For years, cool cars have been denoted by two doors. Yes, hot-rod 4-doors exist -- the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru WRX STi are two examples -- but usually that's only because the cars on which they are based don't offer a two-door variant.
Volkswagen introduced the two-door GTI in 2006, and I'm sure I'm not the only parent who rejoiced when they followed up with the 4-door version for 2007. The 2007 Volkswagen GTI 4-door gives up nothing to the two-door in terms of performance and little in the way of style. It offers the same two-liter turbocharged engine -- the best four-cylinder engine made, if you ask me -- along with the same lightning-fast Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission, same well-trimmed-out interior and the same razor-sharp handling.
While Volkswagen does offer the same hardware in the four-door Jetta GLI sedan, the GTI's hatchback layout makes it smaller, easier to park, and just as capable (if not moreso) at hauling bulky cargo… plus it lets thirty-something parents like me feel like our twenties aren't all that far behind.
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