EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Need a sport coupe that won''t beat you up during the weekday commute? This is it.
Pros
Potent R32 model, fun to drive, reasonably priced, lots of standard equipment, premium cabin materials, utility of hatchback design, available six-speed manual.
Cons
1.8T and VR6 models aren''t really suited for at-the-limit driving, dated styling.
What''s New for 2004
The 237-hp R32 makes its debut for 2004 complete with a six-speed manual transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive. The GTI sports restyled 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels. There''s also a new fuel cap warning light.
Overview
Introduction:
Back in 1983, the Volkswagen Rabbit GTI stormed onto the scene and created a new market segment: the hopped-up econohatchback. Powered by a feisty 90-horsepower, 1.8-liter fuel-injected inline four, the original GTI sported a five-speed manual gearbox, alloy wheels, full instruments, blackout trim, red accents and sport seats. With nimble handling and brisk performance (the car only weighed around 2,000 pounds), the Rabbit GTI was a hit with driving enthusiasts who appreciated the beauty of low mass and intelligent, efficient engineering. Of course, no one liked the high maintenance and repair costs associated with early GTIs, but fans claimed that once you found a good VW mechanic, you could reap the benefits of membership in an exclusive club. In 1985, the Rabbit was redesigned and renamed (in the U.S.) the Golf, and as before, a sporty GTI version was available. Subsequent years saw the GTI receive a 16-valve inline four and become more expensive. The GTI went on hiatus in 1993 and 1994, returning in 1995 with an even higher price but with a compact V6 (VR6, that is) stuffed under the hood. A weak-kneed GTI that had a lowly eight-valve, 115-horse inline four was offered in an effort to have a lower-priced (and lower-performance) GTI for the masses. In 2000, the GTI adopted the turbo 1.8-liter, inline four-cylinder engine (then rated at 150 hp) already used in the Passat and New Beetle. Unlike the old GTI, the more recent versions were out of reach for enthusiasts who lacked fat wallets. So in 2002, VW decided to restructure pricing and content. No longer do you find extras like leather, seat heaters and automatic climate control on the standard features list -- if you want this stuff, proceed to the options list. Of course, today''s GTIs still come with features like head curtain airbags that are unheard of in other sport coupes and hatchbacks. While unable to match the intensity of cars like the Toyota Celica GT-S, Acura RSX Type S or Mini Cooper S, the GTI is a good buy for enthusiastic drivers who need a fun car that can be driven day in and day out. New for 2004 is the R32 model. Technically a model unto itself, it offers blistering performance by way of a 3.2-liter VR6 engine coupled to VW''s 4Motion all-wheel drive system-- think of it as a GTI on steroids. The 1.8T and VR6 models receive new alloy wheel designs, and a new open fuel cap warning light has been added. After years of delay, VW''s version of OnStar is finally offered as an option.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
VW offers two GTI variants -- 1.8T and VR6. The 1.8T comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a full-size spare, height-adjustable sport seats, an eight-speaker CD stereo, a telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry with alarm, cruise control and power windows, locks and mirrors. The VR6 adds a bigger engine, 17-inch wheels (optional for the 1.8T) and a trip computer. Options for 1.8T and VR6 models include leather upholstery, a sunroof, seat heaters, Monsoon stereo and a six-CD changer. Automatic climate control is also available on the VR6.
Powertrains and Performance:
Engine choices are specific to each trim level. For starters, there''s the 180-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter inline four in the GTI 1.8T. Besides providing a broad torque band, the 1.8T is lightweight and well suited to the GTI''s chassis. It''s available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Next up is the smooth 2.8-liter VR6 good for 200 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque; a six-speed manual is the only transmission choice. Those yearning for even more power are advised to check out the new 237-hp R32 model, covered under a separate report.
Safety:
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control and side and head curtain airbags are standard on all GTIs. Stability control is optional on the 1.8T and standard on the VR6. As the GTI is a performance version of the Golf hatchback, the latter''s crash test scores apply here: the NHTSA gave the Golf a perfect five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impact crash tests. The IIHS gave the Golf an "Acceptable" rating in frontal offset crash testing.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Each GTI''s cabin has a premium feel that you won''t find in comparably priced sport coupes and hatchbacks. Interior materials are high in quality, and everything is assembled with care. The height-adjustable seats are roomy with plenty of bolstering to keep you in place on spirited drives. With the 60/40-split rear seat in use, the hatch provides 18 cubic feet of capacity; 41.8 with the seat folded down.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The GTI 1.8T and VR6 ride on a sport-tuned version of the Golf''s independent front strut/rear torsion beam suspension. In practice, all GTIs strike a pleasant balance between everyday ride comfort and agile, responsive handling on curvy roads. While the GTIs do boast a unique German feel, they don''t have quite the crisp nature of some of their Japanese competitors. The 1.8T has the best front-to-rear weight balance, mainly due to its lighter engine, making for a more agile demeanor. The smooth VR6 is tough to pass up, though.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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