Already a European favorite by the time it landed on North American shores for the 1983 model year, the Volkswagen GTI has since earned a place in automotive history for delivering an innovative combination of economy, practicality and fun. A car defined by small but highly responsive four-cylinder engines and artfully engineered handling, the last two GTI models haven't lived up to the reputation established by the first two. While the all-new, fifth-generation version is the biggest, heaviest yet, it also features the GTI's most powerful engine and most sophisticated suspension ever. The net result? A car that defines fun-to-drive—a genuine GTI.

* Ratings from previous model year shown