What’s not?
- It the sporting top end Polo and near £20K pricing inevitably reflects that.
- Curiously, the Polo GTI has better eco numbers with the (more expensive) 7-speed DSG auto box in situ. As in 50.4 mpg and 129 g/km vs 47.1 mpg and 139 g/km for this 6-speed manual car.
- BIK is 22% (£4526) with this manual GTI, versus 20% (£4144) for the DSG model.
- £130 VED compared to £0 VED for the DSG Polo GTI.
- Meantime, the DSG box is an extra £1245….
- Cabin quality and presentation exceptionally high, but with black roof lining (on our test car), the cabin was oppressively dark and gloomy.
- In terms of corporate car park kudos, likely always to be in the shadow of the more famous/glamorous Golf GTI
Verdict for the VW Polo GTI 6spd manual 5dr
The Volkswagen Polo is one of the acknowledged class acts in today’s compact class. Quality, refinement, practicality, attention to detail, it’s a complete everyday package. As a business car, with all the back up associated with the VW badge, the Polo also makes its case.
The Polo GTI builds on all that, adding speed, looks and an impressively high calibre, sports chassis. It’s a very well sorted, quick, fun, all-rounder.
Though well equipped, some features such as sat/nav are still extra, however, and though quite some way up in terms of cost compared to the normal 1.0-1.4 Polo models, we’d say it’s worth it, if budget permits. This really is a cracking small car and all-but reimbodient of the original, groundbreaking Golf GTI of 1976 (as those of a certain age will wistfully recall…).
On the business car front, running costs and BIK are actually more favourable if you spec the 7-speed DSG box, but as that is £1245 option, you need to crunch the numbers to see which is the better company car deal over time.
Can’t quite run to a Golf GTI on the fleet? This smaller Polo GTI is a highly effective alternative….
