Well balanced review. I've had one for 7 weeks now and its just a pleasure to drive every time. Many comparisons of these hot hatches focus purely on the track based driving experience, but the truth is these cars are meant to be an everyday car with added performance. When you sit inside a polo it feels well above its class. Theres no way I would swap my GTI for a car that feels slightly better on a track but is more uncomfortable and has a bland interior. I've test driven the Clio RS, and I've sat in the ST and to me there's simply no comparison, the Polo GTI feels like a 45K car, the focus and RS felt very cheap and unrefined - to me anyway.
I live in Australia & have had mine for just 6wks. I opted for the 7 speed DSG auto & love it. Gear changes are super quick and the exhaust makes the 'blarp' sound as it mives into the next cog. Odd though that mine did not come with the red brake calipers!? Had to spray them red myself... No big drama. All around fun to drive & fuel economy is fantastic (I use 98octane)
Great real world review. Glad you pointed out that the suspension setup is perfect for normal roads. I tested an ST Fiesta which was great fun but couldn't live with the over firm ride every day. Got a Polo GTi on order(a very long wait) sp cant wait to see for myself
Great unbiased review…great to hear someone state why this car is better than the ST…i.e. its easier to live with day to day. I collect mine Saturday after an 11 week wait (was quoted 12 weeks). Exactly like this but 5dr + sunroof. I wasn't able to test drive the new Polo GTi before ordering so it will all be new!!!
Still great!!! Day to day it's brilliant...average 35mpg to work, smooth ride with plenty of power to take it out for some weekend fun. Took it over to Europe one weekend with 3 mates too...comfortable the whole drive...stretched its legs a bit on the autobahn too!!! One happy customer 👍
Firstly great job with the review :) Really nicely put together! Have been reading some of the comments as well. Some good, some not so useful! My previous car was a 2007 (57) TT with 2.0 Litre Turbo. I ordered a Polo GTI as it's replacement. I didn't need the size of a Golf and preferred to have a nicely spec'd Polo GTI to a basic Golf GTI. I was really impressed with this car during the test drive. The drive is excellent. Plenty of power and torque combined with a really impressive interior. The quality really is that good. The ride is comfortable. Switching on Sport mode makes it very bumpy on regular roads but then that's not really what where its for. The ride is generally really comfortable and the car feels as quick as the TT (in terms of 0-60). Why did I get this and not another TT? Simple, I'll have rear seats and a decent boot! The looks aren't for everyone obviously. For me it was this or the Fiesta ST Mountune. In the end there wasn't really much competition. Personally I like the slightly understated looks. I don't want to look like a boy racer in my mid 30's. This is a car I can own and run for several years. The car will retain it's value far better. The ST interior simply isn't as nice and realistically I think the golf will be easier to live with. If I was going to be doing lots of track days things would be different as the Fiesta is a mightily fun little car. They're both great cars but this was the one for me. At least until Audi pull their finger out and release the TT Sportback...
Nice video. Although saying to check the regular Polo video for details on boot space etc might not be the best move. The boot space in the GTI is a lot less because they had to put the battery in the boot under the spare wheel. So the boot floor can't be lowered like it can in the regular Polo.
VW started with the Gti. I enjoyed a drive in the ST but don't forget, many wont be aware of the Sporting heritage of the Vauxhall VX badge and if anything, Vauxhall gave us the the VX range long before many were born. Vauxhall Firenza 8.5 sec 1973. Vauxhall Chevette HS/HSR 8.5 sec. The VX definition goes back to when VW's had a maximum speed of 70mph! VW may offer you some things, but heritage is not one of those things. I loved my 5 days with a VXR.
Actually I would love to have this car.. very mature, sexy, non-vulgar, inteligent and practical and enjoyable.. Just had a test drive today.. Love it! This is the car for me.. Being a middle aged man, perhaps even more than Fiesta ST.
Just bought one love it but mpg is shocking when booting it about, i find the steering scary never know if you will make it around a bend not much feed back through the steering wheel , is it just me or anyone else agree ?
I dont believe so. Beyond actually getting it here it would have to meet US standard for vehicle safety. Amber lights and crash safety testing. I have heard rumors the next polo will be coming to the US and I'm absolutely chuffed. Cant wait it gives me a sort of fizzy feeling as James May would say.
I'm from Australia and we don't get the adaptive suspension, only the standard sport suspension- which I believe is geared more to the performance side of things. Have you driven a model without the adaptive option and so able to comment or distinguish between the 2 suspension setups for everyday driving ? P.s. writing to you as our reviewers in Oz aren't so good!
why does no one mention that when you open the rear windows it sounds like you are being attacked by an apache helicopter. And the rear windows don't fully wind down which is plain stupid
Good review. I drive a 13 plate Polo GTi with the 1.4 Twin-charger engine and I am very pleased with this car. I am looking forward to test driving the new 1.8 litre turbo version in the next few weeks. I must say that I am a convert to the DSG gearbox. I do not plan to drive a manual car again.
Well balanced review. I've had one for 7 weeks now and its just a pleasure to drive every time. Many comparisons of these hot hatches focus purely on the track based driving experience, but the truth is these cars are meant to be an everyday car with added performance. When you sit inside a polo it feels well above its class. Theres no way I would swap my GTI for a car that feels slightly better on a track but is more uncomfortable and has a bland interior. I've test driven the Clio RS, and I've sat in the ST and to me there's simply no comparison, the Polo GTI feels like a 45K car, the focus and RS felt very cheap and unrefined - to me anyway.
I live in Australia & have had mine for just 6wks. I opted for the 7 speed DSG auto & love it. Gear changes are super quick and the exhaust makes the 'blarp' sound as it mives into the next cog. Odd though that mine did not come with the red brake calipers!? Had to spray them red myself... No big drama.
All around fun to drive & fuel economy is fantastic (I use 98octane)
Great real world review. Glad you pointed out that the suspension setup is perfect for normal roads. I tested an ST Fiesta which was great fun but couldn't live with the over firm ride every day. Got a Polo GTi on order(a very long wait) sp cant wait to see for myself
Great unbiased review…great to hear someone state why this car is better than the ST…i.e. its easier to live with day to day. I collect mine Saturday after an 11 week wait (was quoted 12 weeks). Exactly like this but 5dr + sunroof. I wasn't able to test drive the new Polo GTi before ordering so it will all be new!!!
ThisIsBarcode Great to hear you enjoyed the review! Let us know how you enjoy the car on Saturday, we're sure you'll have a fun weekend
How is it after a year?
Still great!!! Day to day it's brilliant...average 35mpg to work, smooth ride with plenty of power to take it out for some weekend fun. Took it over to Europe one weekend with 3 mates too...comfortable the whole drive...stretched its legs a bit on the autobahn too!!! One happy customer 👍
Firstly great job with the review :) Really nicely put together!
Have been reading some of the comments as well. Some good, some not so useful!
My previous car was a 2007 (57) TT with 2.0 Litre Turbo. I ordered a Polo GTI as it's replacement. I didn't need the size of a Golf and preferred to have a nicely spec'd Polo GTI to a basic Golf GTI.
I was really impressed with this car during the test drive. The drive is excellent. Plenty of power and torque combined with a really impressive interior. The quality really is that good. The ride is comfortable. Switching on Sport mode makes it very bumpy on regular roads but then that's not really what where its for.
The ride is generally really comfortable and the car feels as quick as the TT (in terms of 0-60). Why did I get this and not another TT? Simple, I'll have rear seats and a decent boot! The looks aren't for everyone obviously. For me it was this or the Fiesta ST Mountune. In the end there wasn't really much competition. Personally I like the slightly understated looks. I don't want to look like a boy racer in my mid 30's. This is a car I can own and run for several years. The car will retain it's value far better. The ST interior simply isn't as nice and realistically I think the golf will be easier to live with. If I was going to be doing lots of track days things would be different as the Fiesta is a mightily fun little car.
They're both great cars but this was the one for me. At least until Audi pull their finger out and release the TT Sportback...
+Philip Jones Thanks for the kind words!
Nice video. Although saying to check the regular Polo video for details on boot space etc might not be the best move. The boot space in the GTI is a lot less because they had to put the battery in the boot under the spare wheel. So the boot floor can't be lowered like it can in the regular Polo.
VW started with the Gti. I enjoyed a drive in the ST but don't forget, many wont be aware of the Sporting heritage of the Vauxhall VX badge and if anything, Vauxhall gave us the the VX range long before many were born. Vauxhall Firenza 8.5 sec 1973. Vauxhall Chevette HS/HSR 8.5 sec. The VX definition goes back to when VW's had a maximum speed of 70mph! VW may offer you some things, but heritage is not one of those things. I loved my 5 days with a VXR.
+Phil Donnelly then go and buy one....
+Rytis Kurcinskas 5 days was enough. I like having a clean licence. I do drive a Vauxhall and a Saab Convertible, both mine :-)
Actually I would love to have this car.. very mature, sexy, non-vulgar, inteligent and practical and enjoyable.. Just had a test drive today.. Love it! This is the car for me.. Being a middle aged man, perhaps even more than Fiesta ST.
Great vid Car keys! Ordered mine up can't wait till it arrives in November! Thanks Car Keys!
+roddy turner Hi Roddy, thanks for the comment. We're glad we could help. Be sure to let us know what you think of it when you get it.
So happy they gone back to manual I hate not having a clutch
Just bought one love it but mpg is shocking when booting it about, i find the steering scary never know if you will make it around a bend not much feed back through the steering wheel , is it just me or anyone else agree ?
Why cant we have this in the states? Seriously you guys get all the fun cars...
dzeeeeko I bet you want the sirocco too? ;)
Yes dammit! I need it in my life. God I really hate living in the states sometimes. :(
dzeeeeko can you import the sirocco?
I dont believe so. Beyond actually getting it here it would have to meet US standard for vehicle safety. Amber lights and crash safety testing. I have heard rumors the next polo will be coming to the US and I'm absolutely chuffed. Cant wait it gives me a sort of fizzy feeling as James May would say.
dzeeeeko I read that about this one and it never happened so don't get your hopes too high!
I'm from Australia and we don't get the adaptive suspension, only the standard sport suspension- which I believe is geared more to the performance side of things. Have you driven a model without the adaptive option and so able to comment or distinguish between the 2 suspension setups for everyday driving ? P.s. writing to you as our reviewers in Oz aren't so good!
What a great review, thanks.
Hair is very popular in GB a la Boris !
Hello from DNR))) Хороший обзор)
why does no one mention that when you open the rear windows it sounds like you are being attacked by an apache helicopter. And the rear windows don't fully wind down which is plain stupid
Equalize the pressure.........
I think it's a good car
Great car....love it
Decent
i would rather the ibiza cupra all day long.
thank god someone else thinks so
the gti is still a very good car though.
Without a doubt! Id love to have a cupra though as there's not many around
Hello
A 2000 year Audi TT with a 1.8 engine makes 225 bhp. So the polo is slow
Sort your hair out. Whats that all about?
VW and quality can't be in one sentence...vw is for poor people.
+Lucky man u are just clueless
lol
Good review. I drive a 13 plate Polo GTi with the 1.4 Twin-charger engine and I am very pleased with this car. I am looking forward to test driving the new 1.8 litre turbo version in the next few weeks.
I must say that I am a convert to the DSG gearbox. I do not plan to drive a manual car again.