2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI - INTERIOR

The large, mature cabin has an emphasis on comfort and a substantial features list. There is 93.5 cubic feet of interior room, along with 16.5 cubic feet up of luggage space up to the parcel shelf and 22.8 cu ft to the roof. That’s more luggage room than even the largest midsize sedan. The versatility of the load space is enhanced by a trunk floor that can be raised or lowered, while the 60:40 split backrest can be folded to give an almost flat cargo area that can easily accommodates a full-size bicycle. With the rear seats folded, the Golf GTI has 52.7 cu ft of cargo capacity.

In addition to the spacious interior, the driver controls are positioned to help optimized ergonomics and usability. The seat position, height of the shifter and the spacing between the pedals are fine-tuned for increased driver comfort. This new driver-centric design focus is evident from the center stack, which is angled towards the driver—a trait frequently seen in premium luxury or performance vehicles.

The Golf GTI’s premium performance personality is further accentuated by the red ambient lighting and illuminated door sills; black headliner and trim inserts; buttons and switches that are backlit in white; and the use of premium materials and soft-touch plastics throughout. A GTI specific instrument cluster, sporty aluminum-look pedals, the unique shifter knob, and the flat-bottomed sport steering wheel also ensure differentiation from its less sporty siblings.

An equal amount of attention has been paid to helping maximize comfort and convenience. The standard front sport seats, with classic GTI “Clark” plaid seating surfaces, can be heated, and there are six cup holders. Cruise control switches and media controls are housed on the leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.

The Golf GTI S includes a rearview camera, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, ambient and footwell lighting with LED reading lights, LED foglights, and Driving Mode Selection.

The new Golf GTI Sport is a four-door model with manual transmission, 18 inch “Nogaro” wheels, KESSY keyless access with push-button start, Black painted mirror housings, body-colored moldings, door handles, and bumpers. The Sport also comes equipped with the aforementioned Lighting package as standard.

In addition to the standard features of the Golf GTI S, SE models are equipped with KESSY keyless access with push-button start, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, and the highly acclaimed Fender® Premium Audio System, as well as leather seating surfaces and a panoramic power tilt and slide sunroof. The top-of-the-line Autobahn variants add the standard navigation system, Climatronic® automatic climate control, and a 12-way power driver’s seat.

All 2017 Golf GTI models come equipped with a MIB II touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system offers one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry today. Features available through Volkswagen Car-Net® are divided into three key areas, App-Connect, Security & Service, and Guide & Inform.

App-Connect. The Composition Media unit is standard on the S, Sport, and SE models. It features an 800x480 capacitive color touch display with a 6.5-inch screen and proximity sensor. Standard features include AUX-in, an SD card slot, a USB multimedia interface for compatible Apple iPhone® and iPod® devices; Reverse camera display; Bluetooth® technology with audio streaming and the ability to sync two compatible phones simultaneously and send and receive SMS text messages with compatible phones; App-Connect for compatible smartphone integration, a JPEG viewer, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with three-month trial, HD Radio and support for lossless audio file format (Free Lossless Audio Codec FLAC).

Autobahn models include as standard the Discover Media unit, which captures the features available in the Composition Media unit and adds 2.5D Navigation, one-shot voice destination entry, predicts possible destinations based on often used routes, and Destination Entry with Quick Search and Auto-complete, and XX month trial of Car-Net Guide & Inform.

Security & Service. With the Car-Net Security & Service suite, owners can access their VW remotely through vw.com/carnet as well as a smartphone app, and an in-car Car-Net button console, providing access to the features available from virtually anywhere your mobile device is connected to wireless internet.