Volkswagen GTI named Automobile Magazine car of the year
2010 Volkswagen GTI - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's funny how publications have a personality. It shouldn't be funny, as obviously all publications have an editor and said editor has a collection of likes and dislikes, but we still find it amusing. Here's a for instance. This year, our pals over at Motor Trend went ahead and named the Subaru Outback their Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year. Besides the obvious issue (a jacked up station wagon counts as an SUV?), this selection makes perfect sense considering that in 2008, the Subaru Forester won the same award. Funny, huh?
Therefore, it should surprise no one that Automobile has named the 2010 Volkswagen GTI their Automobile of the Year. Why? Because they did the same thing back in 2007. Really? Yeah, man... really. Only this time, we're not sure how ha ha funny we find this selection. It's more funny odd. For one thing, the 2010 GTI really isn't all that different than the 2007 GTI. Same powerplant, same suspension, same hard points. All that's really new are some body panels and an electronic differential, the latter of which is suspect during sustained, high-speed back country driving.
All that said, the new GTI is a fine car – we said so ourselves a few months back. However, we just don't see it as COTY material. In fact, if we were to select a single car to shower praise down upon... we're not even sure where we'd start. Some of us (ahem) would no doubt push for the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 because for the money it just can't be beat (or for that matter, for twice the money). Still others would pick... the Ford Fusion Hybrid. So what do we know? Oh wait, two of us are on the Internet Car of the Year jury...
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen GTI
[Source: Automobile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
CDN Crockett 10:52AM (11/11/2009)
YES! Good job yet again VW!
And I'll take two please.
Reply
ropeburn 8:58AM (11/11/2009)
I'm not sure what they base COTY on
but by the numbers VW is doing very well...
sales are pretty strong.
they've kept on top of the hot hatch segment
as many imitators have come along.
The GTI is a fun drive with great useable space
for everyday use. The diesel golf.... is a pretty great thing for the
green folks but I'm not sure if that factors into
the GTI winning COTY.
Are there people out there that don't like the car?
maybe COTY is figured out by what you don't like
and I can't think of much not to like about the GTI.
Axel 11:42AM (11/11/2009)
Yes, agreed. Very worthy coty. Don't know about these harsh comments by the editor here at autoblog, but overall the MK VI Golf is _much_ improved compared to the MK V, so is the GTI (interior layout and quality, ride, nice new options, etc.).
Currently I drive a 2007 BMW 5-series but I'm seriously considering the new MK VI GTI as my next car - because it's so good (I've driven one for half an hour). The BMW is the better car - no doubt - but the GTI is more fun overall.
ripiopower 12:58PM (11/11/2009)
Not a VW fan but they are indeed doing well and have the best hatch -- this is the only hatch that beside the great performance that she offers, she will also has the best fashion design ( interior and exterior ).
Great job VW''''''''
I love JDM but If I change It will be this one''''
Chris 3:25PM (11/11/2009)
Hey Axel....I have some news for ya....there is no way your 5-Series is a better car. NOT EVEN CLOSE. The BMW 5 Series that you are driving is, by far, BMW's least reliable car and one of the most unreliable cars produced in 2007....right along side VW's Touareg. Seriously....everyone knows this!!!
Although, I do give you credit for wanting out of it in favor of the GTI.
Robert Andrews 11:04PM (11/11/2009)
I thought of VW like my old air cooled bug from back in the 60's, until I drove one of the new ones, VW makes some nice cars now, fast and well equipped, I bought one. I love it.
Axel 3:06PM (11/12/2009)
@Chris: had no single issue with the 5 series so far, absolutely zero.
Bobmarley 8:40AM (11/11/2009)
There are too many variables and segments etc to pin down a single COTY award for one car...there's just too much personal preference that goes into this
there are those who despise the tiny GTI and others who obviously love it
how about a TOTY and SCOTY award
Reply
Chase 12:19PM (11/11/2009)
If the GTI is "tiny," so are the 3 series, CTS, and IS. The GTI has similar cabin proportions. Its not a tiny car at all.
zamafir 12:34PM (11/11/2009)
@Chase
Sure it is. It's just an example of an intelligently engineered car. The GTI is 15 shorter than the IS and 3 series (over 2 feet shorter than the CTS), has more head room front and rear, more leg room front and rear (than the 3 series and IS, on par about with the CTS), about the same shoulder room, and a shorter wheel base than any of the cars mentioned. It’s also taller taking the guess work out of that headroom.
It’s quite simply a phenomenally packaged car, capable of swallowing 6’ passengers in the back with ease and considering your comments… it kind of begs the question of why the cars you mentioned can’t do more to provide better cabin proportions to occupants… and it’s not simply a height thing, the X6 of all cars has about equal interior space to the GTI.
Bobmarley 2:02PM (11/11/2009)
I should have put "tiny" in quotations... I love the GTi, I had an MK2 in college which seems to get better in my memories as i age (if that makes sense). I will probably have to wait till the kids move out before i buy my R20
Chris 8:52AM (11/11/2009)
After actually reading their reasons for selecting it, I agree with them. For the money, I can't think of a better all-around vehicle. It's sporty, practical, compact, and comfortable. Makes sense if you can have only one car that needs to play a lot of different roles. Sure there are faster, sleeker, sportier rides out there, but there aren't many cars that can sing more than one tune. The GTI can.
Maybe the tide is turning and Americans are starting to realize the value hatchbacks and wagons offer...
Reply
zamafir 10:02AM (11/11/2009)
yup, that's pretty much it. the GTI, R32 and forthcoming Golf R aren't one trick ponies, they simply handle everything with a refinement and interior quality unrivaled anywhere within their price range. I've yet to sample the MkVI, but from speaking with automotive journalists who have, I understand it's a bigger improvement than you'd expect. It also doesn't hurt that it's a lot more accessible to most than a mustang with a billion hp.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:19AM (11/11/2009)
The R32 was most definitely a one trick pony. It adds grip at a lot of cost and weight, and the engine doesn't even really maximize what the drivetrain can bring anyway.
zamafir 11:54AM (11/11/2009)
Meh, agree to disagree. I have yet to find a car which manages to track as well and travel 1000+ miles in a single day as well for what it sold for. It does everything the GTI does and more. I'm not entirely sure how adding more power, awd, and increasing acceleration diminish all the characteristics which make the GTi a swiss army knife. The R32 is quicker around the track, quicker in a straight line, and accepts even more abuse than the GTI. Then again I do have both parked in the garage, have tracked both cars extensively, and road tripped both cars extensively. so I may have a bit different take on it after two years of ownership and 25,000 miles each then the casual observer.
Dave 8:57AM (11/11/2009)
Gawd, those wheels are FUGLY.
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fixitfixitstop 9:06AM (11/11/2009)
If I had a dime for every time I've seen that comment here....
Apparently the customers must disagree because it's the same wheels used on the last GTI.
Dave 9:16AM (11/11/2009)
I'll keep saying it everytime I see that pic.
They are ugly....I don't care if 2 people think they look good. The reality is, they are FUGLY.
Jon 9:44AM (11/11/2009)
I must be weird then, because I love them. At first I wasn't crazy about them, but they definitely grew on me pretty quickly.
zamafir 10:04AM (11/11/2009)
I'm not sure why dave's getting voted down, having slapped huf's on a plat gray jetta 2.0T (chipped of course) I whole heartily agree. They simply don't jive with the new, more angular body style.