Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 TSI (DSG) 5 Door Review: Daddy cool

What we like:

Lovely engine that's perfectly mated to a well-engineered gearbox

exterior clearly shows off the GTI's status as a sports hatch

18-inch alloys the perfect fit for the car

Adaptive Chassis Control lets you play different moods.

What we dislike:

Not much different from the Mark V

could do with a much adventurous interior (can you imagine the Italians having a go at the GTI's interior?)

needs slightly better brakes.

It has the driving edge that threatens four-wheel driven Evos and WRXes, and shows a thing or two to other aspiring hot-hatches like the Focus ST and Megane R26. The GTI's biggest threat in the handling department for now? Still the Cooper S. But that will be another story for another day.

This is the perfect car to get if you're the sort who's constantly in a bloody damn rush most times. It's fast, zippy and agile, and you can keep up with any traffic situation. Best of all, it saves your travelling time.

The GTI's practical factor is another strong selling point, together with that wonderful engine and gearbox combo. And thanks to the adjustable suspension setting, brings up the "practically-fun" factor a notch up - you can drive it one way when you're all alone, and another when you have the family to ferry.

So yes... It's a freakishly cool car to have.

Credits: Story & pictures by Azfar Hashim