The Mk5, which added more power in Edition 30 format, was a standout GTI, and the Edition 35 Mk6 (similarly uprated) was decent, too. If the subsequent Edition 40 and Edition 45 arguably dropped ...

The ride height was dropped by 25mm compared to the Mk6 Golf GTI and the springs and dampers were each tweaked for sharper responses, although ACC switchable adaptive dampers were a cost option.

Better buy a 2024 with three pedals while you still can. Volkswagen brought a camouflaged 2025 Golf GTI to CES in Las Vegas last month, but the actual reveal took place weeks later in Europe.