Really nice review of the GTI, Elantra N, Civic Si, and WRX by Savagegeese. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2yJbpxVgTA
Final thoughts were really interesting, with one guy pretty much going with "if it was my only fun vehicle" and the other guy going more "if I have a dedicated fun/track car" angle. Things that I wish could have been set up for this test, give the guys a Canadian version Civic Si, and for the love of Pete, give that GTI some summer performance rubber for this type of test. Obviously they are at the mercy of what manufacturers give them, and they tried to go as base model as possible. Oddly, both guys agreed on what is 2nd and 3rd place, just flipped what was first and last.
Was a solid review. The "base models only" thing ruled out summer rubber for GTI - the car comes with all-seasons on the 17" (Canada only) and 18", or summer performance tires for the 19" fitments. I was more surprised that they couldn't get the Elantra out of the hole quicker for the drag race. The GTI outperforms its horsepower rating for sure, but that Elantra is
not slow. Interesting to note, they mentioned temperatures were cold. Had the GTI been on summer tires, they may have had more traction/axle hop issues off the line.
It's priced well beyond, but I'd still chuckle to see an R in that race. The DSG cars run mid-12s and trap 110-112 all day long. Monsters.