2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S

The Golf GTI is Volkswagen's hot hatch, the one that practically invented the segment and still defines it. The ride is firm but compliant, so it stays composed on rough pavement without beating you up. Inside, you get a well-built cabin with supportive seats and a practical hatchback that swallows a surprising amount of cargo. A manual transmission and cloth seats distinguish the S from the SE and Autobahn trims above it. Every GTI uses the 2.0L I4 making 210 horsepower; the S gives you a six-speed manual or a automatic transmission driving front-wheel drive, and either way it's eager and responsive.