Our long-term 2022 VW Golf GTI S has the fundamentals:
Going with the entry-level S trim means there will be no panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, or seat warmers for rear occupants. That's a decision we feel at peace with. It also means the 15-position electronically controlled dampers won't find their way to each corner. And that's okay, that's about 12 positions too many anyway. What matters most is the 241-hp turbocharged 2.
The biggest omission is the lack of summer tires, which cannot be added as a stand-alone option. The stickier rubber is reserved for the top-dog Autobahn trim, which carries a $39,425 price tag. At the test track, however, observations extracted from cutting up a twisty two-lane were confirmed: This eighth-generation GTI makes a ton of mechanical grip. Around the skidpad, the Pirelli P Zero All Season rubber hangs on with 0.93 g of lateral stick and isn't terribly far off the 0.
Opting for the base Golf GTI means life with the smaller 8.3-inch touchscreen, which is free of built-in navigation. And that's no big deal, as many of us prefer the guidance apps provided by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Fans of SiriusXM will be disappointed to learn of its absence, but again, smartphones for the win. Wired connections to these multimedia interfaces are becoming a thing of the past, but the GTI S still requires a cord.