Living with a Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport: how does it fare as a sporty all-rounder?

Is the perfect car to take on a nice road trip a big cruiser? A luxurious saloon or estate to waft about in? Or could it be a small, fun two-seater to enjoy some twisty roads in, at the expense of some comfort?

If you want to have your cake and eat it with a car that’s not only comfortable when munching miles but also fun to drive and practical enough for the real world, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport seems like it could be the perfect choice.

Here are five things to note about the high-tech hot-hatch after I took one on a road trip from London, through the Cotswolds and into Wales.

1. A sporty driving experience

While the four-wheel drive Golf R may be the true range-topper these days, the front-wheel drive GTI – especially in extra spicy Clubsport form – has a much more playful, old-school character in the way it drives.

The GTI Clubsport feels planted when driving quickly and smoothly; 300hp from its 2.0-litre petrol engine through the front wheels means it’s more exciting to drive fast than the super-stable Golf R when driving like a bit of a hooligan.

It does feel a bit numb though, with the heavily assisted steering robbing you of a feel for how much grip the front wheels have – even if it never felt scary when carving through corners.

2. Surprisingly good fuel economy

After exploring some of England and Wales’ prettiest country lanes, sitting in Bristolian traffic and enduring stop-start motorway jams along the M4, the sporty GTI Clubsport managed a respectable fuel economy figure of 42.9mpg over a 500-mile round trip; high-performance without leaving me wincing at the pump.

3. It’s comfortable…ish

Even in Clubsport trim we found the Golf GTI generally comfortable. It’s still a family hatchback after all, but with extra supportive sports seats. Even for a car with firm suspension the Clubsport took broken roads in its stride, but we did get shaken about by bigger bumps in the road.

The bucket seats are a double-edged sword though, as the fixed headrests meant shorter passengers can get neck ache after extended periods – as happened to my other half on the journey home. The big wheels mean there’s a lot of road noise on the motorway too.

4. Usefully practical

For a two-person staycation the Golf had more than enough room for our luggage as well as odds-and-ends and water bottles in the front. That’s for two people who have a tendency to over-pack too, with a week’s worth of luggage for a two-night stay.

The GTI took two suitcases, two backpacks, some camera gear and two grab-bags in its boot with ease, as well as an assortment of jackets for unpredictable weather. Having rear seats was handy for keeping a snack bag in the cabin too.

5. Looks at home wherever it goes

The real ace up the GTI Clubsport’s sleeve was the ability to blend in no matter the occasion. When parked outside of a posh country manor hotel, the GTI looked every bit as luxurious as the Range Rovers and Audi RS-es surrounding it. In a city-centre multi-storey car park, it blended in among a sea of ‘regular’ hatchbacks and saloons – avoiding the wrong sort of attention.

Most importantly for a hot hatch, on a nice country lane and in a picturesque spot, the metallic red paint and sporty body kit meant the Golf looked every bit as sporty as its name suggests; fantastic in my eyes.

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