2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

With the increasing competition in Malaysia's C-segment hatchback market, young families and performance enthusiasts are beginning to look for models that combine everyday practicality with driving pleasure. The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, as an iconic representative of this segment, once again becomes the focus of the market with its 245PS turbocharged power, 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and rich intelligent features. This test drive will focus on its static design details, dynamic driving performance, and everyday usability, providing consumers with an authentic reference.

In terms of appearance, the Golf GTI continues the family-style sporty design with clean and sharp overall lines. The front end features a black honeycomb grille with a continuous red trim, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, offering high recognition. On the side, the combination of 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/40 R18 tires enhances its sporty stance; the waistline extends from the front fender to the rear, echoing the red trim on the side skirt to create a lowered visual effect. At the rear, the dual round exhaust layout, smoked LED taillights, and small-sized spoiler further emphasize its performance attributes.

Sitting inside the vehicle, the interior is predominantly black, accented with red stitching, creating an atmosphere that combines sportiness and sophistication. The dashboard adopts a layered design, with the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display seamlessly connected to the fully digital instrument cluster, ensuring smooth operation. The air conditioning control area retains some physical buttons for ease of blind operation while driving. In terms of materials, the armrests on the door panels and the upper part of the dashboard are wrapped in soft-touch materials, providing a comfortable feel. Regarding features, standard equipment includes keyless entry, 12-way power-adjustable front seats with memory function, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear air conditioning vents, highlighting its practicality.

The space performance meets the positioning of a C-segment vehicle, with a wheelbase of 2,627mm providing ample seating space in both front and rear rows. A passenger with a height of 175cm can sit in the front row with one fist of headroom and ample legroom; rear passengers also get one fist of legroom and about three fingers of headroom, meeting the daily needs of a family. The trunk has a capacity of 374L, and the rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding design with pass-through functionality, offering flexibility for carrying large items. Additionally, there are multiple storage compartments inside the vehicle, including a central armrest box, door panel storage slots, and front cup holders, which make storing small items convenient.

In terms of power, the 2.0T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum power of 245PS and maximum torque available at 1,600rpm. It is paired with a 7-speed DCT transmission, enabling an official 0-100km/h acceleration in just 6.3 seconds. During actual driving, the power response is quick at the start, with minimal turbo lag. When the accelerator is pressed harder, the mid-to-late acceleration remains strong, making overtaking easy. Switching to sport mode makes the transmission's shifting logic more aggressive, with quicker downshifts, thereby enhancing driving pleasure.

The handling and chassis performance are commendable. The combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned to prioritize sporty handling while maintaining comfort. During cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, the steering is precise with minimal slack. On bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out fine vibrations, retaining a certain road feel while ensuring passenger comfort. The braking system features ventilated discs at the front and rear, offering linear pedal feedback and stable braking force.

In terms of fuel consumption, the measured fuel consumption under mixed road conditions is about 7.5L/100km, slightly higher than the official claim of 7L, but considering the 2.0T power output, the performance is within a reasonable range. Noise control performs outstandingly, with good suppression of wind noise and tire noise during high-speed driving. Only during hard acceleration will engine noise enter the cabin, but it is not intrusive. The seats have strong wrapping support, making long-duration seating less fatiguing, further enhancing driving and riding comfort.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2022 Golf GTI lie in its powerful performance, solid chassis tuning, rich configurations, and spacious interior. Compared to competitors in the same class, its 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and sporty tuning are significant highlights. It is suitable for consumers who value driving pleasure while needing to cater to family use. Whether for daily commutes or short weekend trips, this car can deliver a balanced performance. For young families or performance enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance and practicality, the Golf GTI is a worthy choice.