An utterly brilliant hot hatch

Although the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI is a natural rival to both Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia vRS, the latest VW Golf GTI is a natural rival to both of these cars. Given, it is a lot more expensive to buy especially where an equivalent five-door model will cost the buyer 26,500 Pounds, however, if you can find those extra few thousands pounds, it is definitely worth considering.

No other hot hatch blends such as easy going nature with a propely entertaining drive. Ride quality is exceptional, yet the GTI somehow still manages to keep body sway nearly in check along twisting B-roads. It matches the Focus ST for agility, while featuring less nervous and twitchy on the limit.

 True, the Ford has sharper steering and a slightly livelier chassis, but the GTI is almost as fast in a straight line and transfers its power to the road with less fuss. Better still, the GTI has a seriously classy cabin by hot hatch standards, and comes better equipped than rivals. You can also get climate control, xenon headlights, a DAB radio, an iPod dock, adaptive cruise control, city emergency braking and front and rear parking sensors.

 The other feature called the Performance Pack is worth more of a look, because it adds limited slip-differential and bigger brakes. The differential certainly helps the GTI claws its way out of slow corners more effectively, but if you are looking for a seriously hardcore hot hatch, you would be better off with a Renault Megane 265 Cup. 

While it is far from cheap to buy, it is remarkably affordable to run. Average fuel economy of 47.1mpg means it is as efficient as rivals from the class below, including Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208GTI; although it is yet to be verified if that claim is backed up in real-world driving.

 Carbon dioxide emission of just 139g/km will be of particular interest to company car drivers, because they mean the Golf GTI attracts lower company car tax bills (not in Nigeria) than similarly sized rivals. To top it all off, the Golf is predicted to hold onto its value better than any of its hot hatch competitors. So assuming you can afford the extra outlay in the first place, you will actually lose money in depreciation. All things considered, then, the latest GTI is an utterly brilliant hot hatch.

MIKE OCHONMA