Slightly hot hatches are in vogue at the moment. From the Fiesta ST to the Hyundai i20 N, there are more options for budget-driven drivers than ever before.
Then there are Volkswagen Polo GTI. Like the rest of the Polo Range, it has been given a new look for 2022, more interior technology… and more to go with it.
Like the larger Golf GTI, the smallest Volkswagen performance car on offer in Australia now occupies a very different price position from its predecessors.
The GTI carried the 21 31,990 price before the on-road as of 2018 and even after adjusting prices to cripple the industry due to shipping delays, chip shortages and COVID shutdowns, the 2021 model wore a $ 32,890 sticker before the on-road.
Despite sharing its engine with the pre-updated model, the 2022 Polo GTI has a sticker that is as embarrassing as আগে 40,000 before on-road.
Can this little hot hatchback justify its big price?
How much does Volkswagen Polo GTI cost?
The new Polo GTI has a starting price আগে 38,750 before on-road costsOr লাগ 40,250 optional sound and tech packages.
You can also opt for a panoramic sunroof for an additional $ 1500, which brings the list price to আগে 41,750 before the on-road cost.
No matter how you swing it, it’s a lot of money for a polo. It’s about what you would pay for a manual golf GTI in 2018, and more comfortable than Ford’s demand for a Fiesta ST (আগে 33,490 before on-road) or a Hyundai i20 N ($ 32,490 before on-road).
Volkswagen would argue that the Polo is more of an adult offer than any of those cars (we would agree). Its rivals will point out their higher engine output and more attractive dynamics (also fair).
How about the Volkswagen Polo GTI on the inside?
It’s still a polo, that’s for sure.
The straight-line and solid build quality doesn’t exactly scream the GTI, but the steering wheel and gear levers have a red flash, and the tartan trim on the seats is instantly recognizable.
Volkswagen generally enjoys fundamental rights, and the Polo GTI is no exception. The driving position is excellent for a body of all shapes and sizes, while the flat-bottom steering wheel can be lifted from a Tiguan or Tuareg.
The standard in Polo is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster capable of mimicking old day clocks or creating original data in interesting new ways.
It’s a mirror image of what high-end Volkswagen products have to offer, and blows away what else has to offer in the classroom – especially with the big screen and mapping capabilities. Similarly the infotainment system, which in more basic camouflage now offers wireless smartphone mirroring and wireless phone charging.
In terms of the price of the Polo (and the i20 N has got an even bigger screen standard) it’s a shame that Volkswagen charges more for a 9.2-inch touchscreen.
The system is easy to use, and responds strongly to inputs. Although it is a touch-based gloss black unit, the Volkswagen is stuck with a suitable climate control binoculars here.
Even with the fancy curtains and ambient lighting, we would still prefer some more color inside. Gray and black are the dominant colors, and no amount of big screen can change it. The previous Polos dashboard featured matte red trim, for example, we’d like to see here.
Storage is decent due to the small size of the polo. Below the padded central armrest is a wallet-sized slot, a cupholder next to the handbrake, a decent door bin, and a space at the bottom of the dashboard with your wireless phone charger.
The rear seat space is impressive, this polo is actually the same size as the outer Mk4 Golf.
The dual USB-C ports are a nice touch, though a fold-down central armrest or air vent will make it even bigger there. You will find two ISOFIX anchor points and three top tether mounts for baby seats
The back door is not only beautiful and wide open, it has ample headroom and adequate legroom for adults to sit comfortably so that children or adolescents will be able to spend some time there without complaint.
Golf covers it, but Volkswagen claims there is some truth in the Polo Corolla knocking on the door and the Mazda 3 hatch in the back.
Boot space is a claim 351 litersExpanding 1125L The second row with folds. It’s a spacious, flat space that will swallow a few large suitcases and hide a full-size extra wheel under its floor.
What’s under the bonnet?
Power comes from a version of the Polo GTI EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine Which serves countless Volkswagen Group products.
This tune makes it 147 kW Of power and 320Nm Torque, combined with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It has a front-wheel drive, front-axle brake-based “differential” that helps control the engine’s outputs.
Fuel usage is claimed 6.5 liters per 100 kmAnd the polo more expensive drink 95 RON premium unleaded.
Abroad, the Polo GTI now has a 152kW tune of the same engine and a seven-speed DSG.
Since the front axle has no mechanical locking differential, there are some steering lock locks to control the engine’s outputs using a brake-based torque vectoring system instead of the Polo.
How does the Volkswagen Polo GTI run?
Volkswagen GTI products are known as polished all-rounders, and GTI maintains that reputation.
Adjustable dampers set in comfort and in the more comfortable tone of the powertrain, it is more comfortable passenger than any of its manual rivals. For 18-inch wheels for a small car, on some heavily potholed roads outside Sydney, it does an impressive job of keeping the driver isolated.
The steering is light, and the dual-clutch transmission is freely shuffled to a longer ratio and leans on the engine torque to keep you running. There’s a hint of a bark from the engine when you put your foot down, but it doesn’t really scream.
In sports jolts, however, the adaptive dampers become stiffer and the throttle becomes sharper. More noise from the engine, more weight at the steering, and a lower gear to keep you stuck to the torque of the 2.0-liter motor in the transmission.
Keep your feet down and give it a hard push back, supported by a raspy bark from the drain. It doesn’t jingle like the three-pot engine on the Fiesta ST, and the i20N doesn’t have the 1.6’s bombastic character, but it’s every bit faster.
Since the front axle has no mechanical locking differential, there are some steering lock locks to control the engine’s outputs using a brake-based torque vectoring system instead of the Polo.
You can widen the car when you get too heavy at the throttle while soaking wet, and our short launch drive never felt like the front axle was able to lock you up and pull you from the same angle as the old ones – fashionable with their mechanical differential i20 N or FiST.
When you are in less of a hurry, the polo remains the smallest hatchback that has become the largest for driving on the highway. IQ. The Drive Suite Assist gently pulls the car back into its lane when you drift, and the adaptive cruise smoothly maintains a gap with the car in front.
Like everything else in the Volkswagen Group, it will not overtake from the left lane unless you accelerate manually. This is a clever feature in Europe, where lane discipline is one ThingsBut it is less helpful on Australian highways.
We’re not sure how many GTI owners will track their car, as it’s more of an all-rounder than a track star, but we’ve pushed the polo for a few laps around the dry Ludenham raceway.
With a mere mortal behind the wheel it seems fast and efficient; Its willing to tighten the line gently when you return from throttle, but its compact hatchback is not as playful as rivals. When a TCR driver is flat out, it seems much more alive.
It’s still more of a road car than a track car, but the Polo GTI isn’t out of depth when there’s no speed limit.
Did you get
Polo GTI Highlights:
- GTI body trim and metallic paint
- Tartan interior trim
- Alarm system
- Keyless entry and start
- 18-inch alloy wheel
- Adaptive suspension and drive mode selection
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Voice control
- Sports seats
- Sport steering wheel and paddle
The Sound & Technology Package (1500) Comes with a 9.2-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation and the same six-speaker Beats sound system as the style.
It is from low grade to above specification.
Polo Life Highlights:
- 8.0-inch digital instrument binoculars
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired)
- DAB + digital radio
- Wireless phone charging
- Parking sensors, front and rear
- Reversing camera
- Cruise control (not adapted)
- LED head- and tail lights
- 15-inch alloy wheel
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Comfortable fabric seat trim
- Automatic headlights and windscreen wiper
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Front center armrest
Polo style adds:
- Comfortable sports front seats
- Digital Cockpit Pro (10.25in Instrument)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Travel Assist (Adaptive Cruise + Lane Centering)
- Blind-spot observation
- Rear cross-traffic warning
- Automatic reverse parking assistance
- Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam
- Premium LED tail light with scrolling indicator
- Dual-zone climate control
- 16-inch alloy wheel
- Fog light in front
- Interior ambient light
Is Volkswagen Polo GTI safe?
Polo has achieved one Five star ANCAP security rating Twice it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, and recently re-tested under strict 2022 Protocol
The update ranks behind scores of 94 percent for adult occupant protection, 80 percent for child occupant protection, 70 percent for risky road user protection and 70 percent for safety assistance.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Front, front, center and screen airbags
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian and cyclist identification
- Lane-keep assistance
- Reversing camera
- Driver fatigue detection
- Front and rear parking sensors
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts are part of an alternative package to Base Polo Life, and standard and style of GTI, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Travel Assist – which combine the adaptive cruise and lane centering functions for CMI. Autonomous highway driving.
How much does it cost to run a Volkswagen Polo GTI?
Volkswagen Polo covered by a Five year, unlimited-kilometer warrantyWith five years of roadside assistance.
Volkswagen offers three- and five-year servicing plans for its vehicles.
The cost of a three year pack $ 1200And a five-year pack will pay you back 2300.
CarExpert’s Volkswagen Polo fights the GTI
The new Polo GTI is still the biggest, most comfortable little hot hatch money can buy.
It’s much more mature than Ford and Hyundai’s rivals, but it can put a smile on your face if the road becomes attractive.
Even if all the technology of the Volkswagen Stable is thrown into it, that price is hard to surpass. For all its power, the Polo looks especially expensive alongside the i20 N – especially if you pay 00 1500 to get a full-size infotainment system with satellite navigation.
There are applications, such as fun, but even by modern standards the GTI is an expensive little hatchback.
Click image for full gallery
More: Everything Volkswagen Polo