Car reviewers agree: The 2009 Volkswagen GTI is a blast to drive and offers impressive refinement in a practical and affordable hatchback design. It’s no wonder the GTI was picked as one of Automobile magazine’s “All-Stars” and one of Car and Driver's “10 Best” for 2008 and 2009.

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI is a “hot hatch” known by many names. We’ve heard most of the “terms-of-endearment” applied to beloved GTIs, and we confidently predict you’ll quickly come up with your own. That’s because this is one awe-inspiring sport machine that just happens to be a practical hatch available with two or four doors.

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI is the performance version of the highly regarded VW Rabbit, itself a classic with a large following. The Rabbit makes an excellent platform for the GTI and makes the most out of a sport-tuned suspension, turbo-charged and direct-injected engine and innovative Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), a unique automatic transmission with paddleshifters and an automated clutch. The fact that a GTI offers near sportscar handling and a remarkably refined ride sets it apart from other “hopped up” models that trade comfort for a bone-rattling experience on all but the smoothest surfaces. Add in the GTI’s upscale interior and few “pocket rockets” can compare.

New Car Test Drive put the GTI in perspective. "With its subtly Teutonic styling, the GTI may not look like a performance car. But those inside will have no doubt about its dynamic capabilities. They also will enjoy the room, comfort and cargo capacity of its versatile interior."

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI has another attraction, too. It is one of the few hot hatches available in both two-door and four-door body styles. Standard equipment includes power glass sunroof, power windows, a 60/40-split/folding rear seat, bi-xenon headlights and a 10-speaker, six-CD/MP3 audio system with satellite radio, an auxiliary jack and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The Autobahn Package adds leather top sport seats with power lumbar for driver and passenger, special door panel trim, three rear headrests and crash active head restraints . Most of the Autobahn's features are also offered as stand-alone options.

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine churns out 200 hp with 207 lb/ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; optional is a six-speed automated manual (DSG). YOu can manually shift the DSG transmission by using paddles on the steering wheel, or you can let it shift on its own as an automatic. This car can go from zero-to-60 mph in just under seven seconds with the automatic. As Edmunds.com found, "The 2009 Volkswagen GTI has one of the throatiest factory exhaust notes we can remember in a four-cylinder sport compact. It definitely talks the talk, and happily, the widely praised 2.0T engine walks the walk, boasting excellent low-end torque and smooth power delivery."

The EPA says you should expect 21 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway from a GTI equipped with the standard six-speed stick shift. Equipped with the DSG automatic, the EPA estimates a GTI will get 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the four-door GTI earned four stars out of five in frontal-impact testing and five stars (top score) in side-impact crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a "Good" rating (the highest) in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.

The GTI cabin exemplifies Teutonic luxury and functional styling. Consumer Guide found the environment attractive, noting, "Interior décor is especially impressive with quality fabrics, nicely-textured plastics and many soft-touch surfaces." The sport seats found in the GTI are some of the most comfortable and effective chairs you’ll find in any car capable of carving corners. The standard plaid fabric seat inserts provide a touch of color and personality, not to mention homage to the first GTIs. As Motor Trend confirms, "The plaid front buckets are two of the best seats in the industry with supportive side bolstering and comfortably firm cushions." We love the red/blue/purple glow and backlighting for the instruments and flat bottom steering wheel (complete with audio controls).

The 2009 GTI is also a practical car since it offers a four-door model and great space utilization. With 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats in the two-door and 14.7 cubic feet for the four-door, the 2009 GTI has more cargo space than many of its competitors. Folding the split rear seat yields a downright cavernous 46 cubic feet of space.

Driving the GTI can be thrilling or soothing, depending on your mood. With lots of torque available at low revs, the GTI moves out like a rocket and sounds fast, too. Few cars that handle like the GTI ride as nicely. The six-speed stick is a slick and easy shifter, and the DSG shifts faster than any mortal can. In addition, the DSG is impressive either in paddleshift mode or on full automatic. That makes the GTI the perfect ride for those who love to carve corners, but face the rigors of commuting, too.

At an MSRP of $23,230 for the two-door and $23,830 for the four-door, the 2009 Volkswagen GTI makes European sophistication and high performance affordable. Be sure to drive a GTI soon. Give us a call and we’ll set you up for a test spin.