Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Can baby hot hatch live up to famous name?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£1,864 off RRP*
Find your Volkswagen Polo
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

VW has at last produced a Polo hot hatch that lives up to the GTI badge. This latest model packs the same subtly eye-catching looks, involving handling and easy-to-access performance as its larger Golf GTI brother. And as with that car, it’s equally at home on a challenging B-road as it is cruising on the motorway. Factor in a well built and spacious cabin, and surprisingly low running costs, and the Polo GTI truly is a dual-character machine. But at around £18,000, it should be.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With a great badge comes great responsibility. Over the years, hot Polos haven’t quite excited UK buyers, never really living up to the promise of the GTI name – certainly not in the way that the flagship Golf has.

See the Polo GTI take on the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Skoda Fabia vRS here:

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68536","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

But this new Polo GTI aims to change all that. And Auto Express has got behind the wheel to deliver its verdict.

It certainly has all the right visual cues – just check out those telephone dial-style alloys and the subtle bodykit, with a contrasting red grille surround.

However, it’s the hi-tech equipment under the bonnet that should make the hottest Polo ever a real contender.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Polo

2016 Volkswagen

Polo

44,131 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £7,699
View Polo
Polo

2017 Volkswagen

Polo

66,196 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £8,599
View Polo
Polo

2026 Volkswagen

Polo

14,977 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,799
View Polo
Polo

2021 Volkswagen

Polo

26,605 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,499
View Polo

Taking pride of place in its arsenal is a 178bhp 1.4-litre TSI supercharged and turbocharged engine, which is hooked up to VW’s seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Combined with a kerbweight of only 1,184kg,
it promises to offer both performance and efficiency.

And it doesn’t disappoint. The unit delivers 250Nm of torque from only 2,000rpm, so there’s plenty of urge at low revs, while the transition from supercharged thrust to high-rev turbo punch is very smooth. The sprint from 0-62mph takes an impressive 6.9 seconds, and it’s easy to access that performance, thanks to the seven-speed DSG box. Neat steering wheel-mounted paddles allow you to shift ratios smoothly and quickly, while downchanges are accompanied by an automated blip of the throttle to add to the drama.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Yet in a way, it’s almost too efficient – a conventional manual gearbox would heighten the feeling of interactivity.

There’s a nice surprise when you come to fill up at the pumps, though, with combined fuel consumption of 47mpg. CO2 emissions of 139g/km mean owners pay £110 for a year’s tax, too.

When the road gets twisty, VW’s clever XDS traction control system comes into its own. It electronically mimics a limited-slip differential to brake the wheel with the least grip and enables the Polo GTI to corner safely and without loss of traction.

What’s more, the steering is well weighted and offers good feedback. Body roll is also virtually non-existent, thanks to firmer springs and dampers.

However, this isn’t at the expense of ride comfort, and the GTI soaks up imperfections in the road with ease. That means the Polo can transform into a comfortable motorway cruiser at higher speeds and, coupled with decent refinement, it really offers a big-car feel.

This is also partly down to the classy cabin, which is packed with soft-touch materials, solid switchgear and neat touches – such as tartan sports seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

It all adds up to a true baby GTI. 

Rival: SEAT Ibiza Cupra
With the same engine and gearbox, the Cupra offers a similar driving experience. It’s not as involving as the Polo, although the big advantage the SEAT has is its price – which undercuts the GTI by £1,500.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £14,998
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,361 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,825 off RRP*Used from £8,904
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025
Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV
Geely EX5 - front

Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV

Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
News
2 Jul 2025