I cross-shopped the GRC, Golf R and ITS in Canada. Ultimately the GRC (CE) was close to the same price as the ITS but much less refined, smaller and just didn't seem to be worth close to the same money.
What clinched it though was my wife and kids looking at both and saying it's not even close.
The car doesn't need to be off to open the hatch, you just need to hit unlock on your door first (you still have to hit the release button on the hatch itself).
So, my wife does groan a little getting out, whilst I resist the urge to do so ? (we're both 45).
Having said that I use it to commute 55km each way, 5 days a week and love it.