Current Polo GTi Versus Previous Golf R

[Ian T]

Hi coming from 6 years of driving a Golf 7.5 R (so 310PS) I was expecting this Polo GTi to be somewhat of a disappointment but the opposite is true.
I’ve leased the Polo as I did the Golf (yes for six years) and took a stock car (on a great deal) so missing some extras.

Things I miss about the Golf:

Rear view camera (although I told people that I didn’t use it when I had the Golf I now realise that I did glance at it more than I thought)
KESSY, I keep forgetting to take the key out of my pocket to unlock the Polo and use it in the Barrel to start it up. A massive downgrade for me
Auto Hold (really useful for a quick ‘pull away’ at junctions etc)
Looks - Lapiz Blue and the 19” Spielberg alloys that always looked bigger than they actually were for some reason
I know a bit sad at the age of 61, the pops and bangs from the exhaust.

Things I like about my Polo:

Despite being around 105PS down on power and 2 seconds slower to 62, the Polo genuinely doesn’t feel slower at all. On given sections of road and despite not exceeding 4K revs (as I’m running it in) I’m easily achieving the same speeds per RPM.
The ride is actually more compliant over rough surfaces and potholes etc
In the dry at least, it handles just as well as the Golf despite being only FWD and actually (being lighter) feels more agile somehow.
The DSG box in auto mode feels more responsive to your needs at any given time compared to the Golf
The tech, obviously, is more modern even if lack certain features that the Golf had like POIs on the Nav for example

Things I don’t like about my Polo:

I know it’s my fault for getting from stock but the 17” ‘Parker’ wheels look bloody awful in my opinion. I’ve got them up for sale right now and as soon as I can find a decent set of 18” I intend to swap them
The Apple Car Play just does not work either wired or wireless. In fairness in the Golf it had to be wired so I never used it anyway but because it’s a feature that should work it just annoys me.

Overall:
I’m surprisingly impressed

[MikeDO]

Interesting comparison.

The thing I miss most moving from my previous car (Hyundai I30N) is the lack of a proper LSD. The XDS system on the Polo is just not that good in my opinion. Certainly no where near as progressive as a proper LSD. The Focus ST's that I've had in the past have used a similar system to the Polo GTI and that seemed to me to be set up a bit better.

Though I to have decided (similar to yourself) in your Golf R, that the Polo GTI in 90% of driving scenarios is just as quick as the I30N was. And day-to-day, it's far easier to live with.

I hope you continue to enjoy your new car and "yes" I agree that the stock 17in wheels are absolutely horrible to look at.

[SRGTD]

Agree, it’s an interesting comparison.

Not the Golf R, but I’ve seen comparisons made between the Polo GTI and the Golf GTI in the past in terms of price and the overall package. The conclusion has been that the Polo GTI probably gives you around 90% of what you get with the Golf GTI but for around 76% of the price of a Golf GTI (based on current list price of both cars). So if you can manage with a little less space and standard kit in the Polo, a slightly less plush interior and a bit less useable performance, then that makes the Polo GTI good value for money and a good choice IMHO.

I also agree on the alloys; aesthetically, the optional 18” Faro alloys look better than the 17” standard Parker’s. However, some will prefer the slightly more compliant ride that you get with 17” alloys and 215/45 R17 tyres with a higher sidewall compared to 18” alloys and 215/40 R18 tyres (I went for aesthetics over comfort in my pre-facelift GTI+ and had the 18” alloys).

[lancslad1985]

Just a thought, if you’re leasing the car don’t you have to return it in original condition/spec? So with the Parker’s? I never found the Parker’s that bad and they were much more comfortable than the 18” option in both my polo gti. Both my gti also had kessy and I had a gti plus followed by the facelift gti. Did you you get the non plus gti?

[SRGTD]

Just a thought, if you’re leasing the car don’t you have to return it in original condition/spec? So with the Parker’s? I never found the Parker’s that bad and they were much more comfortable than the 18” option in both my polo gti. Both my gti also had kessy and I had a gti plus followed by the facelift gti. Did you you get the non plus gti?

That’s a very good point about leasing and returning the car to original spec at the end of the lease. It might be less of an issue if @Ian T fits OEM VW 18” Faro alloys as replacements, but they’ll probably be quite expensive to buy. @Ian T; worth checking the terms / conditions in your lease agreement relating to the end of lease return of the vehicle. As @lancslad1985 has said, it’s likely it needs to be returned with the original wheels fitted.

I’ve got aftermarket alloys on my GTI+ but I’ve got the original alloys in storage that the car came with; they’ll go back on the car when I sell it.

[Ian T]

Just a thought, if you’re leasing the car don’t you have to return it in original condition/spec? So with the Parker’s? I never found the Parker’s that bad and they were much more comfortable than the 18” option in both my polo gti. Both my gti also had kessy and I had a gti plus followed by the facelift gti. Did you you get the non plus gti?

No mate just a standard one that was in stock

[Ian T]

Just a thought, if you’re leasing the car don’t you have to return it in original condition/spec? So with the Parker’s? I never found the Parker’s that bad and they were much more comfortable than the 18” option in both my polo gti. Both my gti also had kessy and I had a gti plus followed by the facelift gti. Did you you get the non plus gti?

That’s a very good point about leasing and returning the car to original spec at the end of the lease. It might be less of an issue if @Ian T fits OEM VW 18” Faro alloys as replacements, but they’ll probably be quite expensive to buy. @Ian T; worth checking the terms / conditions in your lease agreement relating to the end of lease return of the vehicle. As @lancslad1985 has said, it’s likely it needs to be returned with the original wheels fitted.

I’ve got aftermarket alloys on my GTI+ but I’ve got the original alloys in storage that the car came with; they’ll go back on the car when I sell it.

Despite knowing the disadvantages of buying reps it was you who talked me out of it I admit I was wobbling but I reckon if I can get a set of 18" OEM, having been through the 'hand back' process a few times nobody will pick it up in a few years time