Most drivers get into their car and, upon noticing a foggy rear window, hit the defroster button, waiting for the horizontal lines in the glass to work their magic. It seems very low-tech, yet the ...

For most drivers, the rear defroster button is an afterthought. You jab it on cold mornings, watch the frost melt into streaky rivulets, and then forget about it until the next weather event.

So, during this week's test of the $36,000 2026 VW GTI S (in a lovely Slate Blue with retro-style plaid fabric upholstery), we didn't expect too much trouble locating important controls when a chilly ...