Volkswagen GTI

With its subtly Teutonic styling, the Volkswagen GTI may not look like a performance car despite its increasing tuner influence. But those inside will have no doubt about its dynamic capabilities and versatile interior.

The GTI is available as a two-door or four-door, with a 200 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of six-speed manual transmission or the six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG, which allows the driver to shift without doing the clutch work. It comes with an extensive list of standard equipment including well-bolstered seats with plaid cloth insets, blue-tinted glass, xenon high-intensity gas-discharge headlamps, halogen fog lamps, alloy pedals, Sirius satellite radio, and a carpeted and covered cargo area. It also comes standard with 17-inch summer performance tires on alloy wheels. Front-side and curtain air bags are also standard, as is tire pressure monitoring.

For 2008, the Volkswagen GTI only has several minor changes, including a drop in ride height and removal of automatic climate control.