2014 Volkswagen GTI review

1. Plenty of cargo space 

The hatchback design of the 2014 GTI means you get plenty of cargo space. There’s 15.2 cu-ft to play with, which is plenty for road trip luggage, sports equipment, or weekly groceries. If you need more, though, you can fold the standard 60/40-split rear seats to open up a total of 46 cu-ft. This means you can carry ski gear, haul DIY materials, or even help friends on moving day. 

2. Compact footprint 

As a hatchback, the 2014 Volkswagen GTI has a small footprint that makes it very maneuverable. This makes it a great choice if you live in a suburban area and regularly need to travel downtown or navigate tight parking lots. Inside, this doesn’t impact space too much as in the front you’ll still get 41.2 inches of legroom. Space in the back seats is a little more limited at 35.5 inches but it’s enough for adults on short journeys. 

3. Balanced engine 

The 2014 Volkswagen GTI has a 2.0L turbocharged engine that’s good for 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This gives you a nice balance between punchy performance and fuel economy. It’ll get an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined, but can still manage a sprint of zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds with the DSG transmission (according to the manufacturer).

4. Fun to drive 

This is a performance-focused hatchback that's a lot of fun to drive while retaining a cooling air of sophistication at the same time. It comes standard with a manual transmission, which gives you an engaging driving experience but the available automated manual transmission is best for exploiting every ounce of fun from the punch turbo engine. All 2014 models have four-corner independent sport suspension and the XDS^® cross differential system for improved traction and handling. 

5. Lots of features 

With a sophisticated design, this fun little turbo is full of great features. The base Wolfsburg Edition has a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth^® phone and audio connectivity, air conditioning, heated sports seats, and more. The Driver’s Edition adds a few extra touches such as a touchscreen audio interface, navigation, and a sunroof.