Rs. 65 Lakh for a hatchback. Yes, read that again. At a time when you can buy a nice premium SUV or a decent luxury sedan for this much, Volkswagen went against the tide and brought in a small hatchback at this price point. The Golf GTI comes with enough compromises that would make a spreadsheet-loving car buyer walk away.
In fact, that’s exactly what makes the Golf so interesting. This hatchback doesn’t make sense on paper but it makes total sense once you drive it and live with it. At Rs. 65 Lakh, it is not exactly VFM. Plus, our taxes and import duties push this little hatchback bang into luxury car territory (Audi Q3 costs the same or less, with a 2.0 TSI engine as well). Plus, the Golf is a hatchback. The rear seat isn’t very spacious, the seating position is very low, the ground clearance isn’t suited for most Indian roads, heck there’s no spare wheel too (even though there is proper space for it)!
That’s why, if you look at the Golf GTI logically, this car doesn’t make sense at all. But that’s also why I like it so much. This Volkswagen isn’t something that you buy after making a spreadsheet of features. You buy it because you enjoy driving and it tugs at your heart strings. This becomes very clear when you get behind the wheel.
The steering is sharp, the handling is fantastic and the car feels very connected to the driver. The 2.0-litre TSI engine has plenty of performance and the whole car feels eager to be driven. You don’t really need to achieve very high speeds to see what this car is capable of. You can enjoy at speeds well within the permissible limit as well.
These days most cars focus on being easy to drive. They are comfortable, packed with features and do everything for you. The GTI really builds that connection with you and makes you enjoy the process of driving. I also like how understated it looks. It isn’t very aggressive or flashy. It has sporty touches and draws glances but it also many times flies under the radar. I personally love the sleeper car feel that it has.
The good thing is that there is support for countless aftermarket modifications for the Golf. You can spruce it up cosmetically and mechanically and the sky is the limit for mods. New wheels, a nice exhaust, maybe a unique wrap to begin with, followed by thorough performance upgrades after the warranty is over.
At this price point, there are a lot of good options to tempt you though. Volkswagen’s own Tiguan R-Line is a lovely alternative. Then you can have the Skoda Octavia RS or maybe a slightly used 3-Series or C-Class. Many of these cars make more sense than the Golf.
The stiff ride, low ground clearance and low profile 19-inch tyres are India-specific problems. The front seats, however, are comfortable and spacious, and the boot is reasonably practical. So while the GTI isn’t a practical family car, it is still much more usable than a traditional sports car.
You aren’t buying the Golf GTI because it gives you the most space or the most features for ₹65 lakh. You aren’t buying it because it is the most sensible choice. You are buying it because you like cars. Because you enjoy a good road. Because you want to feel the steering, hear the engine and have a little fun every time you get behind the wheel.
And the fact that the GTI has found buyers in India despite its price is actually quite encouraging. It shows that there are still people willing to spend money on a car purely because they enjoy driving.
So, does the Golf GTI make sense at ₹65 lakh? Probably not.
But does it have to? Not every car has to be the sensible choice.
Sometimes you just want the car that makes you smile. And that’s exactly what the Golf GTI does.