The midlife crisis manifests itself in many forms. Those affected feel overwhelmed by the events or have the impression that their youth is slowly fading. Some will suddenly feel that they lack self-confidence in the face of a changing world and will definitely try to hold on to their past for fear of the future.
I personally experienced these mental states when I turned 40, just two months after becoming a father for the first time. In this world in which the traditional journalist at the center of a crisis-ridden media industry is becoming increasingly rare, I began to seriously question myself on several points.
This all happened just as I was testing this Volkswagen Golf GTI, a well-known compact sports car that is also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Ironically, I felt like she was also going through her midlife crisis.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
The original, since 1983
My copy was also an Edition 40, a variant limited to 500 copies in Canada. It illuminates the four decades of the life of one of the most legendary sports compact cars in the history of automobiles. Based on the Autobahn version and marketed only for the 2023 model year, the GTI “40” is offered exclusively for this model with black wheels with 19-inch Scottsdale red stripes.
The colors Urano Gray (tested) and Tornado Red are unique to this edition, as are the 40 patterns affixed to the sides. All 40th Anniversary GTIs receive the number 40 on the steering wheel as well as a golf ball-inspired shifter, a direct nod to the first-ever Rabbit GTI.
In a world where everything is expensive, the Golf GTI still manages to remain affordable. At least that was the case with this 2023 model year 40 edition, whose bill, including all fees, came to $38,995. However, for 2024, the GTI sees a price increase of around $500 for all versions.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
Dad’s athlete
Neither too big nor too small, the GTI meets the needs of a small family while maintaining the soul of a sports car.
However, we have to face the fact that it remains a small car. This reality is immediately apparent when you consider how small the door opening is, making entry somewhat difficult for tall people. However, after installing it in the sports seat, I appreciated the lumbar support and lateral support that a GTI provides, allowing me to feel completely comfortable on a long journey. The peripheral visibility of this compact camera is beyond any doubt.
While in the past the Golf GTI gave the impression of sitting behind the wheel of a discount Audi due to its excellent construction and workmanship quality, the current generation disappoints in this respect. Everywhere I put my hands, I felt that the manufacturer was trying to cut costs through the poor quality of the materials and the cracking of certain processing parts when touched. The fact that my example’s shifter moved half an inch when the car went into gear only added insult to injury.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
The Golf GTI continues to suffer from serious ergonomic problems. Whether it is the more or less effective tactile buttons on the steering wheel or the slow-response multimedia system whose user experience is pathetic, we quickly notice that the manufacturer has missed it. Solid in this respect. Things get even worse at night when you notice that the air conditioning and audio system volume controls don’t light up. At least it’s possible to personalize our ambient lighting…
Thanks to its good format, it remains extremely versatile; but the back seat is tight when you’re tall. Installing a child seat forces you to move the passenger seat forward, and taller people won’t like feeling their legs caught. However, the headroom is impeccable. The same applies to the loading volume of this compact car, which remains competitive at 1,005 liters (with the seat backs folded down). This leaves enough space for a stroller and a few shopping bags.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
Efficient mechanics
There are no changes to the engine in the GTI 40th Anniversary. It still uses a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 258 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.
Since it is only offered with front-wheel drive – all-wheel drive is reserved for the Golf R – the GTI directs its power via an electronic limited-slip differential. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard (as was the case with my tester), while a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG) is optional for $700 extra.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
Just strong enough and still fun to drive
Whatever we think of this 8th generation Golf GTI (MK8), we must give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. To this day, it is the compact sports car that best combines everyday life and sportiness. After spending most of the week with it as a family vehicle (baby, partner, dog, groceries and renovation supplies), I made sure to escape to country roads at the weekend to properly evaluate it. The GTI has adapted in all contexts and once again demonstrated its great flexibility.
However, I would like to point out that despite its versatility, this Volks remains very stable for our roads. This is inevitable if we want to offer consumers a vehicle that can do it all. However, like German vehicles, the dry suspension of a GTI can sometimes make daily driving uncomfortable.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
However, there was nothing to complain about when it came to the performance of his engine, which always knew how to adapt to the situation. I must say that with the manual transmission I was able to really master this mechanism, which always provides enough torque at low speeds and at the same time allows us to increase the speed. It’s an engine that does everything well, regardless of context. However, I would have liked to have heard it a little more often. The GTI is far too quiet for its intended purpose.
On the winding roads of the Eastern Townships, this little bomb allowed me to travel back in time thanks to its analogue driving feel and the fact that I could operate it via three pedals. Thanks to its limited-slip differential, you can step on the accelerator in the middle of a corner without the vehicle excessively understeering. It’s certainly less precise than, say, a Honda Civic Type R, but the GTI still performs very well and allows us to push it to its limits again and again without showing any signs of fatigue. The GTI is always great fun to drive and is always ready to accompany us on our next adventure.
At the end of my week with the car, during which I covered a distance of almost 1,000 kilometers, combining relaxed driving with sportiness, I recorded an average consumption of 8.3 liters/100 kilometers. That seems entirely reasonable to me, given the joy I felt behind the wheel.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Photo provided by: William Clavey
He clings to his past
However, I face the facts! Like me, who questioned my life at the start of my 40th birthday, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is clinging to a past that is slowly dying out. With the advent of electrification and the looming reality that this icon will one day become an electric vehicle, we see the GTI in its current form quietly becoming deadwood, trying as best it can to stay relevant in a world in the… The automobile is changing at a rapid pace.
Due to mechanical and electronic issues reported early on by owners, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is still in the evaluation phase by our team. Therefore, we cannot yet decide on a recommendation.