Interior

The interior of the Volkswagen Golf GTI gives you luxury features that you might expect from a Mercedes or a Lexus. Here are just a few of the surprising yet standard features:

• Ambient interior lighting
• Height adjustable, power reclined heated front seats
• Volkswagen's hallmark cloth upholstery
• Heated mirrors
• Cooled glovebox
• Tilted and telescoping leather wrapped steering wheel

Technology

Features on the Golf GTI are quite extensive and include the following:

• 6.5" touchscreen
• Rearview camera
• Connectivity to Bluetooth
• 8 speaker sound system with CD player and aux input and USB port
• HD and satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and Android Auto with Car-Net App Connect

The Sport package adds 10 hp to the base engine along with a mechanical front differential with a limited slip. You get larger rear and front brakes, keyless ignition and xenon headlights.

The SE trim gives you automatic headlights, full leather, an upgrade to Fender premium audio, and a sunroof.

The Autobahn trim on the Golf GTI takes the technology of the model to a new level with adjustable suspension dampers. It also includes a stabilizer bar in the rear, a 10 way power driver seat, climate control with automated dual zone controls, and a two way power lumbar for the driver's seat. You may also take advantage of the optional Driver Assistance upgrade. This adds high beam headlight control, parking sensors for the rear and front of the car, auto parallel parking, a rearview mirror with auto-dimming and lane departure warning features.

Performance

The engine for the 2017 Volkswagen golf GTI does not disappoint. The base specs are still on par with its previous iterations and its competition:

• 210 hp (Sport trim gives 10 more hp)
• 258 lb-ft of torque
• 2.0 L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine
• Six speed manual/automatic
• Limited slip differential that responds to torque in real time
• 6.4 second 0-60 time
• 28 mpg combined fuel economy (24 mpg city/34 mpg highway)

Safety

The Golf GTI provides the following safety features:

• Side curtain airbags
• Review parking camera
• Traction and stability control
• Antilock disc breaks
• Post-crashbraking system

There are additional safety features that come with the higher trims, including a forward collision warning system, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and emergency braking with the SE Driver Assistance upgrade. You also get rear and front parking systems with the Audubon Driver Assistance upgrade.

The telematics system for the Golf GTI also gives you roadside assistance, geo-fencing, stolen vehicle location, automatic crash notification and remote vehicle access. The Golf GTI is still considered one of the safest hatchback vehicles in its class.

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