Volkswagen Polo GTI 2019 in-depth review - Carbuyer

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is a sporty hatchback in the same vein as the iconic VW Golf GTI but it takes on smaller rivals from the supermini class, including the Ford Fiesta ST, MINI Cooper S and Renault Clio RS. Ginny puts the most powerful version of the Polo through its paces to see if it can emerge from the shadow of its more famous bigger brother.

Carbuyer makes car buying simple. We're the only automotive brand that's approved by the Plain English Campaign, delivering you clear, concise and easy to understand information about the things that really matter when you're choosing - and buying - your next car.

[maxcartercars]

Not quite sure why all the negative slant on this car... had mine about 3 months now and love driving it... so much fun, blip it around, fast, confident, does what it says on the label without fuss... lovely transmission and engine note especially in sport mode ...my immediately previous car was a Maserati Ghibli which was similarly fast and fun..but just too big to chuck around.. all the SPORTY car you need !!... and not going to cost or loose a fortune.

[lewis]

I've got this car and don't agree with any of the negatives she's said. It has mass amount of power and brakes aren't even needed on a twisty road.

[knowntobehonest]

Volkswagen build there GTI's for everyday use. Not hardcore or very exciting but acceptable for a broad public who are interested in a fast and sporty car. Once rolling the Polo with DSG is very fast and if the power is not enough, the engine has huge tuning potential. For a few hundred pounds 290 bhp is possible.

[TheRustedPixel]

(the interior) "is lacking some flare and inspiration" she said while sitting in a damn RED cockpit. What more do you want?!

[Abc-ytel]

I have one and its the perfect blend of 'sporty weekend B road missile' and 'take you from work and back home in comfort'

The amount of times people have asked me if its a Golf is starting to get boring. Oh and btw, everybody I know, says how nice it looks.

GET ONE!

[Gumball]

1:40...Transmission tunnel in the rear? er, it’s front wheel drive! 😂

[Dan-updo]

I've always liked the Polo, i drive a 6n2 myself. The older i'm getting the more i find them cooler than it's bigger brother the Golf.

[oliverpearson]

I can't think she ever got above 40 mph once.

[stelswhere]

I've had my Polo gti + since August and it is fun, 38 mpg, easy to park and not compromised on long trips. I have tried the Fiesta and the sharper handling is fun but the ride and interior are a let down. The mini is fun with a great interior but the 1.5 engine is more fun than the Cooper S. Less is more with the Mini. My Polo is a bit more 'grown up' but so am I. I would prefer a three door and climate is not standard but it's a great car.

[juusohamalainen]

She has not much to give to us concerning knowhow on cars. Really sorry about this truth.

[ari-pekkamakinen]

”and VW DSG semi-automatic gearbox..” wait, what!?

[MLife]

Wow, great review. That was quite harsh compared to other reviews but still great to watch. Thanks!

[Paul-hjvt]

Who to believe, other reviewers gush over the car. This lady gives it a big MEH

[rholford]

Just a small correction, but, having just bought one, neither the GTI nor the GTI+ comes with SatNav as standard. They do come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard but you can’t move the maps from Google maps across to be displayed in the active info display. I am a bit miffed about this as I was forced to go for a non-factory build as I needed the car well before the 4-5 month delivery window the factor build would have taken and, despite working the dealer network pretty hard could not find one with either satnav or blind spot assist (why don’t features that make the car safer come as standard?!?)

[emmamoosie]

my polo has the red dash trim as well, but that's because it is a polo beats. i would say the new interior and exterior styling isn't bland, and compared to other cars I've driven the cockpit feels fresh, driver orientated and tech-y without being overwhelming. personally i love the red trim but i don't know, maybe I'm biased because i own one already.

[robcarroll]

Hi. Does the red paint fade/lacquer peel? Thanks Rob

[delboy]

A real pity it's not available in 3 door. It looks too family car with 5 doors.

[epistte]

I wish VW would bring this car to the US because it is much closer to in size to the first 2 generations of GTis that I had in college. This would be a fun commuter car and daily driver in 3-door version.

[LJW]

My 22yo daughter bought this car (in white) a month ago with the Lux pack and absolutely LOVES it... Fiesta? well it's just a Ford isn't it...

[chrisabbott]

What the heck is going on with the bare painted area at the back of the rear door windows, on the inside? Is some trim missing?