Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen has updated the cabin of the Golf GTI and it now looks more modern and at par with its rivals in the hot hatchback class. The dashboard is dominated by a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.3-inch instrument cluster. Both units share a piano-black bezel. The three-spoke, multifunction steering wheel has a heavily contoured rim with touch-sensitive controls.

The cabin upholstery of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI continues to be of Vienna leather. But quality-wise it’s much improved than earlier. The bolstered front seats sport red accents on the outer edges. The iconic plaid inserts on the top and bottom cushions also get a red outline treatment. Interior finishing of the new-generation Golf GTI, unlike the car’s previous version, isn’t top notch. A lot of hard plastics have been used in the cabin to reduce production cost and keep the asking price low. While this doesn’t affect the comfort quotient, it reduces the cabin’s look and feel factor. Buyers won’t mind though since they’ll get their money’s worth with the car’s performance.

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI has a lower cowl and visibility of the road ahead is much improved. But the digital instrument cluster in overly configurable.  A set of analog gauges would have made things simpler.

Overall the cabin of the new-generation Golf GTI is a nice place to be in. 

Passenger and boot space 

The cabin of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI is spacious for a hatchback. The boxy shape has created more interior space compared to most of its rivals. There’s superb headroom and legroom even on the rear seat that has made the car more practical. The seats are nicely cushioned and offer great back support. The two front seats have the most space like in all hatchbacks. Five adults can comfortably travel in the car without any need to readjust their seating position for long-distance travelling. Even taller passengers won’t have any dearth of leg space. A slight annoyance for passengers on the rear seat are the large integrated headrests that block the car’s front window. The doors are large and offer easy entry and exit. This is particularly helpful for families with senior citizens and small children. 

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI comes with a 360-liter boot space. That can be further increased by partially folding down the rear seat. But that’ll be hardly necessary as the boot is spacious enough to carry all the luggage for a short weekend trip.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI?

The car comes with a 50-liter fuel tank. 

Comfort and entertainment

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI is fairly well-appointed in term of passenger amenities. The car comes with a three-zone automatic climate control system, and active climate front seats along with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat. There’s ambient lighting with five preset themes. Operating the 10.0-inch Discover Media touchscreen infotainment system could be a bit of challenge at first because there are no buttons. The system comes with wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and wireless smartphone charging. It supports gesture control. But a more traditional approach with buttons would have been more effective and quick.

Storage spaces in the Golf GTI facelift is still limited. There aren’t many bottle holders and that’s a drawback during long highway trips.   

Volkswagen has updated the exterior of the Golf GTI for the 2022 model-year. But the changes aren’t revolutionary. The car looks bolder and sleeker compared to its earlier generation. But Volkswagen chose to retain the car’s overall boxy styling. The front fascia has been upgraded and it is now more attention grabbing. The sleek all-round headlights and the X-shaped fog lights make the car stand out. The fog lamps are now embedded into the honeycomb mesh pattern. The crease lines on the body aren’t sharp. Of course they can be enhanced with aftermarket accessories. But even with a rather plain exterior, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI looks attractive. 

The updated Golf GTI follows the flowing roof design but that doesn’t eat into the cabin space.

What are the dimensions of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI?

The hot hatchback measures 4,287mm in length, 1,789mm in breadth, and 1,444mm in height. The wheelbase dimension has increased to 2,631mm. 

What is the ground clearance of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI?

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has a ground clearance of 135mm. It’s higher than most compact hatchbacks. But body roll in minimum and the car can negotiate potholes and bumps much better than its rivals. 

A major reason behind the popularity of hatchbacks is their mileage. The Volkswagen Golf GTI returned a mileage of around 16kmpl on combined road conditions. Mileage will be lower in city conditions.

Driving the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI is an enjoyable experience. The Golf has traditionally been a well-behaved car and the updated version retains the same characteristics. The multifunction steering wheel is promptly responsive. The car has a relatively small turning radius which helps in cutting sharp bends. Hatchbacks are designed for in-city commuting and the Golf GTI is among the best here. The powertrain is smooth and the transmission seamless. The dual-clutch transmission is the best option for driving around the town. There’s no fuss when the car changes gears.

The Golf GTI comes with Volkswagen’s Travel Assist (TA) function. This is an intelligent cruise control system that prevents the car coming too close to the vehicle in front of it. The TA includes lane-departure control that prevents the car veering away from the line of drive.

The Golf GTI handles really well both within the city and on the highway. In city traffic it merges well with the milieu. On the highway the car offers a well-planted drive at a stable speed.

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI is available in a single variant in Malaysia. It’s hauled by a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 2.0-liter petrol engine that produces 245PS maximum power at 5,000rpm and 370Nm peak torque at 4,200rpm. The motor is mated to a seven-speed dual- automatic transmission. The Volkswagen Golf GTI, unfortunately, doesn’t get any manual transmission option. 

The new-generation Golf GTI was introduced in 2022. Its styling has been more evolutionary than revolutionary. The body proportions still remain the same. But Volkswagen has packed the car with more technology and driver-assist features. This has made the Golf GTI one of the most feature-packed cars in its segment. It now comes with a standard electronic limited-slip differential that prevents the tires from spinning when pushing the throttle, thereby promoting a much quicker straight-line acceleration. Road tests have revealed that the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI can hit 60mph in about 5.1 seconds. The Bridgestone Potenza S005, 235/35R-19 91Y tires provide great on-road traction. 

The Golf GTI has multilink suspension at both ends. It absorbs most of the road imperfections with minimum impact inside the cabin  

The 2023 Golf GTI is among the best in class is terms of driver-assist features and safety equipment. It comes with Volkswagen’s IQ Drive driver-assist suite that comprises of blind-spot monitoring, side-assist with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera, among others. The car is equipped with Volkswagen’s Front Assist system which is essentially the manufacturer’s branding for autonomous emergency braking.

The car is yet to be tested by the ASEAN NCAP.

How many airbags does the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI have? 

The car comes with four airbags. 

How many cameras does the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI have?

The hatchback comes with a single reverse parking camera. 

Value for money

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has traditionally commanded a premium over its competitors. At its current price of RM 246,000, without road tax and insurance, the car is value for money for buyers who want a bit more from a compact hatchback. It comes with a decent set of equipment and comfortable seats. While the cabin may appear rather plain, it’s also practical and that’ll appeal to a lot of people.   

Warranty

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI comes with a five-year, unlimited km warranty along with a three-year complimentary maintenance and five years of roadside assistance. Service intervals are at every 15,000km. Servicing the car at unauthorized centers will void warranty.

Are original spare parts of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI available in Malaysia?

All genuine spare parts of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI are available at the company’s workshops and service centers. 

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Mini 5-Door

The Mini 5-Door packs in a lot of power for a compact hatchback. Like the Golf GTI, it’s hauled by a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine but has a lower power output. The Mini 5-Door is known for its classic styling. It’s a lively car with a great engine. Drive and handling is easy. But its cabin is slightly cramped. Though it’s technically a five-passenger car, the Mini 5-Door is best suited for four passengers. At RM 271,388, the car is priced much higher than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.    

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs DS 5

The DS 5 is a segment competitor of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The former has earned praise for its great looks and a well-crafted interior. The ride quality is a bit on the firmer side because of a stiffer suspension. The DS 5 has great cabin space with five passengers able to travel in the best comfort. The 1.6-liter powertrain is decently powerful. The DS 5 is priced attractively at RM 198,888.

2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Mini Countryman

The Mini Countryman has its own fan following. Even though Mini cars are among the highest priced in the hot hatchback segment, their popularity hasn’t waned. The Counrtyman is equipped with a 2.0-liter petrol engine with a power output of 192PS. Unlike the Golf GTI, the Countryman’s cabin isn’t very spacious. The Golf GTI offers more raveling comfort than any other car in its class. The Mini Countryan has a starting price of RM 250,388.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI worth buying?

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI is an enjoyable car to drive. The current-generation isn’t dramatically different from the model it replaces. The changes are largely cosmetic. But it comes with a potent powertrain that’s comfortable to drive within the city. Handling is easy with not much effort involved. The Golf GTI boasts of a spacious cabin though the amenities are fairly limited. But Ride comfort has improved, courtesy the revised suspension tuning. It may not be the best car in its class but is certainly worth its price.