The GTI is one of the most practical choices among sporty cars. It's quiet, civilized and doesn't wear you out on long drives. The interior is very well finished, with luxurious materials, comfortably supportive seats and a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use infotainment system. The basic S model gives you a lot of bang for the buck. It's well equipped and doesn't lack for essential features. The only practical reason we'd opt for a more expensive version is to get the HID headlights, as they perform much better than the standard halogens. You can get the better lights on an S model, but only with an automatic. Updates for 2016 included optional forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot warning, all of which became standard in 2020.