Volkswagen Polo GTI

Costs

Variable servicing dependent on vehicle use means those covering lower mileages will benefit from even lower running costs, and the GTI requires no extra maintenance. Insurance and fuel costs will be higher however, and enthusiastic drivers may find themselves replacing front tyres more often.

Space and practicality

Inside the Polo provides a respectable amount of room, with decent headroom even with the high seating position. Front seat passengers also have plenty of legroom. In the rear, headroom is also good, and although there is less legroom for back seat passengers, only those sat behind very tall passengers will suffer. The boot is well shaped with a low loading lip and minimal intrusion from the rear lights, and with a 270 litre capacity with the seats up it will be enough for most needs. Inside there are many storage areas of various shapes and sizes, including a fair sized glovebox.

Controls and display

The simple design of the dashboard with clear markings makes it easy to use, with most of the controls grouped in the centre console. The instrument dials are smart, with attractive red needles and illumination.

Comfort

To be a true GTI the Polo needs to combine B-road entertainment with urban comfort, and to a certain degree it succeeds. Although the ride is firmer than regular models it rarely becomes crashy or uncomfortable. This sharpens the handling noticeably, and although it resists roll well it is not as sharp as some of its rivals. The 1.8-litre engine has enough power to move the Polo along sharply, but it never feels as quick as it could do, and the noise is uninspiring.

Car security

The standard fitment of an engine immobiliser and central locking are reassuring, and it is also fitted with an anti-hijack system. All the standard fitment stereo units are double sized to make fitment impossible in other vehicles, and are security coded.

Car safety

Safety features include twin front airbags as standard, with the option of curtain and side airbags. All models have ABS fitted as standard, while ESP is fitted on the GTI, and available on other models as an option.

Driver appeal

To be a true GTI the Polo needs to combine B-road entertainment with urban comfort, and to a certain degree it succeeds. Although the ride is firmer than regular models it rarely becomes crashy or uncomfortable. This sharpens the handling noticeably, and although it resists roll well it is not as sharp as some of its rivals. The 1.8-litre engine has enough power to move the Polo along sharply, but it never feels as quick as it could do, and the noise is uninspiring.

Family car appeal

In five-door form the Polo would make an excellent family car, although a family with more than four members might find it too small for their needs. Two Isofix mountings are fitted as standard, with the option of an integrated child seat and deactivation of the passenger side and front airbags.

First car appeal

Although the Polo is usually a good first car, the increased costs and performance of the GTI version make it less suitable for the inexperienced.

Quality and image

This is one area where the Polo excels against its rivals. Although the Polo sets a high standard of quality in its own right, the image of its bigger sister models like the Golf and Passat filter down, making it a default choice for some buyers. The Polo's image borrows heavily from that of the Golf GTI, and is therefore likely to have a greater appeal than the regular Polo models.

Accessibility

With a high roofline and solid, chunky door handles, gaining entry to the Polo is effortless. Rear seat passengers are also well catered for, although the amount of space in the footwell is relatively restricted.

Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment)

Upgraded from the previous model, the Polo's standard fitment stereo system is a radio and CD player with eight speakers. Well-labelled buttons and a reasonably sized display make it easy to use, while the sound quality is of a good standard. A sat-nav unit is also available as an option, although this leads to many buttons on a relatively small unit and the monochrome display can be hard to read.

Colours and trim

The quality of the Polo's interior appears to be good, although some components do feel relatively cheap to touch. Despite this, the interior is well constructed and would stand up to many miles of hard use. The abundance of grey inside is a downside, although the striped seat trim unique to the GTI model is a welcome improvement.

Parking

A short rear overhang makes reversing into spaces straightforward, with a clear view around the car from all the interior mirrors. Parking sensors are an option on all models.

Spare wheel

Tyre inflation kit fitted beneath the boot floor.