JHF
Driving Dynamics Pro
Legends of the Cedar Falls: Two affordable performance icons on our favorite affordable Ohio roads.
http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...ng-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-4
Vs C&D - 2015 Subaru WRX vs. 2015 Volkswagen GTI
- Thread starter JHF
- Start date
Legends of the Cedar Falls: Two affordable performance icons on our favorite affordable Ohio roads.
http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...ng-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-4
martinbo
Staff member
An interesting test.
I harangued my dealer for a WRX test drive and I was practically blown away. This new WRX is genuinely delightful to drive. My favourite aspect being its traffic circle (roundabout) manners; the car rotates so benignly on a trailing throttle or mid-corner lift that it's almost un-Subaru-like for us 90's and 00's aficionados. The cable-link gearshift isn't the last word in tactility or precision but it's good enough. Brake feel is excellent - how can C&D mark it down over the notoriously over-servoed GTI's brakes I'd don't know - and heel 'n toe is just a cinch. Electric steering - accurate enough but like most of its kind, lacking in true feel. So handling is fantastic. Ride? 7 out of 10 according to C&D sounds on the mark but the GTI with 10 out of 10? Sounds suspicious to me.
What's very intriguing for me is the mark-down of the WRX for boot space. According to their specs the WRX is 12 cubic feet (339 liters - no it's not it's 460 litres) and the GTI's is 23 cubic feet (560 liters! - no it's not it's just 380 liters) and I wonder where the research assistants get their numbers from. So, a big mark-down for the WRX in an area where it is clearly superior - in my market at least.
Make no mistake, the GTI is a wonderful car - it ought to win this test from an all-round perspective. I just can't help but feel that scores were "engineered" to give the GTI such a clear advantage. Which one would I take? The AWD WRX every time. Dynamically, you just have more options.
I harangued my dealer for a WRX test drive and I was practically blown away. This new WRX is genuinely delightful to drive. My favourite aspect being its traffic circle (roundabout) manners; the car rotates so benignly on a trailing throttle or mid-corner lift that it's almost un-Subaru-like for us 90's and 00's aficionados. The cable-link gearshift isn't the last word in tactility or precision but it's good enough. Brake feel is excellent - how can C&D mark it down over the notoriously over-servoed GTI's brakes I'd don't know - and heel 'n toe is just a cinch. Electric steering - accurate enough but like most of its kind, lacking in true feel. So handling is fantastic. Ride? 7 out of 10 according to C&D sounds on the mark but the GTI with 10 out of 10? Sounds suspicious to me.
What's very intriguing for me is the mark-down of the WRX for boot space. According to their specs the WRX is 12 cubic feet (339 liters - no it's not it's 460 litres) and the GTI's is 23 cubic feet (560 liters! - no it's not it's just 380 liters) and I wonder where the research assistants get their numbers from. So, a big mark-down for the WRX in an area where it is clearly superior - in my market at least.
Make no mistake, the GTI is a wonderful car - it ought to win this test from an all-round perspective. I just can't help but feel that scores were "engineered" to give the GTI such a clear advantage. Which one would I take? The AWD WRX every time. Dynamically, you just have more options.
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
...and here the GTI lost to a Cooper S
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/m...-vs-golf-gti-family-firecrackers-fight-it-out
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/m...-vs-golf-gti-family-firecrackers-fight-it-out
I saw a new WRX last week over here and I was impressed by its new looks, the front has a little bit of Audiness to the lights shape, it looks alot more sophisticated than the previous shape. I haven't yet been in one or driven it yet, but plan to do that sometime soon. My favourite Impreza is the WRX/STI from early to mid 2000's after that facelift that got rid of the ugly round lights, what an awesome car to drive. The STI had ballistic performance and pin sharp handling and great exhaust sound and hip hugging sports seats. Would love to drive the new car to compare
Similar threads
