Your Friend Wants A Small Crossover That Costs And Performs Like A VW GTI? What Would You Recommend? Or Does It Even EXIST?

For the longest time when you started to talk about fun to drive, pretty affordable rides a VW Golf GTI would enter the conversation.

Many young people dreamed of owning a BMW 3-Series variant but when it came down to it after checking the bank balance, the GTI was the best they could do.

And people loved them. Still do love them. And even though 00R has a BMW M2, he still has his modded Golf 2.5 as well.

But the times and buyers needs, they are a changin'.

Many WANT a GTI style driving experience, but realize for their lifestyle, the need something a little larger...small crossover size.

So if a friend came to you right now and said I need a small crossover but i want something as fun to drive and with the performance of a GTI, in that price range, WHAT would you recommend to them? Or in today's market, is there even an answer to that question?

And if not, should there be? Is that a market the manufacturers are missing? And if so who should build them?

Yes, there is a VW T-Roc in Europe, but there is no GTI variant.

Spies, discuss...

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/26/2019 10:48:07 PM

0 Boost

I'd tell my friend to carefully compare the interior dimensions with the rear seats up and down before they decide the VW GTI does not have enough space. My next door neighbour has a Q3. It is tiny.

jeffgall - 8/26/2019 10:56:46 PM

+1 Boost

I wouldn’t normally recommend a SUV with little utility, but if fun handling is the game, the Audi Q3 would be on the list. If it were me, I’d go for an A4 allroad (would prefer the Avant if it came to the US)

runninglogan1 - 8/26/2019 10:59:39 PM

+1 Boost

New Q3.

valhallakey - 8/27/2019 1:50:53 AM

+2 Boost

I like the BMW X2 design, but I would probably get a used new model Type R. You can pick one up in the 20s with less than 30k miles on it. You get the awd and space of a small SUV and the fun+ of a GTI.

TomM - 8/27/2019 6:36:44 AM

+2 Boost

While there will some small SUVs that will be sporty - maybe even fun - there will not be a small Suv/Crossover that will be a drivers car that approaches a GTI. Just the higher center of gravity alone makes that impossible.

The suggestion might be good - but if you really are expecting GTI like handling - you will always be disappointed.

MDarringer - 8/27/2019 7:57:59 PM

+1 Boost

Not doing a Tiguan GTI (lowered down, two wheel drive) is VW losing money on an obvious variant.

mre30 - 8/27/2019 8:03:35 PM

+1 Boost

Tiguan GTI! MD beat me to it! Tiguan is an excellent package (for a VW).

Though for the NorthEast and Utah/Colorado, it should be AWD and snows should fit. Biggest two flaws of the Tiguan are (a) it does not have enough power and (b) the interior/seats need an upgrade. Both would be solved by a Tiguan GLI/GTI

dumpsty - 8/29/2019 12:56:42 AM

+1 Boost

how much does the Macon S cost?