VW Golf GTI Edition 35
New special edition improves already very capable package
The Edition 35 was launched to mark 35 years of the most famous hot hatch of all and is the fastest and most powerful VW Golf GTI yet. So is it good enough to live up to the legend and beat the new Focus ST?
With unique skirts plus a more aggressive front bumper and air intake, it certainly looks the part. Black mirror housings, LED running lights and subtle Edition 35 badging further distinguish it from the normal GTI. And while it’s clearly more distinctive than the standard car, the Golf still looks classier and more grown-up than the Ford or Renault.
It’s a similar story inside, where sporty detailing blends seamlessly with the quality and functionality of the standard Golf cabin. The driving position and steering wheel are both perfect, while in a nod to the original GTI, there’s a dimpled ‘golf ball’ gearlever for both the manual gearbox and the £1,350 optional dual-clutch DSG transmission.
Even better, compared to the complicated mix of screens and controls in the Focus, the Golf’s straightforward dash is refreshing, while rear passenger space is much better than in the three-door Renault. Factor in the well shaped 350-litre boot and the five-door GTI is a practical choice.
Used - available now
2021 Ford
Focus
68,868 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £8,500
2018 MINI
3-Door Hatch
47,000 milesManualPetrol1.5L
Cash £9,499
2023 Land Rover
Range Rover Evoque
51,976 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L
Cash £18,920
2023 Mercedes
EQC
51,988 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £23,920Still, it’s the driving experience that really counts, and here the battle with the new Ford and racy Renault gets tougher. But the Edition 35 has a few tricks up its sleeve. VW hasn’t uprated the standard GTI’s 2.0-litre turbo. Instead, the Edition 35 uses a detuned version of the 267bhp 2.0-litre turbo from the Golf R. Yet despite having 232bhp and 300Nm of torque, it can’t match the punch of its rivals.
The slick-shifting DSG box of our test car helps boost the Edition 35’s 0-60mph time to 6.4 seconds – a tenth of a second quicker than both the Ford and Renault. And while in-gear performance isn’t quite as strong, there’s a lovely warble from the exhaust on upshifts and a crisp blip on the way down.
Like the regular GTI, the Edition 35 sits 15mm lower than a normal Golf, and it rides well, soaking up bumps better than the Renault. Adaptive Chassis Control magnetic dampers (£805) further improve comfort.
Yet the GTI’s grown-up personality doesn’t come at the expense of handling: body control is good, while the steering is direct and well weighted. The standard electronic limited-slip differential does a good job of minimising understeer and ensuring decent traction at the exit of tight corners.
Comfortable yet engaging, the VW Golf GTI Edition 35 is a very likeable and capable hot hatch, but it costs £4,335 more than the faster, sharper and more comfortable Ford.
It has higher CO2 emissions, too, making it a costly company car choice. And even if you opt for the less pricey manual version, it’s still the most expensive car in this test.
Yet for all that, it’s hard not to be seduced by the Golf GTI’s blend of high quality, classy style and day-to-day usability, while strong residual values make it a sound long-term investment. So is that enough to secure victory against such talented opposition?
Details
Chart position: 2
WHY: The most famous hot hatch of all, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is the benchmark for style, usability and quality. Edition 35 trim gives it 232bhp and sharper looks.
