The media in general is a double edged, fogged up, opinionated pile of poop. JMHO. Funny how certain car magazines publish the same winners of contests year after year. The Ford Focus was plagued with recalls and problems but it made Car and Driver top 10 many years. I know one doesn't have much to do with the other, but either way, both are authorities on cars. I'm a Chrysler service advisor, and I know full well which cars have what problems. Automobile manufacturers buy parts based on price and failure percentages. Funny thing is, even while I was at Ford, the same stuff failed model year after model year. So, as in love as I have been with GTI's, I called a former VW service advisor friend of mine. He scared me off from the 1.8t's because of what he said what an inherent service engine light misfire problem. That's not something I want to deal with and I trust his info.
All of that being said, I know there is no perfect car and consumers these days are complaining about anything and everything in hopes of getting something for nothing. I listen to them every single day I should know, so take those surveys with a grain of salt. We get surveyed and way more pissed off people send in surveys than do the happy ones. I'm willing to take a chance and get a new GTI based on the driving experience, warranty, looks, and practicality regardless of the "supposed" track history. It has a 4yr/50 b-t-b warranty and 5/60 drivetrain. Not much to worry about there, but the inconvience of constant service repairs will wear on you.