2010 Volkswagen GTI

2010 VW GTI retains its entertaining handling, sweet turbocharged engine and its best-in-world dual-clutch transmission.

Styling, though improved, still isn't the dramatic calling card that it is with the competition--the likes of the MINI Cooper, Honda Civic Si and Mazdaspeed3. The three-door's far more adventurous, and both wear a new horizontal grille, headlamps and taillamps that elongate the shape somewhat--the warning shot from VW design director Walter d'Silva that the next generation Golf/GTI due in two years will be more of a tour de force. Of course, the details are pure GTI: black body trim, GTI badges in the cabin and traditional red grille frame.