[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/volkswagen-polo-gti-reviews\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/volkswagen-polo-gti-reviews\/","headline":"VW Polo GTI – what the critics think","name":"VW Polo GTI – what the critics think","description":"Sticking the letters GTI behind anything is a surefire way to ramp up interest in any car. It doesn\u2019t even have to be a Volkswagen; the label has been applied to great effect with several Peugeot models (albeit with a lowercase \u2018i\u2019). But in most cases, you think GTI and your mind goes to VW, most probably the Golf GTI. This petrolhead favourite has been around for four decades so naturally that\u2019s the label\u2019s default, but it will appear on […]","datePublished":"2018-01-25","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/VW-Polo-GTI-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/VW-Polo-GTI-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/volkswagen-polo-gti-reviews\/","about":["HOT HATCH","Volkswagen"],"wordCount":504,"keywords":["hot hatch","Polo GTI","volkswagen","VW Golf GTI","VW Polo","VW Polo GTI","VW Up GTI"],"articleBody":"Sticking the letters GTI behind anything is a surefire way to ramp up interest in any car.It doesn\u2019t even have to be a Volkswagen; the label has been applied to great effect with several Peugeot models (albeit with a lowercase \u2018i\u2019). But in most cases, you think GTI and your mind goes to VW, most probably the Golf GTI.This petrolhead favourite has been around for four decades so naturally that\u2019s the label\u2019s default, but it will appear on VW\u2019s most compact car – the Up – this year, and of course, the Polo GTI is what we\u2019re focusing on today.The sixth-generation Polo emerged in 2017 and now comes the GTI variant, but is it much cop?What\u2019s under the bonnet?Very promising stuff. The new Polo GTI pinches the Golf GTI\u2019s two-litre turbocharged petrol engine.The bad news is this 1984cc 16-valve four-cylinder unit has been detuned from 227bhp to 197bhp. That said, it can still clear a zero to 62mph sprint in 6.7 seconds, picking up speed until it hits 147mph.What\u2019s it like to drive?\u2018Rather tasty\u2019, to use the words of Car Magazine.They note how the Polo GTI\u2019s emphasis is on precision whilst maintaining the maturity and comfort of the standard car.In terms of handling, Car Magazine didn\u2019t want to describe the steering as \u2018feeling alive in your hands\u2019, but they did comment on the car\u2019s immediate response with none of the dead-centre vagueness that often comes with electric assistance. The result was crisp and punchy handling.Every review seemed impressed but trust the reliably pernickety Autocar to highlight the minor sour points.They said that while the Polo GTI’s outright performance felt fast, it doesn\u2019t take your breath away. Despite admitting that most fast superminis don\u2019t leave their drivers breathless, some \u2018rev more keenly\u2019 than the Polo GTI above 5000rpm.Autocar did like its peak torque though, something that makes it easier to drive quickly than its key rivals – namely the Ford Fiesta ST and Mini Cooper S.Driving the seven-speed auto version (a six-speed manual is due mid-2018), Auto Express said the transmission shifts swiftly enough and made the process of going quickly impressively easy, however, changes felt a little clunky at low speeds.How\u2019s the interior?\u2018Dazzling\u2019 is how Car Magazine put it. The car\u2019s new MQB A0 platform has allowed for a larger car and hence, a more spacious cabin. VW is clearly gunning for younger buyers with sharper looks, with \u2018a bright, colourful and exceedingly modern environment\u2019.So is it worth getting?Yes. Every review we found that carried a rating scored it four out of five stars.Car Magazine hailed it as the \u2018best driving Polo GTI yet\u2019 and a \u2018superbly capable all-rounder\u2019, while Auto Express said it was \u2018the most impressive performance Polo ever\u2019.Is the VW Polo GTI on your test drive list? Let us know what you think of it down there in the comments. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Hot Hatch Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/hot-hatch-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"VW Polo GTI – what the critics think","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-hatch-cars\/volkswagen-polo-gti-reviews\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]