I wanted to shift gears using the leather-wrapped shift knob while driving Volkswagen’s 2018 Golf GTI SE, especially when I was eager to race forward after sitting at a long light. It’s not a manual, so each time I tried, I freaked out as if someone were blowing a bullhorn in my ear. The knob nor the car moved.
The 2.0-liter TSI engine, with a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission, has so many levels of fast that my muscle memory from driving manuals took over even though the paddle shifters sat ready and waiting behind the steering wheel. Duhhh!
As you can imagine, safety is key for folks like me who want to take advantage of all the 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque this hatchback offers. The safety features include forward collision warning and autonomous braking with front assist, pedestrian monitor, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert. The rear view camera system, utilizing the 8-inch touchscreen, was extremely effective in providing a wide, clear view of what was going on behind the vehicle.
Other amenities include the push button start, power titling/sliding panoramic sunroof and cherished assets for winter time, including rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated windshield washer nozzles. The cargo area produced 53.7 cu ft of space when I flattened the 60/40 split folding rear seats with center armrest and pass-through. Yes. Loads of space.
The redesigned front grille and bumper stands out with the LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights as well as that not-so-innocent red line. It was a striking visual against the Night Blue Metallic exterior, carrying over inside to the Titan Black Leather interior featuring Top Sport seats with lumbar support. This low-to-the ground SE allowed me to quickly maneuver around obstacles in small spaces on the highway, ie that awkward spot between two diesel trucks.
A few days into my test drive my hand continued to assume the resting position on the shift knob when sitting at the light, but I stopped short of trying to drive it like a manual. That bullhorn in my head had made its point. I was having too much fun to continue freaking myself out.
2018 VW Golf GTI SE MSRP: $31,165; Combined City/Highway MPG: 28.
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