Long-term test review: Volkswagen Golf GTI (mk7, 2015) - pictures

After a long stint on the Auto Express fleet, our Volkswagen Golf GTI is leaving... but not if our man can help it.

Few cars can match the all-round appeal of the GTI. No other model so effortlessly matches your mood or situation.

Upmarket cabin is full of kit, while the large steering wheel is a joy to use. Typical GTI features are present, as they have been in every generation.

Roomy door bins are one of many practical interior touches.

Tartan-trimmed seats look the part and cleverly hide Isofix child seat mountings, making the Golf ideal as a family car.

Since switch from these Pirelli winter tyres to summer rubber, the Golf has handled even better over the past few months.

It's difficult to fault the Golf GTI, but its auto hold function is rather slow to react, making pulling away a bit jerky.

To celebrate the Golf GTI's 40th birthday, we brought the original Mk1 along to meet our Mk7 long-termer. 

Our Golf GTI (complete with Performance Pack) has around twice as much power as the 1983 Mk1 in our pictures, but you can't ignore the original's character. 

GTI badge has changed very little over 40 years. 

What really marked the GTI out as special was the brilliant handling. Wheel-at-each-corner stance, lowered and stiffened suspension and wider, lower-profile tyres helped the Golf corner with a poise that left traditional sports cars tr

40 years on, the current Golf GTI still carries the spirit of the original car. It's fast and fun, usable every day and practical enough for most families. 

Even today, the original keeps up with modern traffic, and it's only the unassisted steering and alarming lack of stopping power betray its age. 

The current GTI could be all the car you ever need; offering pace, poise, luxury, comfort and practicality all in one package. 

The Mk1 Golf GTI is a very different place to sit in compared with the current version. 

The Mk7's dash scores on quality and tech, but it carries over the original's golf ball gearstick. 

The current GTI also scores on family appeal, with the iconic tartan-trimmed rear seats hiding Isofix child seat mountings. 

While our model has the £535 optional Dynaudio stereo, we can't access playlists when we try to stream music from our phone via Bluetooth. 

"Our VW Golf now has a racy soundtrack to match its performance, but winter tyres have spoiled handling pleasure." 

Once we fit summer tyres to our Golf, its handling panache will return. On winter rubber, it struggles in fast corners. 

VW's classy cabin is full of equipment, while its chunky steering wheel is a joy to use. 

Rear seats are comfortable and there's plenty of space. 

Split-folding rear seats can be folded to increase boot capacity from 380 to a generous 1,270 litres. 

Powerful hi-fi already sounds great - and you can also customise which speakers are active to create best sound for any or all occupants. 

Dynaudio stereo is a £535 option, and its eight-speaker set-up is a treat for the ears. Smartphone sync doesn't work through touchscreen, though. 

As winter starts to bite, having winter tyres fitted to our Golf means it's ready for anything. 

We've found our Golf GTI to be just the job for long-distance touring abroad. 

In our second report, we're finding our Golf is teaching us a few lessons. 

1st report: The iconic VW Golf GTI is handling the weight of expectation well. 

The seventh-gen Golf GTI is the fastest, most refined and practical version yet. 

A standard Golf GTI weighs in at around £27,000, while our car is even more expensive thanks to the £995 Performance Pack. 

VW Golf GTI

VW Golf GTI

VW Golf GTI