I would take the GTI over the regular Golf IF you want a sporty, nicer ride, with the extra luxury features not available on the Golf. It's not just the extra 30hp that makes the difference between the two.
These include:
- Standard bi-xenon HID lights with adaptive (swiveling) cornering.
- Standard dual-zone climate control (the Golf doesn't get this - and the US models don't either).
- Standard Premium 8 (8 speaker) touchscreen sound system with satellite radio and SD card reader.
- Sport suspension - which is still very nice-riding over the city streets but fun to drive.
- Nicer quality plastics/trim in the interior cribbed from the Passat CC.
- Available DSG transmission instead of the standard Tiptronic.
- It's actually less fuel-thirsty than the 2.5L though it will take premium fuel.
- The huge, flat torque band will be more useful around town than the 2.5L's torque curve.
- That super-nice steering wheel which will make you drool.
Take a drive, compare the two, and see the appeal.
If these don't really appeal to you, then by all means, get the 2.5L. Or, better yet, consider the TDI model, which actually is a great buy for the extra torque and the better fuel mileage.