Video: 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI

So here's what's changed, a few new safety technologies are now optional. The multimedia system now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a backup camera is now standard, but what really makes the GTI is how it drives and that hasn't changed. The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has a little bit of turbo lag right off the bat, but nice, smooth revving and lots of entertaining power thereafter. And a pretty easy to use manual transmission in our test car here, thanks to very smooth linkages here, medium throws and a pretty light clutch, easy to drive even in heavy traffic. Ride quality is certainly on the firm side, but in a controlled sort of way though, some editors did find it a little bit on the harsh side. Still the payoff comes in handling, where the GTI has grippy summer tires here on our test car and really good dynamics. It doesn't feel too nose heavy, really fun to slide around corners. But what makes the GTI really cool to me is that it doesn't require a lot of the same compromises that many other performance budget compact cars really require you. You can see out of the thing, the rear window is actually really high, there's things like height adjustable arm rest here that kind of can sit up a little bit. If you wanna have your elbow higher when you're shifting gears. The back seat in this 2-door version of the car, actually the same headroom and leg room specs as the 4-door version of the GTI. You can fill people back there all day long. It's actually exceptionally roomy. Again, just not very many compromises for the performance you get. The GTI is fun to drive, affordable and reasonably practical. A hat trick that helped us to win cars.com, $30,000 cheap speed challenge a couple of years ago. The current generation has all of that and even more now, thanks to new smartphone integration. It's as compelling a choice as ever. (trunk thuds)