speed manual transmission had no options and came in at $31,275.

The Golf comes with these warranties:

• New Vehicle (fully transferable) – Four years/50,000 miles
• Free Service – Two years/20,000 miles
• Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles
• Corrosion Perforation – Seven years/100,000 miles

Observations: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S

As base model cars go, the 2023 Golf GTI S with the 6-speed manual transmission is one of the best deals you can get. Assuming you actually enjoy driving. Dollar-for-dollar the GTI S is an absolute blast to drive as it does more than is expected. The Golf GTI holds its own against competing rivals like the Hyundai Elantra N, Toyota Corolla GR and the Honda Civic Type R and Si.

The list of standard equipment and features make the Golf GTI S a highway cruiser and daily commuter, but really what it shines at is as a corner-eating curve hunter. The entry price to all this fun is around $30,000, and embodies Volkswagen’s former marketing slogan of Farfegnugen or “driving enjoyment.” Our only issue is the convoluted and overly complicated infotainment interface, which with some time and experimentation possibly may become bearable.

Go check out the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, whether with the manual or automatic transmission, to see how your SUV has dulled your senses to what it means to really drive a fun car.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.