Volkswagen Polo GTI

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is an excellent choice to consider purchasing if you are searching for a vehicle that is not only entertaining and athletic but also reasonably priced. It has a quick-witted engine and deft handling, which together make it an absolute joy to pilot. Additionally, it is equipped with all the capabilities necessary to keep you connected and comfortable while you are on the road.

How is the Design?

The Volkswagen Polo GTI has an extremely streamlined and athletic appearance thanks to its design. The car has a highly contemporary and fashionable appearance, and there is no denying that it sticks out from the crowd. The new Polo GTI has undergone a few revisions, but to most people's eyes, it still maintains the same familiar profile as its predecessor. The headlights will still have horizontal units with twin beams, the grille will have the same honeycomb pattern, and the fog lights will be located in the same location. Even at the back, things don't change much; the taillights are still roughly square, the license plate is integrated into the bumper, and the exhaust pipes are angled to the left.
The main differences are in the new car's proportions and contouring, which gives it a rounder appearance. There are also changes in the smaller details, such as a double-creased shoulder line, the lower of which runs around the back, and a red pinstripe that is now in the center of the front grille instead of at the bottom. Also brand new are the 18-inch alloy wheels, which, thanks to their precisely cut and angular spokes and steel and black finishes, seem significantly more impressive than the rims of prior cars that were marketed in this segment.

How does it perform?

The beefy 1.8-liter TSI, four-cylinder in-line gasoline engine generates a towering 189 horsepower between 5400 and 6200 revolutions per minute (rpm). The impressively powerful engine has a torque output of 250 Nm between 1,250 and 5,300 revolutions per minute. The power is transferred to the front wheels using an automatic transmission that utilizes DSG technology and has seven gears. The hot hatch can reach its maximum speed of 233 kilometers per hour and can reach 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill in just 7.2 seconds.

Overall, the Volkswagen Polo GTI is an excellent all-rounder that provides a good amount of performance along with a high level of refinement and comfort. It's not hard to understand why it's considered to be one of the best hot hatches currently available on the market.

How’s the Mileage?

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is said to have a fuel economy of 16.34 kilometers per litre. The Volkswagen Polo GTI is an excellent automobile, and it gets decent mileage for a hot hatch. However, be aware that your driving style may influence the final mileage figures.

How’s the Driving Experience?

It is a hot hatch, and as such, you would instantly expect it to have quick pace and sharp handling. To that aim, Volkswagen has endowed the Polo with a lot of extra components over. The Volkswagen Polo GTI is an enjoyable automobile to pilot. It has excellent handling and a pleasant ride in addition to being nimble and speedy. The engine is quick, and the transmission operates without any hiccups. It is quick and responsive, while also being comfortable and simple to operate.

An electronic differential, which VW refers to as XDS, is also included. When a turn is initiated, this differential applies the brakes to the inside wheel, which tricks the standard differential into delivering more power to the outside wheels. The end result is a turn-in that is more precise. Additionally, because it is built on the MQB platform, the chassis is now 28 percent more rigid than it was in the past, which contributes to improved handling stability. The car was quite easy to drive, in contrast to other hot hatches.

Additionally, the vehicle has many drive modes. The Comfort setting maintains a level of lightness and ease, whereas the Sport setting quickens the pace, makes the steering and dampers just a little bit firmer, and also causes the exhaust to crackle, but the effect isn't really striking. You can't keep high revs even when the transmission is in manual mode since the box will shift up a gear. Moving through the gears is quite rapid and smooth, which is characteristic of a Volkswagen DSG, but there is no drama whatsoever. The handling is precise but not very exciting; if you run wide into a corner, all you need to do to bring things back in order is lift your foot off the gas pedal. The driving personality of the Volkswagen Polo GTI may be summed up as follows: it's quite quick and enjoyable, but it's not as outgoing as a Mini. But in general, the Volkswagen Polo GTI is a fantastic small car that is ideal for zipping around town.

What’s the Interior like?

The classic seats and the flat-bottomed steering wheel with the "GTI" emblem and red stitching were the hallmarks of the previous model car. The clocks, vents, doors, and dashboard all had a quite unremarkable appearance. The cabin of the new car, on the other hand, is quite nice looking. The steering wheel has been moved forward, which is a nice touch; however, the rest of the dashboard has been redesigned. The new design is sharp and angular, and it features a large swathe of red that runs the length of the dashboard. This gives the interior a lot of personality without appearing excessive. It has a really contemporary and athletic appearance, and the dashboard and the center console are angled ever-so-slightly toward the driver. This creates the impression that you are sitting in a cockpit.

The fact that the outer edge of the center console is higher than the inner one further highlights the idea that the cockpit is designed with the driver in mind. The front seats are excellent and deep, with sufficient side bolstering. Moving to the back, VW was able to increase the size of the Polo thanks to the modular transverse matrix (MQB), and this is clearly apparent in the rear seating area: there is more than sufficient legroom for people seated here, especially if the driver is on the taller side.

Tech and Infotainment

The brand-new Volkswagen Polo GTI comes standard with a wide variety of the most cutting-edge technological features available. The system features a touchscreen, voice control, and a multi-function steering wheel, all of which may be used to manage the display, which measures 6.5 inches. App-Connect lets you display the contents of your smartphone on the display, while Volkswagen Car-Net provides access to a variety of internet services. Both of these capabilities are included in the package.

The audio setup in the 2018 Volkswagen Polo GTI has been improved, and it now features eight speakers, in addition to a subwoofer and an amplifier. There is a Beats Audio system with 10 speakers that can be purchased as an add-on if you want the sound quality to be even greater.
The Volkswagen Polo GTI features keyless entry and start, in addition to parking sensors located both in front of and behind the vehicle. The adaptive cruise control is an available feature that maintains a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, and the lane keeping assist assists you in remaining in your lane. The Volkswagen Polo GTI is a sporty and affordable hatchback option that doesn't scrimp on equipment or the driving experience. Its infotainment system is uncomplicated and simple to operate, and it is equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink as standard technology features. The GTI also features a music system with six speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and two USB ports as standard equipment.

Safety Equipment

When it comes to safety equipment, the Volkswagen Polo GTI is outfitted to a high standard. It has a standard rear-view camera, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and six airbags. In addition to that, it comes with a plethora of extra safety measures like monitoring for blind spots, assistance for staying in your lane, and adaptive cruise control.

Which variant to buy?

There is one model available for this automobile, and there is only one engine available. The GTI is the sole variant that you should take a closer look at.

Which Cars Compete in this Segment?

In the world of hatchbacks, the Volkswagen Polo GTI is a bit of an outlier. It's significantly more expensive than most of its rivals, and it doesn't offer as much space or practicality. However, what it does offer is impressive performance, handling, and comfort – making it a popular choice for drivers who want a fun and stylish car that's still small and manageable.

So which cars does the Polo GTI compete with? You can only have the Fiat Abarth Punto as a major rival. The MINI Cooper can be a rival, but it is quite expensive, to say the least.

Verdict (Value for Money?)

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is great value for money. It's a well-built car with a solid engine and plenty of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a small hatchback.

We particularly like the Polo GTI's interior, which is well-designed and features high-quality materials. The car is also very practical, with space in the back for passengers and luggage. On the road, the Polo GTI is nimble and fun to drive. It's not the fastest car in its class but it's still quick enough to enjoy yourself, and it handles well too. Overall, we think the Volkswagen Polo GTI is excellent value for money and would recommend it to anyone looking for a hot hatchback. Of course, the definition of value here is subjective. If you are talking about the prices, then they may seem excessively high, especially in a market like India. However, for those who want driving performance, power, and acceleration within a compact package, this is it! So that is where the value bit comes into play. And of course, it does give you a fair share of eyeballs on the road too.