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The 2022 Golf GTI was named to the Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX list for the sixth year in a row.
“Volkswagen’s Golf GTI lands on our 2022 Wards list by fusing core hot-hatch styling, classic GTI identity and high-tech amenities and design cues into what is a relatively affordable package,” says David Zoia, WardsAuto editor and 10 Best judge.
The annual Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX competition evaluates new or heavily redesigned vehicle interiors and user-experience technology, with scoring based on a variety of metrics including design and aesthetics, comfort, materials, fit-and-finish, connectivity and infotainment, displays and controls, as well as advanced driver assist systems and value.
Interior Refinements
“The GTI’s iconic plaid seats, plus light-up door handles, multicolor ambient lighting and Digital Cockpit Pro make this car a winner,” says Christie Schweinsberg, editor and 10 Best judge.
Redesigned for 2022, the Golf GTI features an enthusiast-oriented cabin with premium materials and features, as well as an entirely new electronic architecture. The interior mirrors exterior design cues with red decorative seams and edging on every model, and honeycomb accents.
New, heated and bolstered front sports seats recall the first Golf GTI with their unique ergonomics, integrated head restraints, red stitching, and standard gray and black tartan “Scalepaper” style fabric on the seat and backrest areas.
SE models offer optional Vienna leather seating surfaces in two-tone black and gray with red accents, which are standard on Autobahn.
Cargo space behind the rear seats is 19.9 cubic feet and 34.5 cubic feet with backseats folded flat. Additional storage space for keeping valuables like money, jewelry or purse is available under the cargo floor.
Premium Materials
“We’re thrilled with this honor from WardsAuto,” says Hein Schafer, Senior Vice President at Volkswagen of America. “The previous Golf GTI was widely regarded as one of the best hot hatches you could buy, but the Mark 8 ups the ante with a new electronic architecture enabling a more connected experience top to bottom.”
The seat position, height of the golf-ball manual transmission shifter and the spacing between the pedals are fine-tuned for increased driver comfort. This driver-centric design is evident from the center stack, which is angled slightly toward the driver—a trait frequently seen in premium luxury and performance vehicles.
The Golf GTI Autobahn has a premium performance personality accentuated with black headliner, buttons that are backlit in white. The use of premium materials, soft-touch plastics throughout and brushed stainless-steel pedals are standard on all trims.
Lighting
Ambient lighting is standard on the Mk8 GTI and washes the interior with color. Thirty colors are selectable and illuminate the decorative trim in the dash and doors, storage compartments in the doors and center console, and the footwells.
Driver controls are positioned to help optimize ergonomics and usability. As an example, driving lights and defrost functions are operated using a shared “Light and Sight” digital panel to the left of the steering wheel.
Touch sliders are used below the infotainment display to adjust the standard Climatronic automatic climate control and to change audio volume. The Mk8 Golf GTI boasts a new heated multifunction sport steering wheel with touch controls for the Digital Cockpit, audio, and the standard partially-automated IQ.DRIVE® system.
The Autobahn model adds a head-up display, which is digitally projected onto the windshield, virtually floating in view of the driver.
Under the hood
The Golf GTI is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 241 hp and 273 Ib-ft of torque. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed direct shift gearbox transmission.
DSG utilizes a Start/Stop system that conserves fuel by shutting down the engine when a brake pedal is used and restarting the engine automatically when grip on the brake pedal is released.
When paired with the six-speed manual transmission, the 2022 Golf GTI delivers a fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The seven-speed direct shift gearbox transmission achieves 25 mpg/city and 34 mpg/highway.
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