2008 Volkswagen GTI

The GTI returned to the 10Best list last year after a 21-year absence. Perhaps this hiatus seems strange for the progenitor of a species we’ve loved since the 1983 original, but the evolution of the series tended toward bigger and softer, with a little more room and considerably less fun. The latest generation is a long way from the no-frills original, but VW has effectively addressed the fun-to-drive factor without diluting the sophistication, roominess, and high-quality feel that are characteristic of this family.g