I was really looking forward to this one - the regular Polo review I put together last year confirmed the car as the conservative choice. Competent, actually very good in places, but not something to set anyone’s pulses racing, obviously. Now though, VW have introduced the new Polo GTI, and although I haven’t really looked towards the Polo GTI as being an alternative to its bigger brother, I think I might have just been persuaded….
To be honest, the car looks great. The Polo GTI has never been the most adventurous of re stylings but the slightly more aggressive stance, side skirts, lowered ride height and little GTI badges on the front grill really work well. I drove a white test car, and I must admit I thought it suited it excellently. The look is understated but perfectly VW, and is agressive enough to ensure it wouldn't look amiss at a track day or race event.
To be honest, the car looks great. The Polo GTI has never been the most adventurous of re stylings but the slightly more aggressive stance, side skirts, lowered ride height and little GTI badges on the front grill really work well. I drove a white test car, and I must admit I thought it suited it excellently. The look is understated but perfectly VW, and is agressive enough to ensure it wouldn't look amiss at a track day or race event.
Inside it’s the same story - and there is a definite decision by Volkswagen here to do away with anything that takes away from the driving experience. A lovely ‘80s inspired MK2 Golf-esque gear stick and red trim add to GTI feel - simple heating controls and a lovely flat bottomed steering wheel also ensure there aren’t any distractions when putting the car through its paces. It's stripped down and basic, and more retro than I thought it would feel. Exactly like a GTI should be.
The Polo GTI obviously doesn’t take your breath away with its speed, and there’s no way the car can keep up with the likes of the Fiesta ST, but when driving I couldn’t find a moment it didn’t put a smile on my face. Driving the B-roads of Gloucestershire was a true joy - grip was evident in spades and the chassis performed incredibly well - clearly stiffer, more taught and a huge step up from the factory Polo.
The Polo GTI scampers a bit in terms of the ride. It isn’t the most comfortable of machines when driving hard but you’ll barely notice it - it’s relatively assured cruising and the cabin noise isn’t intrusive. Push the sport button (optional extra) and you’ll get pumped noise through the cabin too - this seems to be a bit of a norm for Volkswagen and I don’t complain about it as much as I thought I would.
This car looks, feels and performs much more like a small Golf GTI than I was expecting. Although only the XDS+ diff is sourced technology from the Polo’s older brother, the car has an exceptionally grown up feel about it, with ample torque and confident road handling abilities. For a car of this size understeer is also well controlled, and it feels happy and assured being pushed and put through its paces. For the money it's an exceptional car, and one that moves the Polo GTI far closer to the Golf in terms of performance and value than I was expecting.