The Volkswagen GTI may be small in size, but it keeps coming up big when it comes to third-party quality ratings.
In the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Automotive Performance, Execution And Layout (APEAL) Study, the GTI was the top-rated entry in the Compact Sports Car segment—for the fourth consecutive year. And this comes after it also won its category in 2000, 2001 and 2003. When you consider the APEAL awards are based on feedback from more than 76,000 new-vehicle owners, who analyze their purchases in more than 80 separate measures of vehicle quality, it’s obvious that VW has found the right formula for providing drivers with a high-value, high-fun driving experience that no other rival can match.
Need further evidence? The GTI also topped its segment in the recent AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVAs). The IVAs are another important gauge of vehicle quality because they too are based on input directly from consumers. Specifically, these awards seek to measure how well a new purchase matches up to its owners’ conceptions of an “ideal” vehicle. Which in the GTI’s case is very well indeed.
The secret to the GTI’s success? An obviously unmatched combination of performance, practicality and pure enjoyment, all starting with what’s under the hood. For example, thanks to its award-winning 2.0-liter FSI turbocharged engine and advanced DSG dual-clutch transmission, the GTI can sprint from 0-60 in just 6.7 seconds without having to dash to the gas station every other day. In fact, it’s EPA line of 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined not only bests that of rivals like the Honda Civic Si, but it’s also better than the mileage numbers of the Kia Soul with the same sized engine.
That’s why no matter how you sort out the alphabet soup—IVA, DSG, EPA, etc.—the only five letters you need to remember to enjoy one of the world’s most dynamic driving experiences are “VW GTI.”
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