The 2010 Volkswagen GTI remains one of the the sportiest small hatchbacks on the market today.
But along with that sporty little package, you also get pretty good fuel economy and even a dash of practicality.
Starting on the inside, you get a dashboard layout that upholds VW's reputation for building neatly arranged consoles full of quality materials.
The touch-screen interface for the stereo is standard, even without the optional navigation system, and you get an iPod portal as well.
The climate controls are high-end, easy to use and well-placed.
The back seating area is spacious for such a small car, able to accommodate fully grown humans.
VW says the trunk is 15.3 cubic feet, which again is pretty good for a car this size, and it surely can hold a nice collection of everyday items that you might be toting (grocery bags, briefcases, gym bags).
But it's on the road where you can really let the GTI show its chops.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine makes a stout 200 horsepower and is linked to either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic Direct Shift Gearbox.
Fuel economy, according to EPA, is 21-24 mpg city, 31-32 mpg highway.
When you are on a fun, twisty road, the GTI lets you enjoy yourself to the max, with its ability to take corners aggressively.
The GTI is a front-wheel-drive machine that drives like a rear-wheeler.
But this also isn't one of those small cars that is fun when you are in performance mode, but harsh when you're doing your everyday driving.
Rather, it has excellent manners, giving you a nice smooth ride when you're headed to the mall or the post office.
Safety features are abundant, such as six airbags, electronic stability control, antilock brakes and optional rear-side airbags.
VW says that one new feature for this model year is the electronic limited-slip differential, which aids in traction when you are coming out of a curve (and contributes to that rear-wheel-drive feeling).
Not only is this a nice touch for performance, it's also good for safety.
Pricing for the GTI is reasonable, especially at the lower ends, with stickers ranging from about $24,000 to almost $32,700 for a fully loaded four-door.
Plus, you get three years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance.
That should ease the minds of those who are leery of VW's reliability ratings, which in the past left something to be desired but have improved in recent years.
The GTI's package of sportiness, fuel economy and practicality make for a nice entry in the small-car market.
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