Volkswagen Golf GTI continues its legacy to finish eighth at MOTOR’s Sports Car of the Year 2022

Beware the quiet man. Eighth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI finishes eighth in MOTOR’s Sports Car of the Year 2022.

On the face of it, eighth out of 10 SCOTY contenders seems like a disappointing result for the Volkswagen Golf GTI but if I had to choose one of the contenders to buy with my own hard-earned, the Mk8 GTI would be numero uno. Why? Because it does very little wrong, so much right and is so beautifully discreet. It’s always presentable. Although Luffy complained that the Golf GTI had grown up and got a bit boring, there are layers to this car that are both intriguing and rewarding to uncover.

Both on road and on track, it loved being driven hard, and while its limits were probably made a little hazy by the unspectacular Bridgestone Potenza S005 rubber, it rewarded a precise, disciplined driving style. The different driving modes are cleverly calibrated with huge bandwidth and no fewer than 15 different suspension settings available.

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So why didn’t it do better? In truth, the highs of some of the more extrovert cars here created a more durable impression but I’d occasionally have to question whether that’s a plus or a minus in an everyday driver. It takes talent to do so much so well.

There’s real thought that’s gone into the Golf; whether it’s the delightful wheel-mounted paddles that seem moulded to your fingers or the driving position that, even with an electrically adjustable seat, can sit you low and connected with the car’s fulcrum. The Golf GTI is truly a car that anybody can drive and enjoy.

The touchscreen infotainment and the elevated price of the Golf have drawn criticism, but I’m substantively offended by neither. Most of the aspects that journalists complain about, such as how involved it is to switch off the ESC, aren’t generally concerns for typical owners and as for value, this GTI feels virtually as capable as a Golf R of yore and delivers a richer feature set.

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The capacitive touch pads on the dash and steering wheel are an issue though. Grab the wheel at nine-and-three and those with larger hands may well find themselves turning down the volume with their left hand and switching on the heated steering wheel with their right. Time for a rethink there.

Quick, composed but not especially playful, most judges got out of the GTI with renewed respect. The fact that it was more than two seconds quicker around Phillip Island than the pricier and equally powerful BMW 128ti demonstrated the difference between a fundamentally well-sorted hot hatch and a one that needs to have a bit of a think about itself.

Eighth might not seem much of an achievement for the GTI Mk VIII, but make no mistake, this is a very good iteration of Volkswagen’s quiet achiever and one that earns a solid recommendation from us.

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The judges’ comments

Alex Affat

“You’ll find that the GTI’s ceiling is always higher than you expect it to be. That really showed on track.”

Ranking: 7th

Andy Enright

“Want the best-presented hot hatch that $54k will buy? Choose the Golf GTI. Nothing comes close.”

Ranking: 8th

Trent Giunco

“One of the easiest and most confidence-inspiring cars here to drive fast on road. Ride is excellent.”

Ranking: 8th

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Cameron Kirby

“The Golf’s focused more on the everyday, perhaps to the detriment of the highs of pure dynamic ability.”

Ranking: 8th

Bernie Quinn

“It grew on me throughout PCOTY. Engine has a nice strong top end, but a soft response to throttle input.”

Ranking: 8th

Luffy’s view

“The GTI does so much right but it doesn’t have the exuberant edge it once had.”

The key figures