In the mind of a true enthusiast, there are hot hatches and then there are really hot hatches, with the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI, two that would be at the top of most lists. But in many minds, the latter model stands out as the all-time winner, with one particular version in sharp focus.Among the eight generations wearing the coveted Golf GTI badge, the Mk 6is a winner and especially the manual variant that Volkswagen built between 2010 and 2014. In our ranking of the generations, the Mk5 came out on top, but the Mk 6 was simply an extensive upgrade of that car. What's not to enjoy in this perfect embodiment of what the GTI badge represents? And especially if you can buy a good example today for only $9,500, making the prospect of exciting and enjoyable motoring even sweeter.The Mk 6 version of the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI may be the best, especially as you can find a good used one for less than $10,000. But why was this so good, and did the manual gearbox make a difference? We take a closer look, with comments from our team of experienced test drivers. Power, Performance, and Driveability VolkswagenPerhaps the biggest part of the Mk 6 Golf GTI’s appeal is its refined and punchy powertrain. Volkswagen fitted a new EA888 generation-1 engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged beast, giving 200 horsepower and with plenty of torque. The EA888 replaced the earlier EA113 engine family and was the company’s nod towards stricter emission standards. It had a timing chain rather than a camshaft belt and was much lighter than its predecessor, but crucially, it also took a significant step forward in terms of performance and fuel efficiency.While the engine certainly did the business, it may be the manual gearbox that sets this GTI variant on a pedestal. Many journalists and enthusiasts really love the gearbox and much prefer it over the dual-clutch automatic. After all, the manual stick offers a precise and smooth shift and a more direct connection to the road beneath that any automated transmission just cannot match. Well-Balanced Dynamics Make This GTI Handle Like a Dream Volkswagen To use all that power properly, you need to have a good chassis beneath you and here again, Volkswagen scored. The Mk 6 chassis offers you a comfortable ride with superior handling. Carefully tuned suspension and balanced weight distribution mean that you can power through corners with perfect composure. All in all, you'd expect this vehicle to give you plenty of weekend excitement while also being a good compromise when it comes to that everyday mundane driving. So, you'll love the winding roads, but won’t struggle to deal with traffic lights, potholes, and downtown streets. Plenty to Love - Outside and Inside 2012 Mk6 GTI Interior dashboardOutside, the Mk 6 GTI looks the part, with that iconic hot hatch design and a muscular stance. It's not overly stylized but has subtle clues that give its capabilities away, while being traditional and modern at the same time. This means that it’s neither too simple nor too aggressive and, thus, has broad appeal.Inside, there are plenty of premium soft-touch materials throughout the cabin and the type of quality that you've come to expect from Volkswagen. Seat placement, controls and general ergonomics score highly and further enhance the driving experience. In fact, you’ll have to go a long way among its peers to find an interior that's as good in terms of build quality and presentation.To me, the Mk 6 represents the best of Golf GTI. The power output was just right, the manual gearbox was sensational, and the interior build quality was still on par with premium German brands.- Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor What You Need To Know About Upkeep And Upgrading Volkswagen If you're thinking about buying a Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk 6, you'll want to know about its long-term reliability and upkeep. Here again there's good news, as, according to KBB, Mk 6 reliability is above average within the hot hatch category, and overall quality also had a good score of 4.7 out of 5. That EA888 generation-1 engine is generally reliable and there are few overly complex driver-assist systems to pose any major reliability threat.As with almost any older GTI today, maintenance costs are still reasonable. You shouldn't have any issues finding parts as there are many independent specialists and an army of DIY enthusiasts. You can pick through forums and guides or spend all day watching YouTube tutorials if you want to tackle any maintenance issues. And of course, this generation of GTI is still electronically simple, especially when you compare it to a modern-day version. Why the Mk 6 May Hit the Sweet Spot Volkswagen The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been one of the most popular models on the market since its inception, but the Mk 6 may be the best. Compared to the earlier generations (Mk 1 through 5), you now have a faster and more refined vehicle. It should be easier to drive on your daily commute, but with safety and reliability upgrades over the earlier cars. This may make the Mk 6 so much simpler to live with than its predecessors.When you look at the later generations, either the Mk 7 or the latest Mk 8, you will see a lot more “high-tech,” with advanced driver assistance systems, digital displays, and so on. Does some of this technology dilute the driving experience, and could it be that the Mk 6 GTI has the perfect balance?The 2010 to 2014 Golf GTI Mk 6 cars have strong resale values, especially with the manual gearbox. Demand may continue to grow from enthusiasts and collectors, which means that a well-maintained and low-mileage manual example, such as the one we found for $9,500, could continue to hold its value really well. This could position the Mk 6 GTI as not just an affordable sports car, but one that may have future classic potential as a wise investment. The Mk 6 Wears the Golf GTI Crown Well Volkswagen So, the 2010 to 2014 VW Golf GTI Mk 6 (with the manual) stands out as one of the best in the model’s illustrious history. You'll get an almost perfect blend of reliability, affordability, and performance, and it's got that timeless design that will always age well. Given that it’s likely to keep a strong resale value and currently has an affordable price, it's hard to see its crown slipping. Could it be the best Golf GTI that Volkswagen has ever produced? Perhaps it's time to sample the true essence of the Golf GTI experience for yourself. Anecdotally The Best Of A Brilliant Bunch VolkswagenIt's tough to quantify which GTI is the best of all time. We've tried it before with mixed feedback from staffers and readers alike, as different things appeal to different people. But for CarBuzz Managing Editor, Roger Biermann, the Mk6 holds a special place in his heart, and it remains a high watermark for hot hatches to this day:"The Mk 6 GTI - with a manual - was the first new car I ever test drove, back when I was still experiencing cars instead of writing about them. It was brilliant then, but I was entirely naive at the time and likely would've been impressed with anything. But over a decade later and with hundreds more cars beneath my driver's belt, revisiting the Mk6 left me feeling the same. It was the last generation before the switch to the ubiquitous MQB platform, and while MQB has done great things, the VW Group's A5 platform that underpinned the Mk6 still felt like an old-school platform you had to mesh with as a driver, before cars became so capable that the driver was the weakest link."It had the perfect amount of power for a front-drive hatch, the manual was slick, and the material quality was great. Plus, it lacked the bulbous look of the Mk5 that I've never warmed to. And the biggest factor was that it was fun to drive within the confines of the law, something modern hot hatches have robbed us of."- Roger Biermann, CarBuzz Managing EditorSources: Volkswagen