Test Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE 4-Door

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of those cars that I have always wanted to like, but find difficulty in doing so because there always seems to be some kind of major flaw that is difficult to overlook. When I had heard that an all new GTI was ready to make its debut, I was hesitant to get excited about it. After reading about the car though, I began to get more excited about it. Apparently, this is a car that is so good, Motor Trend magazine had named the latest generation of the Golf its "Car of the Year." As soon as my local Volkswagen dealer got a stock of manual equipped GTIs in its inventory, I headed over to see why Motor Trend enjoyed this car so much.

Test Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobhan Edition DSG

See how the Volkswagen GTI performed against its competitors in our Hot Hatch Comparison.

MSRP: $24,795
Price as Tested: $33,100

The Mk. I Volkswagen Golf GTI is widely considered to be the very first hot hatchback in automotive history. Since its introduction in 1974, the Golf GTI has gone on to spawn five more generations. 2013 marks the final year of the current Golf GTI, the Mk. VI. The version I test drove here is the most expensive model available for the GTI, the Autobahn edition, equipped with Volkswagen's six-speed DSG twin clutch transmission. The Autobahn edition comes standard with leather seats, bi-xenon HID headlamps, and basically every available option for the GTI, along with Autobahn exclusive 18" wheels. The Mk. VI GTI has been around for a while, but is it competitive with the new batch of hot hatches on the market? Does it live up to its Mk. I roots?