2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI Video

When the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI make their way to the U.S. early next year, they'll look familiar to visiting Europeans, whose continent already has enjoyed both for a while. Then again, they'll also look familiar to anyone stateside who's seen the previous versions of both compact hatchbacks. Getting an up-close peek at the Golf and GTI performance variants at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays was disappointed VW didn't do more to differentiate the new models from their predecessors' appearance.

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That's not to say nothing's changed, of course. Both cars are lighter, longer, wider and more fuel efficient while preserving the interior quality, comfort and technological advancement that's made them so well-regarded overseas. Watch the video below for more of Mays' on-the-scene critique.

2015 Volkswagen GTI: Photo Gallery

We're not likely to see it at the dealership in calendar year 2013, but when the 2015 Volkswagen GTI does arrive, we expect the hot hatch to deliver high performance at a lower cost. That's thanks to production of both it and the 2015 Golf — debuting this week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show — heading to Mexico; production thousands of miles closer should mean thousands of dollars in savings.

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The GTI offers the highest of three revised Golf engines, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, good for 210 horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Sport seats with a plaid cloth pattern, a black headliner and red ambient lighting, along with stainless-steel pedals, trim and shift knob, punctuate the sporty point.

Check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI: Up Close

There are plenty of significant changes under the all-new Golf's sheet metal, including new powertrains that get 8% to 15% better fuel economy, but you wouldn't know it from the conservative exterior styling. VW fans will be able to spot the new subtle creases and lighting details, but they'll go unnoticed by most people. It might not be the flashiest hatchback in the segment, but if VW's history is anything to go by, it won't look dated anytime soon, either.

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The performance-oriented GTI shares the Golf's new platform but gets slightly more aggressive styling. Many of the design cues, like the honeycomb grille and front air dam strakes, mirror those of the current GTI. The grille's red accent line now carries through the headlights, which is a nice touch, and there's a new badge on the front fenders.

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI at the 2013 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla
• Looks like: A longer, lower and wider Golf
• Drivetrain: Choice of three four-cylinder engines in 1.8-liter turbo, 2.0-liter turbo (GTI) or 2.0-liter diesel trim; six-speed manual or dual-clutch automated manual transmission
• Hits dealerships: TBD

The seventh generation of one of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive world is making its North American debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. Both the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI high-performance variant sit on a new structure, designed to be lighter and less expensive than the current Golf. The 2015 Golf is 2.2 inches longer than the current one but 1.1 inches lower, with increases to both rear-seat legroom (which was already copious) and shoulder room.

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Power comes from a choice of three revised engines: The base engine is now a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 170 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque, replacing the old 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. It's mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. An optional diesel engine is available; the new 2.0-liter TDI turbo makes 150 hp and 236 pounds-feet of torque and is mated to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The top engine, available in the GTI hot hatch, is a new turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 210 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque; it also comes with six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmissions.

2013 Geneva International Motor Show: 2014 Volkswagen GTI Preview

Volkswagen has unveiled the latest incarnation of its iconic GTI hot hatch ahead of the March 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. In keeping with VW's tradition of updating the Golf on which the GTI is based, the new car is an evolution of the old one, with subtle changes and improvements to powertrains, fuel economy and driving dynamics. The models unveiled in Geneva are the European-spec vehicles; the U.S.-spec cars have not yet been announced, but this is a good peek into what we could expect here.

2013 VW GTI Gets Limited Editions Before Redesign

The 2013 Volkswagen GTI gains two limited editions in its final year before a redesigned 2014 Golf and higher-performance GTI go on sale. It’s not an enthusiastic sendoff as the GTI Wolfsburg Edition and Driver’s Edition include minor interior appointments and unique wheel designs. Both limited editions are four-door GTIs only — not the two door GTI — and paint choices are limited to Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray and Deep Black.

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Wolfsburg Editions go on sale in the first quarter of this year and start with a base model GTI. The package adds 18-inch Laguna wheels, a throwback golf-ball shift knob with golf-ball-like dimples and red-stitched floormats. Pricing starts at $25,890 with a manual transmission and $26,990 for the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; both prices include a $795 destination charge. A base GTI four-door with a manual transmission starts at $25,390 and includes 18-inch wheels, though with a simpler five-spoke design.

VW to Debut New, Lighter Golf on Sept. 4

We've praised the quality and drivability of Volkswagen's smallest U.S. offering, the Golf hatchback, but the gas version’s fuel economy still underwhelms — 26 mpg combined with Volkswagen's inline-five-cylinder, versus 28 to 32 mpg combined in the Toyota Matrix, Ford Focus hatchback and Hyundai Elantra GT with automatics and base four-cylinder engines. The Golf does have a 34-mpg diesel version, but it commands a stiff $6,240 premium over the base model.

Gasoline versions could see a big increase in fuel economy with the redesigned Golf, which Bloomberg News reports should be unveiled Sept. 4. VW will lighten the car's platform up to 220 pounds with stronger steel but less overall metal, which should help gas mileage improve by a reported 23% in the global car. 

2013 Ford Focus ST Priced at $23,700

Ford revealed more information about its high-performance 2013 Focus ST, including finalized power specs and pricing details. The Focus ST goes on sale this month and is already available for preorder.

The Ford Focus ST has a base price of $23,700, excluding a $795 destination fee. That pricing makes the Focus ST more affordable than the 2012 Mazdaspeed3 ($24,000) and 2012 Volkswagen GTI four-door hatchback ($24,595); the 2012 Honda Civic Si sedan is more affordable at $22,555, however. Compare the competition, here.

Mainly, what you're getting here is the tricked-out engine: a 252-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 270 pounds-feet of torque. Those figures are a big bump from the 247 hp and 250 pounds-feet of torque Ford stated previously. Compared to the traditional Focus, Ford also reworked the suspension by upgrading the shock absorbers and springs. The rear suspension has been revised with uprated knuckles and an all-new antiroll bar design. The electronic power-assisted steering also has a torque steer compensation program, which detects torque steer and counteracts it when necessary. Overall, the sport-tuned suspension offers less ground clearance but better cornering abilities, says Ford.

VW GTI Cabriolet Not Coming to U.S.

This probably won't come as much of a surprise since the U.S. never got a version of the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet when it went on sale last year in Europe, but the GTI Cabriolet also is not coming here, says Volkswagen spokesman Corey Proffitt.

To be announced next week at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the GTI Cabriolet is a two-door open-top version of the high-performance GTI we have in America.

The cabriolet packs a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission and features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Volkswagen says zero to 62 mph happens in 7.3 seconds, which is no better than the Volkswagen Eos' acceleration.

The only big difference between the Eos and the GTI Cabriolet seems to be its ground effects and the fact that the GTI has a cloth top rather than the Eos' standard hardtop.

2012 Volkswagen GLI Video

Loyal Volkswagen Jetta shoppers, who felt somewhat betrayed by the latest model’s downmarket approach, might take solace in the 2012 Volkswagen GLI. The model features a more sophisticated suspension, more powerful engine and some nicer interior amenities that echo features available on the last-generation Jetta. But for $8,000 more than a regular Jetta, there are better options in the category, according to Cars.com Editor Mike Hanley.