The mk6 GTI with DSG is actually rated higher than that by EPA: 24/33 mpg.
I've got a 2011 GTI 4-door. Ever since I bought my FR-S, my fiancee hijacked my GTI. She loves it. The interior is upscale, it comes with nice features she likes (steerable HIDs, nav, BT, moonroof, plaid seats), and it's quiet on the highway. The suspension tuning is typical German-firm, but there's a good amount of body roll and obviously it doesn't handle anything like an FR-S. The engine's got pick-up down low (full torque at 1800 rpm), but you will get wheelspin from the front wheels. The rear seats on the GTI are surprisingly large, but the cargo area is small unless you fold the seats down. As is typical with German cars, GTI's have some minor issues to watch out for -- creaky door seals, carbon build up, DSG mechatronics, etc., but overall, it's a solid, sporty daily driver.
My fiancee likes the GTI a lot (much better than my STI hatch, which she hated), but every girl is different obviously. We're planning to keep our's until we need something bigger.
This is her getting a speeding ticket in our GTI. She's become a bit of a speeder since driving it lol:
