22/12/2018
VW Polo GTI: A Comprehensive Review of Fuel, Performance, and More
It can be tough being a little brother sometimes – especially when your big bro is captain of the football team, dux of his class, and a bit of a hit at the nightclub. So it goes for Volkswagen's Polo GTI, born in the shadow of its older and more experienced sibling, the Golf GTI. Don't feel too bad for it, though, because like most young 'uns, the Polo GTI has a few tricks up its sleeve, offering a compelling blend of performance, practicality, and style that punches well above its weight.
Design and Exterior Appeal
Add a bodykit and a nice set of rims, and that'd very amply describe the differences between the standard issue Polos and the subtly modified GTI version. The front and rear bars were updated in early 2015, along with the 17-inch Parabolica rims and optional new LED headlights and daytime lamps. The taillight lenses are also tinted, giving the Polo GTI a distinctly sportier and more aggressive stance. The overall shape is not dissimilar to the sharper and more angular lines of all modern VWs, including the iconic Golf and the sophisticated Passat, showcasing a cohesive and contemporary design language.
Practicality and Interior Comfort
Inside, the distinctive Clark patterned sports seats are standard, providing both comfort and a touch of classic GTI flair. A leather-wrapped, flat-bottom tilt-and-reach-adjustable steering wheel ensures a comfortable and engaging driving position. Black headlining and chrome trim also separate the GTI from its more humble brethren, adding a touch of premium feel. The five-door configuration enhances its practicality, with 60/40 split-fold rear seats that fold (almost) flat, creating a versatile cargo space. With the seats up, there's 204 litres of luggage space behind the rear pews, pushing out to a respectable 882 litres with the seats down. We were able to cram in a week's worth of groceries in the diminutive space with little fuss. A space-saver tyre hides under the boot floor, a common feature in many compact cars.
Rear-seat room is surprisingly generous, even for taller occupants (up to 187cm), thanks to scalloped front seat backs, a squared-off roofline, and decent toe room. The manual-adjust front seats are narrow but still supportive, and cleverly include storage drawers hidden underneath, adding to the car's thoughtful practicality. While the Polo lacks extensive storage in the rear doors, it will take 1.25-litre bottles in the front doors, along with a pair of small cups conveniently located under the centre stack.
Pricing and Feature Highlights
The Polo GTI is available in two main variants: the traditional six-speed manual, starting at $27,490, and the more technologically advanced seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, priced at $29,990. Equipment levels are generally healthy for a compact hatch in this price bracket, though some key items have been moved onto optional packages, which is a common trend in the automotive industry.
Standard features include automatic lights and wipers, an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatible Bluetooth-equipped multimedia system, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a rear-view camera, and an alarm system. However, for those seeking advanced driver aids, the $1700 Driver Assistance Package is necessary to gain satellite navigation and front/rear parking sensors. A $3300 Luxury Package adds desirable features such as leather/Alcantara seats, a panoramic sunroof, and premium LED headlights. For those who prefer a different hue, metallic paint is a $500 option if the standard red or white is not your preferred colour choice.
Engine and Transmission Specifications
At the heart of the Polo GTI lies its potent 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. This powerplant is based on the renowned EA888 2.0-litre unit found in the Golf GTI, among many other Volkswagen models, and incorporates a host of refinements that are set to trickle down into other VW engines. Known internally as a 'toolkit' engine, the 1.8-litre unit is nearly six kilograms lighter than the 1.4-litre twin-charged unit it replaced, contributing to improved efficiency and performance. The piston bores are not sleeved to reduce capacity; it's a genuine re-casting job, signifying a robust engineering approach.
A smaller turbocharger, compared to the one in the Golf GTI, helps to manage the power output to a spirited 141kW. Furthermore, a suite of new fuel-saving technologies, including a clever combination of direct and indirect fuel injection (utilising two injectors per cylinder), a direct-mount water-cooled exhaust manifold, and other advanced systems, work together to reduce both emissions and fuel consumption. The 1272kg GTI is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in a brisk 6.7 seconds, showcasing its hot hatch credentials.
Interestingly, while the power output for both the manual and DSG versions is listed at 141kW, there's a notable difference in torque. The seven-speed DSG variant is rated at 250Nm of torque, available across a broad band from 1250-5300rpm. The six-speed manual, however, delivers a significantly healthier 320Nm of torque, albeit across a slightly narrower band of 1450-4200rpm. This difference in torque delivery can translate to a more engaging and responsive driving experience in the manual version.
Fuel Consumption: Real-World vs. Official Figures
Volkswagen officially lists the fuel consumption for the DSG-equipped Polo GTI at a frugal 5.7L/100km combined. However, our week-long test drive of the dual-clutch automatic version revealed figures closer to 8.5L/100km. This discrepancy highlights the common reality that real-world fuel economy can vary significantly based on driving style, conditions, and the inherent nature of performance-oriented vehicles. For those who prefer a more traditional driving experience, the manual transmission, which was not available on the previous generation of the Polo GTI, can return a combined figure of 6.1L/100km. It's important to note that the Polo GTI's fuel tank capacity is 45 litres of premium unleaded petrol.
Driving Dynamics and Handling
The Polo GTI's chassis has also undergone a significant makeover to enhance its sporty character. Up front, stiffer steering arm linkages and a beefier anti-roll bar have augmented the MacPherson strut suspension arrangement, improving steering precision and reducing body roll. The rear torsion beam has also been tweaked, featuring redesigned mounting bushings that provide up to three times more stiffness in side-to-side (lateral) loading, without negatively impacting vertical compliance, or in simpler terms, ride comfort. This thoughtful engineering ensures a balanced and engaging driving experience.
The GTI sits 10mm lower at the front and 15mm lower at the rear when measured against its standard Polo stablemates, contributing to a lower centre of gravity and improved handling. The key chassis innovation, however, is the introduction of two-stage adaptive dampers. Developed by renowned damper builders Bilstein, these hydrostatic shocks are electronically linked to up to four other adjustable driving parameters. These include steering feel, throttle mapping, DSG shift modes, and even an (admittedly unusual) internal noise augmenter. Pressing the 'Sport' button on the dashboard firms up the suspension, sharpens throttle response, and makes the exhaust note more aggressive. Holding the 'Sport' button for three seconds further enhances the experience by raising the limits of the stability control system and completely disengaging the traction control, allowing for a more spirited driving experience.
The Polo GTI excels not only in spirited driving on twisty roads but also in everyday usability. It scores the electronic limited-slip front differential from the Golf GTI, along with its torque-vectoring mode. This system can subtly brake the inside front wheel during cornering, without interrupting engine power, to help the Polo turn more sharply and intuitively, making it feel more agile and responsive. The new 1.8-litre engine is vocal and willing, with plenty of power available throughout the rev range, although the artificial engine noise piped into the cabin can become somewhat droney during prolonged periods of acceleration. Overall, the GTI feels peppy, lively, and eager for action. It's definitely not as settled or refined as a Golf GTI, but that's part of its distinct appeal; it feels more raw and alive under your fingertips and backside, embodying the true spirit of a hot hatch.
Safety Features and Ratings
Volkswagen has made a welcome improvement by moving the rear-view camera from the options list to standard fitment, enhancing safety and convenience. However, the Polo GTI still misses out on some of the latest-generation safety features that are becoming increasingly common in the market, such as autonomous city emergency braking, and these are not even offered as optional extras. Despite this, the Polo GTI still achieves a commendable five-star ANCAP safety rating. This is thanks to a comprehensive suite of safety features, including six airbags (front, side, and curtain bags for front and rear occupants), post-collision braking to help prevent secondary accidents, and the aforementioned rear-view camera.
Ownership Costs and Warranty
Volkswagen offers a fixed-price service structure for the Polo for six years, providing cost predictability for owners. The most expensive scheduled service is pegged at $722, occurring at the four-year mark. It's important to note that consumables like brake fluid and pollen filters are not included in this fixed-price plan. All Polos are backed by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a standard offering in the Australian market and provides peace of mind for new car buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much fuel does a VW Polo GTI take?
The VW Polo GTI has a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres.
Q2: What is the official combined fuel consumption of the Polo GTI?
The official combined fuel consumption for the DSG-equipped Polo GTI is 5.7L/100km, while the manual version is rated at 6.1L/100km.
Q3: What is the engine size of the Polo GTI?
The Polo GTI is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
Q4: How does the manual Polo GTI differ in torque from the DSG version?
The manual version offers 320Nm of torque, while the DSG version has 250Nm.
Q5: Does the Polo GTI come with parking sensors as standard?
No, front and rear parking sensors are part of the optional Driver Assistance Package.
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