1985 Volkswagen GTI – A Premier Econo Sportster

Even if you tried not to look ahead and stumble upon the results, you can’t have missed the fact one car took wins in four of the six subjective categories and in two of the three objective categories. It had strong finishes in three categories it didn’t win: a fourth, a third, and a tie for second. Therefore, we had a case of specialized strengths combined with broad flexibility—domination in some areas blended with sound capabilities in all others—resulting in a commendable win for the Volkswagen GTI.

The Legacy of Volkswagen GTI

Since its debut in 1976 in Europe and in 1982 in America, the VW GTI has symbolized a unique driving experience: practical and energy-conscious yet quick and spirited. This model defined sensible fun-enthusiast driving with a low profile. Moreover, it was a cost-effective option to embarrass much pricier and prestigious rivals. Relative to Volkswagen’s projections and production capacity, the GTI was the most successful model in the Rabbit line.

A Definitive Econo Sportster

The American-made GTI that earned the prestigious Car of the Year award impressed all as an expertly engineered and thoughtfully executed automobile, retaining its title as the definitive econo sportster.

Driving Experience and Performance

Test drivers enjoyed every moment spent behind the wheel of this impressive car. One driver noted, “Havin’ some fun now!” The scores reflected a respect for its capabilities that went far beyond mere fun. As a finely crafted car in its own right and the class of its field, the GTI excelled in Quality Control, Comfort and Convenience, Ride and Drive, and Chassis Dynamics.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The GTI makes a remarkable first impression. Its seats, driving position, and overall ergonomics are of the highest quality. It supports the driver in an upright, businesslike position, presenting all major controls at comfortable angles, complemented by a tall greenhouse for excellent visibility.

Performance Insights

Once on the road, the GTI offers an exhilarating experience. Some testers mentioned minor issues like the “shifter takes a little learning,” pedal arrangement needing improvement for heel-and-toe techniques, some harshness, and high steering effort in parking lots. However, it is undeniable that VW succeeded in building high-performance limits while maintaining a cooperative nature during spirited driving.

Testers’ Comments

• “Great balance, fun to toss about, a sweetie of a 5-speed.”
• “First-rate combination of handling characteristics and street concessions.”
• “Outstanding brakes!”
• “Sweet motor.”

However, common feedback included the car’s less striking body styling and limited instrumentation for a sporty vehicle. Though some drivers felt its highway ride was somewhat rigid, none were willing to sacrifice its crisp handling.

Value and Dominance

With a price around $10,000, the Volkswagen GTI presents a unique combination of talents unavailable in any other car within its market segment. While other vehicles may excel in certain areas—like the $9,000 Ford Escort H.O., which offers nearly equivalent space, or the $8,500 Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage Turbo that accelerates faster—none can match the holistic approach of the GTI.

Conclusion

To summarize, VW has crafted a refined GTI—a more civilized companion yet still an absolutely predictable, stable, and sporting vehicle, akin to a tiger in a three-piece suit. It embodies the ideal commute-mobile transformed into a sports car, as accurately reflected by its accolade as MotorTrend’s Car of the Year for 1985.