VW Golf GTI Named Popular Mechanics ‘Hatchback Of The Year’

For the second year in a row, Volkswagen's popular Golf GTI has been named Popular Mechanics' “Hatchback of the Year.” The hatchback received the award as part of the magazine's 2019 Automotive Excellence awards. The awards honor advances in automotive technology.

’Reference Point’ For A Genre

Calling the GTI, “the reference point for the genre it created,” Ezra Dyer, automotive editor for the magazine, joked that “if a GTI doesn't make you smile, your face is broken.”
Scott Keogh, president and chief exec of the Volkswagen Group of America (VWoA), said that “awards like this validate the consistency of the Golf GTI in delivering unmatched quality and performance at a competitive price point.” The VW executive said that the company is “honored for GTI to be named two years running in the Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence awards.”

Available in four trims – the S, SE, and Autobahn, plus the limited-edition GTI Rabbit Edition – all models now come with 228-horsepower four-cylinder engines. Drivers have to use premium gasoline to achieve the horsepower rating, the company says. The GTI Rabbit Special Edition fits between the S and SE trims and looks to the GTI heritage. The equipment also includes Golf R brakes and the VAQ electrically controlled limited-slip differential.

S Model Gets New Optional Safety Package

A driver safety package, called the Driver Assistance Package, is now available as an option on the S model. Available equipment includes Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert. These features are standard on the rest of the lineup. The SE features new standard equipment that includes leather upholstery and a new Experience Package which offers Fender® Premium Audio and DCC® adaptive damping.

Every Golf GTI comes with VW's innovative People First Warranty, the industry's Best Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty. The transferrable warranty provides coverage for six years or 72,000-miles (whichever occurs first). Because any remaining term on the warranty can be transferred to a new owner, it has become a real used-car selling point. Prices start at $27,595 for the 2019 Golf GTI S with six-speed manual transmission.

Features In Popular Mechanics

The May edition of Popular Mechanics features information on the magazine's Automotive Excellence Awards program. The magazine is on sale now. For more information on the Popular Mechanics 2019 Automotive Excellence awards, please visit the Popular Mechanics award website.

Source: Volkswagen