Volkswagen’s resident hot hatch gets a mild refresh this year, although it's an almost exclusively visual one. The 2010 Volkswagen GTI two- or four-door hatchback is still powered by the same 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine, although with a 10-hp bump, with your choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The GTI has been continually praised as the best-handling front-wheel-drive vehicle on the market, and Volkswagen has done nothing to ruin things in this latest iteration.
With a new front valence, fenders, and rocker sills, the entire exterior has been designed to give the car a decidedly lower, more athletic and aggressive profile. This also improves aerodynamics and supposedly efficiency, although with VW recommending premium-grade gasoline, don’t expect to save money at the pump. The interior gets a similar refresh, and while the upscale attempt has been well-received, especially in comparison with rivals like the Civic and MAZDA3, complaints have been heard about an overly complicated navigation system and instrument coloring that makes reading difficult.
Still, the refresh has been rated an improvement overall, especially considering Volkswagen didn’t mess with some of the GTI’s best features - comfortable and supportive heated sport buckets (with the VW-specific Interlagos plaid upholstery), coupled with interior head- and legroom that can satisfy even 6-footers. The base stereo is a 6-CD unit that is satellite radio ready and comes with an adapter for any digital-media interface. The hatchback makes for easy loading, of race equipment we have to assume, due to a low and wide opening. The split-folding rear seats do not fold flat however, which is a bit of a disappointment. Entry and exit for the rear seats is doable in the 4-door and a challenge in the 2-door, although once inside, space is ample.
Lots of changes have been made to improve the handling of the GTI over the years, most notably the switch from a live rear axle to the current fully independent suspension. Whereas enthusiasts used to brag about the vehicle’s ability - or was that tendency? - to lift an inside wheel during hard cornering, Volkswagen has done much to produce the same feel without the same dangerous result. A big part of this process is utilizing an electronic transverse differential lock in the limited-slip differential, which will automatically brake the inside rear wheel during spirited cornering to keep all four feet firmly in place. This, in conjunction with the electronic stabilization program, should keep surprises at bay, much to the chagrin of many fans of the model. Steering and braking are class-leading, however with its low stance, sport-tuned suspension, and low-profile tires, the GTI can be a bit rough over non-track surfaces. The optional 18-inch wheels are especially capable of transferring every ripple and bump straight to the steering wheel.
After many negative reactions to the last version of the GTI, Volkswagen seems to have found a design that most, if not all, can agree on. While checking off options will push the GTI to the head of the price wars in this class, you’ll also be getting the best-handling and perhaps most refined example therein. It's a shame that we’re still getting a watered-down version compared to what’s offered in Europe, but we’re also getting it at damned near two-thirds of the price. For that kind of cash, you can keep your climate control and park assist. Who wants to park, anyway?
my first time to fiance a car, i am paying $25,000 for a used 2010 VW GTI, at 289.00 a month , to top it off, electrical failure, back door doesn't open, C.D player stopped working, tail light burnt out, passenger window switch no longer works, has a leak that doesn't know from where it is coming from, A/C no longer works, and I still have $8,000 left to pay... IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN POSSIBLY DO AS A CONSUMER?
I got a golf gti mk6 . Live in Asian country which the weather is hotter than the Europe countries. The question is, Do I can still use the same type and gred of engine oil, atf oil and the coolant which recommended by Volkswagen. Tq for your kindness.
Had new rear brakes put on my 2010 VW GTI. Now the brakes stay compressed so much that it is heating up the rear wheel. Almost like the emergency brake is on but it is not. Did not have this problem before the brakes were put on. What could cause this?
My 2010 vw shifts different after I had the water pump changed could this cause it to shift differentli
TPMS light blinks for about a minute then stays solid . No reset button in glove box .
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dynaudio premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: self-leveling
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: one-touch
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dynaudio premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: one-touch
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent