- Doors and Seats
NA
- Engine
NA
- Engine Power
147kW, 320Nm
- Fuel
Petrol 6.1L/100KM
- Transmission
NA
- Warranty
NA
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
Volkswagen Polo GTI 2018 new car review
As we get older we tend to get a little bigger around the middle. But we also get wiser and better prepared to deal with the world around us.
The same is true for the latest Volkswagen Polo GTI. The newest iteration of the German brand’s littlest hot hatch has grown in size but also performance and technology.
This fourth generation Polo GTI now bares a striking resemblance, in mechanical terms at least, to the fifth generation Golf GTI. Both are powered by 2.0-litre turbo engines running through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
This evolution means the latest Polo GTI is bigger, faster and more expensive than ever before. But does that mean it’s better?
- Punchy engine.
- Bigger cabin.
- More technology.
- Higher price.
- No manual option.
- Expensive servicing.
What do you get?
Priced from $30,990 (plus on-road costs) the new Polo GTI is more than $3000 pricier than the previous entry price for the old model. But with the now auto-only Golf GTI priced from $45,490 the Polo will have added appeal to those who can't stretch to its bigger brother.
The new model comes well equipped, adding a layer of technology and style not previously seen in the car. There are the usual elements, like 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, auto headlights and wipers, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and sports seats trimmed in trademark tartan fabric.
There’s also modern conveniences including an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control plus adaptive suspension and autonomous emergency braking.
Extra safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control, are part of a $1400 Driver Assistance pack.
For those with abit more to spend, VW offers two more option packages to elevate the Polo even further. The Sound and Vision package ($1900) adds the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, navigation and Beats sound system while the Luxury pack that costs $3900 brings 18-inch rims, LED headlights, microfleece-trim on heated front seats and a sunroof.
Volkswagen is currently offering a five-year warranty on all new models until the end of 2018, when it will revert to three years of coverage.
Servicing is covered by a capped price scheme for the first five years. While visits are only required every 15,000km or annually, whichever comes first, they are expensive and add up to $3229 over that five year period.
What’s inside?
Volkswagen already produces some of the best interiors in the city car class but the Polo GTI is a step above. From the design to the fit and finish and the space, the GTI looks and feels like a true premium car.
The most obvious difference between the regular Polo and the GTI is the ‘Velvet Red’ inlay that wraps around from the doors and runs across the centre of the dash. Coupled with the thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching and the sports seats, the GTI looks the business. The tartan seat trim may not be to everyone’s taste but it has become an iconic component of the GTI brand.
The optional digital instrument cluster brings a level of technology not previously seen in the baby hot hatch contest, and offers genuine practical advantages over traditional dials, with a variety of displays to choose from, including widescreen navigation.
Space is the other highlight of the new Polo. For this latest generation model the wheelbase has been stretched by 78mm and the car is 69mm wider so it feels noticeably roomier in both the front and rear seats.
The boot is also 71-litres bigger than the old model and can now swallow 305-litres of luggage, which is better than some small cars from the class above.
Under the bonnet
As mentioned earlier, the latest Polo GTI now runs a 2.0-litre engine, replacing the previous model’s 1.8-litre unit. The four-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor is the same as found in the Golf, underlining the increasing similarities between the pair.
In the Polo the engine is tuned to make 147kW of power and 320Nm of torque. It’s paired exclusively to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, with VW deciding to drop the manual gearbox. Claimed fuel use is 6.1-litres per 100km.
To put those numbers in context that’s the same amount of power as the Golf GTI Mk5 while using significantly less fuel - more than 2.0L/100km less.
Not surprisingly that means the new Polo packs serious punch when you put your foot down. For such a small car it offers big performance, although there’s some initial hesitation as the turbo spins up. But once on boost it feels strong through the middle of the rev range thanks to all that torque. It can be easy to forget you’re in a Polo and think you might be driving a Golf GTI such is the performance.
The lack of a manual option will disappoint enthusiasts but the auto does a good job of the dual roles of city runabout and twisty-road tearaway. In the standard Drive mode it shifts smoothly on the move, but still feels jerky at low speeds. Once you slot it into Sport it shifts sharper and will hold gears longer to extract the best from the engine.
On the road
The question raised by the Polo’s growth and new found maturity is has it become too similar to the Golf for its own good?
In many respects the latest generation Polo feels like a Golf from behind the wheel, as the longer wheelbase means it feels more stable and less fidgity on the road than the previous Polo. It also rides with more composure than the old model.
The trade-off is it doesn’t feel quite as agile or edgy as its smaller predecessor when you start throwing it around. The steering is direct and responsive but could do with more feedback to the driver.
Ultimately though it’s hard to argue that overall the new Polo GTI isn’t an improvement, as it easier to live with day-to-day and still quick and fun when you need it to be.
Verdict
More performance, more technology and more space. It may have grown up and lost some of its youthful appeal but it’s hard to argue the new Polo GTI isn’t a step forward.
The biggest obstacle for many will be price. Starting about $30k will put it out of reach for many budding hot hatch drivers, but that is the cost of growing older.
2018 Volkswagen Polo GTI pricing and specifications
Price: From $30,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 147kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1450-4390rpm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.1L/100km
The Competitors
Suzuki Swift Sport
Price: From $24,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 103kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 230Nm at 2500-3500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 6.1L/100km
Our score: 7/10
Renault Clio RS 200 Sport
Price: From $30,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 147kW at 6050rpm
Torque: 260Nm at 2000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 5.9L/100km
Our score: 6.5/10
Ford Fiesta ST
Price: $29,000 plus on-road costs (estimated)
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder
Power: 147kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 290Nm at 1600rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.0 L/100km
Our score: Not yet rated (on sale March 2019)