Can a Tall Person Drive a Volkswagen Golf GTI?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Volkswagen is one of the most popular automakers in the world. So, naturally, it makes cars for almost everybody. That’s true even for tall people, at least as far as the Volkswagen Golf GTI goes. Though VW engineers probably weren’t thinking of long-legged drivers when designing the Golf GTI, it can still fit some tall people despite its small size.

Most tall people can drive an older Volkswagen Golf GTI

As with most things in life, the easiest way to find out about something is to try it. That’s exactly what Edmunds did when reviewing the 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Edmunds found two tall men and persuaded them to sit in the driver’s seat. The two test subjects were 6-foot-5 Mike and 6-foot-6 Kellan.

Mike and Kellan were aware of their height and the problems it could cause when car shopping. But sitting inside a 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a revelation for both. Mike, who complained about his BMW 7 Series, said the GTI solved many of the problems he had with his Beemer. Kellan, who was only 15 years old, didn’t even know where to start as far as cars that fit him went, and the GTI showed him and his mom the way forward.

Why 2-door VW Golf GTIs are great for tall people

The Volkswagen Golf GTI‘s advantages for tall people came from its standard two-door body style, Edmunds reported. The two-door configuration allowed VW to push the pillar back, making more room for a tall person to slide into the driver’s seat. A pillar positioned farther back also meant it wouldn’t block a tall person’s view as much. Furthermore, Edmunds said the GTI’s seatbelt laid better across a tall person’s shoulder.

Overall, the two-door Golf GTI had plenty of headroom and legroom, and that’s exactly what tall people want in a car. The GTI also had features that made it friendlier for tall people, including a telescopic steering wheel and plenty of space for the adjustable driver’s seat to move around. 

However, the two-door Volkswagen Golf GTI also had some drawbacks. Chief among were limited rear passenger space and cargo capacity.

VW stopped making 2-door GTIs after the 2017 model

With that being said, the biggest problem might be that Volkswagen stopped making the two-door Golf GTI after the 2017 model year, Car and Driver reported. The 2018-2021 GTI comes in only a four-door configuration, and that could remove all of its advantages for taller drivers.

Thus, they may have to choose a model that’s better suited to their body type or search for a used two-door GTI that’s a 2017 model or earlier. Buying used is still a viable option — or even a preferred one, as it can mean significant savings on the purchase price. 

For example, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI starts at around $28,000. But a used 2010 model costs between $4,600 to $7,500, Edmunds reports. That’s a small price to pay to fit a taller driver.

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Is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Faster Than the BMW M2 CS?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Bullitt and the Shelby GT350 aren’t around anymore, but in their place is the Ford Mustang Mach 1. And it comes with a few Shelby-like features to get it ready for the racetrack. But is it properly geared up to take on something like the 2021 BMW M2 CS? YouTube team Throttle House took to the track to find out.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is “Ford’s most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang yet,” Car and Driver says

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 | Ford

Think of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 as a trim in-between the outgoing Bullitt and Shelby GT350. And that’s not just because its performance falls roughly in the middle of those two trims. The Mach 1 uses parts from both the Bullitt and the GT350 to get it ready for the racetrack. And for good measure, it also features parts from the now-discontinued GT Performance Pack 2, Car and Driver reports.

Like the Bullitt, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 has a 5.0-liter V8 rated at 480 hp and 420 lb-ft. Unlike the Bullitt, though, the Mach 1 has an optional 10-speed automatic. But the standard six-speed manual isn’t from the Bullitt, but the GT350. The Mach 1’s front and rear subframes are also from the GT350, as are its engine oil and transmission coolers, Roadshow notes. And the rear diffuser and suspension components come from the GT500.

The side 3/4 view of a gray-black-and-orange 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with the Handling Package by a racetrack garage
2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with Handling Package side 3/4 | Ford

Because the Mach 1 is built on a GT with the Performance Pack 1, it has those features included, MotorTrend explains. That means it has Brembo brakes, stiffer suspension, additional chassis bracing, a larger radiator and rear sway bar, and a limited-slip differential. Adaptive magnetorheological dampers are standard, as is Mach 1-specific tuning for the stability and traction control, steering, and driving modes. And the muscle also gets the chassis tuning, upgraded brake booster, stiffer sway bars and springs, and summer tires from the PP2.

However, if that’s not enough, there’s also an optional Handling Package, Car and Driver reports. This comes with a Gurney-flap-equipped spoiler from the GT500, a front splitter, grippier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and adjustable top strut mounts. Plus, it gives the Mach 1 lighter-weight aluminum wheels for reducing unsprung weight, MT notes.

But the 2021 BMW M2 CS “might…be the best BMW sports car of all time,” MotorTrend claims

A blue 2021 BMW M2 CS on a racetrack
2021 BMW M2 CS | BMW

When it comes to sharpness, though, the 2021 BMW M2 CS might have the Ford Mustang Mach 1 beat. That’s because, while the Mach 1 is a sharper GT, it’s not quite as sporty as the GT350, Roadshow notes. In contrast, the M2 CS is a sportier version of the M2 Competition, which is already the sportier version of the M2, MT explains.

Under the hood, the 2021 BMW M2 CS uses the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six as the M2 Competition. That means 444 hp and 406 lb-ft sent to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The M2 CS also has the same active LSD as the M2 Competition, Roadshow reports, and the same standard brakes.

RELATED: Old vs. New: Can a 2008 E90 M3 Keep up With the 2021 BMW M3?

However, unlike the M2 Competition, the BMW M2 CS has adaptive M-tuned suspension. And with a carbon-fiber roof, hood, mirror caps, front splitter, rear diffuser, center console, transmission tunnel, and rear spoiler, it’s lighter than the Competition. Plus, it offers optional carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, Car and Driver reports. Also, while it rides on 19” wheels like the Competition, the M2 CS’s wheels are lighter, MT notes.

Add all this together and you’re left with what MT calls “the best sports car Bavaria has built in more than a decade—and maybe ever.” But it will cost you, especially compared with the Ford Mustang Mach 1. After destination, the Mach 1 starts at $53,915; the Handling Package adds $3500. However, the BMW M2 CS costs $84,595 after destination, Roadshow reports

Which is faster on Throttle House’s track?

RELATED: The 2022 M5 CS Is the Fastest and Most Powerful BMW Yet

On paper, the BMW M2 CS is the faster car in a straight line. With a manual, it goes 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, Car and Driver reports. The DCT cuts that down to 3.8 seconds. As for the Ford Mustang Mach 1, Car and Driver recorded a 4.3-second 0-60 mph time with the manual car. But with the automatic, Motor1 estimates it could hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

However, Throttle House didn’t test these cars in a straight line, but on its racetrack. There, co-host Thomas set a 1:10.35 lap in the M2 CS, beating the Camaro ZL1 1LE by 0.76 seconds. And he reiterated what MT said, saying that it’s “easily the most fun, most sorted sports car I think I’ve ever driven.”

RELATED: Now Is a Great Time to Buy a Ford Mustang Bullitt

Unfortunately, Throttle House wasn’t allowed to set a lap time in the Ford Mustang Mach 1. But Thomas did set a course time in the significantly more powerful and sharper Shelby GT500, albeit not one with the optional Track Pack. Nevertheless, even with over 300 more horsepower than the BMW, the M2 CS’s lap time was still faster. So, in all likelihood, the Mach 1 wouldn’t be able to match it.

On a technicality, then, the M2 CS is the faster sports car.

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Even the 2020 Kia Telluride Shock Absorbers Are Noteworthy

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2020 Kia Telluride is notable for many reasons. This midsize crossover SUV boasts power and features that typically cost far beyond its $33,000 asking price. Kia has become the industry leader in giving drivers more bang for their buck. But though this SUV is one of the best-reviewed cars of its class, shoppers might overlook one of its most notable features. 

Overview of the 2020 Kia Telluride

While many automakers drive up prices with every feature they add, Kia remains dedicated to giving drivers the best bang for their buck. No, these cars might not be the height of luxury or the absolute best models on the market. However, they provide a close alternative at a fraction of the price.

The 2020 Kia Telluride starts at $33,000, but for about $10,000 more, drivers can get the optimal package for an obscenely low price, Car and Driver notes. From its all-wheel-drive capabilities to the 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 20-inch wheels, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, heated passenger’s seats, and much more, this SUV is arguably one of the best bargains on the market. And with three-row seating, it also has enough space for even large groups or families. 

The Telluride’s V6 engine, along with an eight-speed transmission, harnesses 291 hp. It makes any outing — from grocery store runs to road trips — a breeze. Though Car and Driver acknowledges some faults in the SUV’s input and acceleration, the payoff in features makes up for those flaws. 

On-road, off-road, and everywhere in between, the 2020 Telluride offers enough performance, power, and luxury to make the SX package’s $43,000 price seem like a typo. Kia has long reinvented itself as the affordable alternative to industry giants, but the Telluride is arguably its best work. One year on, C/D stands by everything it said in 2020, too. 

How does the 2020 Kia Telluride hold up after a year?

After giving the SUV a glowing review in 2020, Car and Driver went back to look at how the car held up one year later. Giving it a 40,000-mile progress report, the publication stood by its initial review. It even doubled down on its praise while commending the Kia Telluride’s versatility and ease of use. C/D’s vehicle testing director, Dave Vanderwerp, even called it “a Range Rover for the middle class.” 

That’s hard to argue with. Kia has taken a concept typically reserved for those who can afford six-figure SUVs and given it an affordable makeover. However, while reviewers have analyzed, praised, and tested seemingly everything, the shock absorbers provide a lesser-known reason to recommend the Telluride. 

This SUV’s most shocking feature

Going back to Car and Driver’s 2020 Kia Telluride review, the updated rundown included one particularly noteworthy feature. According to the publication, the 2020 model’s damping ended up being one of its defining features. Cheaper cars have a reputation for feeling clunkier and less smooth in the harshest conditions. At least that was the case before the 2020 Telluride. 

Noting how the new-car feel held up after over 40,000 miles on the road, Car and Driver’s reviewers seemed smitten that such a cheap vehicle could compare so easily to the Range Rover and other rivals. Though it once fell behind in transmission and the nitty-gritty of the car’s design, Kia has changed the game by catching up to the rest while keeping the cost low and staying true to its commitment to customers. 

The results speak for themselves. In 2020, Car and Driver awarded the Telluride a perfect 10/10, but a year later, reviewers seem to like it even more. Maybe Kia will never be in line with high-end manufacturers. However, by building something unique, the South Korean automaker has confirmed it doesn’t have to match luxury brands to be a power player in an ever-growing SUV market. 

RELATED: The 2021 Kia Telluride Is 1 of the Peaceful SUVs to Buy Once Again

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Which Audi Vehicles Are EVs?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As consumers start to shy away from gas and hybrid powertrains, the EV market has never been hotter. In turn, automakers have embraced the technology and are racing to convert their lineups to electric. Audi is no exception. In fact, the German automaker boasts a plethora of electric cars and SUVs for the 2021 and 2022 model years.

Audi’s 2021 electric models in production

Audi is a luxury division of the Volkswagen Group. It’s “benefiting from a $42 billion investment over five years, during which some 70 all-electric models will be launched across all of the German automaker’s brands by 2030,” MotorTrend reports.

Currently in production are the 2021 Audi e-tron SUV and 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback.

The SUV features a futuristic design with a cabin packed with the latest technology features. Though the starting price is high at $72,933, the e-tron gets an impressive 74 MPGe and 73 MPGe highway. The SUV debuted in 2019 and was Audi’s first attempt at an electric vehicle. 

Last year, the brand introduced the new e-tron Sportback. The 2021 model has minimal changes from the previous year. MotorTrend refers to the automaker’s second electric vehicle as “a stylish, sloped-roof coupe version of the SUV.” The Sportback starts at $75,589 and gets 76 MPGe city and 78 MPGe highway.

The future of Audi electric vehicles

In the works for the 2022 model year are the Audi e-tron GT and e-tron GT RS sedan. The GT is the brand’s third electric vehicle, offering powerful performance and the most exciting cabin of all the new models to date.

The RS variant of the four-door e-tron is a luxuriously upgraded model. This high-performance sports car is in the same class as the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.

Looking toward the future of SUVs, the five-passenger 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback are smaller, more economical compact crossover SUVs. These dual-motor, all-wheel-drive models are expected to have an extended range of 250 miles. The estimated starting MSRP will hover around $45,000.

Technology is impressive in the Q4, with a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard and an 11.6-inch screen available in higher trims. The head-up display with navigational and driver-assist features is impressive, as is a standard 10.3-inch instrument cluster.

A 2022 Audi Q5 e-tron SUV is also in the works and should be available midseason. The Car Connection reports pricing is expected to start around $42,595 with a standard S Line exterior. A plug-in hybrid Q5 will also be available for $53,995 to $62,445.

All of these electric variants will be under the Audi e-tron moniker in some form or another.

The 2021 e-tron at a glance

U.S. News ranks the 2021 Audi e-tron number one among luxury hybrid and electric SUVs. In fact, reviewers note it offers a “sumptuous interior, user-friendly infotainment system, brisk acceleration, and refined handling.”

This electric SUV also handles well, boasting smooth suspension, quick acceleration, and precision handling. The spacious cabin offers luxurious materials throughout to create a comfortable environment.

Overall, Audi’s new EV lineup promises to be impressive, with a level of refinement consumers expect of the luxury brand.

RELATED: The 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron Is the 1st Car Ever to Add This Feature

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