Honda Civic Si, Kia K5, Hyundai Kona N, WRX are all candidates. While the manufacturer may not recommend towing, any of these can tow -- and they do in Europe.
IMO the GTI is still probably the most versatile / best of the bunch.
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Honda Civic Si, Kia K5, Hyundai Kona N, WRX are all candidates. While the manufacturer may not recommend towing, any of these can tow -- and they do in Europe.
IMO the GTI is still probably the most versatile / best of the bunch.
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Add Mazda3 to list. My 2010 (hatchback, red mica, 6 speed manual, 2.5L engine) got stolen recently, and I can't find anything to replace it that I like as much. Bought in 2013 with 40k mi for $14K; insurance is giving me $10K with 80K mi. Mazda's very under rated. Since '90's, I have owned Protege, MPV minivan, Miata and currently family Mazda5 suv.
Good luck,
w.
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If you want to move to something nearly as fun as your GTI but a little larger, consider looking at the Audi Q5 (2012+). The 2.0T engine is very similar to the GTI's, and the extra room is great. If you're looking for a bit more power (at the cost of gas mileage) it's also available with a 3.0T that is quite a bit faster - especially if you tune it (over 400hp with just a software flash).
My wife and I picked up a 2014 SQ5 for about the same price as a regular Q5 with similar mileage, and it's absolutely fantastic. The 3.0T engine is pretty reliable (for a German car) and a well-maintained example should go a long way past 100k with routine maintenance. Had we purchased a Q5, I would have tuned it right away, but the 350+HP of the SQ5 from the factory is more than enough!
I currently drive a 2011 GTI and my wife drove a 2006 Miata. Now that we're expecting, it was time to let the Miata go so we could get a family vehicle. I wanted to get an Audi A4 Avant or Allroad, but my wife hates wagons. My VW mechanic said any Audi with the 3.0T supercharged 6 cylinder should be solid, so the Q5 jumped to the top of her list. The Q5 is built on the same platform as the A4/A5, so other than the high center of gravity, it feels a lot like a sporty sedan.
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Some of the people responding seem to have missed the requirement for a manual transmission, as most of the suggestions don't offer one.
The Kona N is only available with a DCT, and has a smaller back seat than a GTI. I personally wish they'd offered it with a manul.
The related Veloster N is available with a manual, and is fun. But is the back seat roomy and versatile enough for you? The Elantra N is also available with a manual and a usual back seat, but has a trunk rather than a hatch.
No hatch with the Civic Si or Subaru WRX, either. I haven't driven the latest WRX yet. The previous one lacked the refinement of the GTI.
The Civic Type R is VERY fun. The major issues here are price, overdone styling, and perhaps an overly aggressive state of tune.
So, unless you're willing to get a sedan you might well end up with another GTI.
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