Volkswagen Polo GTI 2019 review

[@juusohamalainen7507]

A very balanced and practical review. Many car videos are made differently reviewers concentrating on totally meaningless details that have no meaning in daily driving and many seem to believe all sporty cars are mainly driven on track which is an idiotic assumption. We bought in April the new Polo GTI and I fully support the results and comments of this review.

[@TheCactusJack100]

Great review, I've watched heaps of these over the last few days and this was the best I've seen. Very helpful and pleasant to watch and listen to. You got my Sub. Keep up the great work

[@chasingcars]

Thanks Ryan. Much appreciated!

[@TomDee96]

Ed Sheerans music career must have taken a dive!

[@troydyall6624]

was just thinking the same thing!

[@Cloud9430]

I’m watching these vids while I’m waiting for mine!

[@PAUL2YU]

Another great review from Tom. Can't wait for the next one.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Paul!

[@PAUL2YU]

Good size, affordable price, nice looking, great performance, luxury design, GTI-standard manoeuvrability, low maintenance fee, German quality, where else you can find such a perfect small all-rounder? (Shh, actually I am waiting for the next generation VW GOLF selling in 2020.)

[@Leefryyinc]

not fan of the spy pics of 20 golf man, buy the polo, way cheaper and looks better

[@zapher007]

Have you seen the prices of a service?? $1300 for the 60,000ks service! Not really low maintenance fees!

[@babywallet3224]

Great video, can you recommend some tyres please 🙏

[@RennieAsh]

I wonder how quiet those Primacy s3t's are. Apparently meant to be one of the quieter tyres on the market, which would make sense on the base model.

[@chasingcars]

They were a little quieter than the Turanzas, but they still kick up marked road noise. I recommend test driving to hear for yourself.

[@davidpearson4928]

Wow - great review - well done.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks David!

[@NZsarge1]

Good review, I personally agree with pretty much all your points on the car both good and the bad.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks very much, I do my best to present a balanced view.

[@ravingmad765]

I came back to watch this after the i20 N vid. I think if you want a hot hatch, get one with manual. You're compromising seating size/space already for that seat of the pants feel, so just get manual and have a proper small zinger.

[@kane4013]

My speakers hate this guys voice

[@norm2655]

Great review again. It would be interesting if you specc’ed this up, how it would compare against the GTI original 3door....!

[@chasingcars]

Agreed! Very interesting comparison. Just a few GTI Originals remain unsold now. Almost all are spoken for. Sad!

[@NAKMUAYACADEMY]

Which is the best Polo models?

[@iskanderbuyuk4946]

Hi Tom, you mentioned it has lane keeping assist at 9:35 My question is does it really have lane keeping assist? I couldnt find this in the VW Polo brochure

[@MLife1972]

Great review as always (although I did find the photography a bit 'gloomy' looking - that is just nitpicking though as the review is world class). I was really excited when I read the early reviews but VW Australia have really dropped the ball with their option packages. I wouldn't want to lose the classy tartan seats for those naff microfibre seats just so I can get LED headlights and the nicer wheels. I love the rest of the interior though which looks like a real step up Golf and Polo (in design if not quality).

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Mark. Yes, it's a little moody in the intro…lighting wasn't ideal. But I'm glad you liked the commentary! I'm in full agreement that the option packs aren't ideal here. The Sound and Vision Pack makes sense (though nav should be standard…), but the Luxury Package seats aren't for me…I don't want to lose the tartan, but ultimately, the bigger wheels and better tyres and LED headlights would force me to get it.

[@msjp81]

Wheels.. go aftermarket. I've got a set of OZ Racing that would look really at home on this

[@MLife1972]

Not a bad idea msjp81. I'll scope some out...cheers.

[@anthonymerrie5760]

Couldn't you just negotiate to keep the seats?

[@shaneh734]

vw needs to sell this and the scirocco in the U.S.A.

[@Warsheep2k6]

Scirocco is discontinued so import a used one now or leave it at that. also you can get the polo easily from mexico... unless your wall is up by now

[@ryanburr8419]

I was really interested in the Polo GTI but when I learned that it only has halogen headlights (and LED headlights are only available as part as a very expensive option package), no felt lining, no Sat Nav, hard touch plastics galore and no true comfort suspension mode my interest waned. Just too many obvious cost saving measures in a car north of $30,000. I think most buyers will get better value and a better car with a 1 year old Golf GTI 7.5 or waiting a year to buy this car on the used car market.

[@chasingcars]

It’s a good point. I’d be tempted to save my pennies a little longer for the Golf GTI or look for a gently driven pre-owned car, but for those that want a brand new performance VW within a certain budget, this is definitely worth a look

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

True you can get an "almost brand new " golf 7.5 GTI for a just little bit more money

[@nevillevaneerten]

In NZ the LED lights are standard. It is a REALLY nice car, and in my opinion once you get your confidence up, just as fast, if not faster than the previous Fiesta ST that I had. The Golf GTI is another $20k in NZ. The fuel economy is amazing, and very comfortable.

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

Not saying it isn't a desirable car as it very much is but for the money it makes sense to go with the golf 7.5 GTI. Can't compare it to a fiesta ST, this car is in another league in terms of refinement and performance.

[@steve3649-g8s]

I ended up paying that bit more for the Golf GTI 7.5 for similar reasons…. its just hard touch plastic everywhere and cheap looking dash inserts…. so glad I opted for the Golf GTI!

[@StrEagle]

Also kinda wrong on the wheels - both 17 and 18 rims come with the same 215 width tires - so bigger rims is not equal to better tires. Missed points - nothing on the sunroof.

[@chasingcars]

No, the tyre itself is different - Michelin Primacy 3 on the base car versus Bridgestone Turanza T001 on the Luxury Package. Better compound, more grip...

[@Warsheep2k6]

We get turanzas on the 17" and Pilot sport 4 on the 18" whats wrong with you australians :D

[@Warsheep2k6]

@Dapdoi Ardon arm Rest is standart in gtis ... at least here

[@carr16k]

Beautiful car. And colour.

[@vineshr3321]

Thanks vw keeping Manual Parking( or E ) brake instead little plastic p switch

[@chasingcars]

For ripping skids!

[@Warsheep2k6]

or do handbrake parking ^^

[@phedishonchabeleng9422]

Suddenly I likebthis car...

[@chasingcars]

Glad to hear it.

[@vishwav20]

Does those heating seats also has Ventilated cooling function?

[@chasingcars]

No, they don't.

[@hellogoodthxroche8997]

Nice review bud, Thanks...Here's looking forward to the Manual model????????

[@chasingcars]

Yep... though I think we’ll be waiting minimum 2 years here in Australia for a manual.

[@hellogoodthxroche8997]

Bummer I know...

[@simodena]

Fantastic car

[@billybob1511]

How is the road noise? Any thing special or just average?

[@chasingcars]

Not too good, not too bad. The Polo is still in the light car class, after all. A Golf is quieter.

[@iosdeals]

Polo is not built on MQB, it's on MQB A0, which is vastly different - simpler platform.

[@chasingcars]

It’s a lower-cost derivative of MQB.

[@iosdeals]

@@chasingcars this would be something to say if a math teacher was asked how he likes his new Polo. As a journalist you should not simply simplify "facts" by saying it is on MQB platform, just because they share 3 letters. This platform can't be equipped with haldex, e-brake, the EDC are completely different than the ones you can get on Golf and dozen other differences. It is completely different platform.

[@nicolai1255]

Nobody commented on how much this dude looks like Ed Sheeran???!

[@mads3580]

I think about that aha 😂

[@Ianmundo]

I really fancied getting one of these but where I live (Iceland), one of these is a frankly ludicrous 49000 AUD, the interior of the Polo was not at all luxurious so I ended up going for a Civic which had nearly as much power, is bigger, better suspension and was over 10k cheaper.

[@chasingcars]

Oof, that's overpriced bigtime.

[@danielrenault]

Hi Tom. Are you going to review the new Jeep Cherokee?

[@marinoint]

You're wrong on many things: 1) The Polo GTI does have front differential - XDS+. 2) No, no one can use body roll to their driving advantage. 3) The 6-speed DSG is not the best automatic transmission from VW right now.

[@chasingcars]

I’m not. 1) XDS/XDL is not a mechanical differential lock. It uses ESP hydraulics and then individual brakes to starve power from spinning wheels. 2) You need to work on your weight transfer skills if you think you’re correct on this point. On tight circuits and corners, ultra stiff suspension with no roll actually causes time loss, not gain. 3) Subjective, but given my extensive experience with the entire range of VW DSG gearboxes, this is my professional opinion.

[@markturner-smith5309]

Chasing Cars are totally correct, particularly on front set up - it does not get the clever front slip differential set up on the Golf GTI is what he meant. It is you not understanding the how the lower spec non Golf GTI slip differential electronic's work - basically using Traction control/XDS/etc to control understeer by backing off power & brakes being applied gently to balance the from axle.

[@markturner-smith5309]

@Dapdoi Ardon UK product listing's only list the slip differential (XDS+) available for Golf GTI Performance model. Only list the normal XDS system (that nips & brakes each corner as grip/conditions dictate only no slip differential) on new Polo GTI. Other markets might be different but sorry no XDS+ system listed in UK models unless Golf GTI Performance (the only Golf GTI available anyway now coz of new emissions issues) or Golf R which is running on slightly different 4motion system anyway.

[@BrownKow100]

7:58 one of the fog lights not working? VW quality!

[@chasingcars]

They’re cornering lights. They switch on at low speed in the direction the steering wheel is turned to in order to better illuminate the road surface when parking/manoeuvring

[@BrownKow100]

Ah in that case not bad!

[@Warsheep2k6]

also activate at low speed when you hit the indicators

[@shaneh734]

this is the front end that should be on the new jetta. The current front end on the new jetta looks horrible!

[@chasingcars]

Yes, it’s very slabby that new Jetta!

[@Warsheep2k6]

there is a very unknown polo classic which is basically a polo based jetta... this generation actually looks good

[@Nohojunocry]

Thanks for the review. I like the Golf/Polo but worry about high costs to maintain and reliability compared to say a Honda Civic/Jazz or Corolla. Will a VW last a good 10 plus years with low maintenance costs? Or do people generally just upgrade their cars every 7 years nowadays anyway? Are modern cars like modern TVs and just break down/ crash after 5 years or so due to too much electronics and built in obsolescence? My mechanic says ‘don’t go German just go Japanese. Toyota Toyota...’

[@chasingcars]

Mechanics always say stuff like that, increasingly because they’re locked out of the sophisticated tools it requires to effectively service modern vehicles! But look, cars have has computers in them for decades now. It’s not accurate to see them as an analogue versus digital watch situation ... it’s just a matter of degree. Certainly, I think that in future there will be earlier write offs of cars as the cost of replacing adaptive safety sensors can be huge. And as interiors have more screens sure, they’ll date and be prone to failure. But given everybody (including Toyota - see my Corolla review) is going in this direction, I think it’s best to buy what you like now, and flip it in 3 years or so. Buying a modern car that has to last 10 years is a bit of a lottery.

[@Nohojunocry]

Thanks for your advice! I will keep this in mind.

[@msjp81]

I own what is now a 10 year old Polo GTI. 1.8 Turbo, manual transmission. Bought it new in 2008 but handed the keys to my non mechanically inclined brother in 2010. Got it back in 2017. Service/preventative maintenance wise, it hadn't been looked after. Other than servicing, brakes, it has cost next to nothing extra. One of the tail lights has started to take in water.. $90 for a second hand replacement and its back to being good.

[@dannymay8097]

Colour grading is too much and takes away from the product.

[@katlegomashiane1607]

🔥

[@ozwrangler.c]

Considering this car. Dismissed it earlier due to the red plastic accents which are a light red in harsh Aussie sunlight- bleh! Test driving soon. If is otherwise, great, I'll get the red interior bits vinyl wrapped for

[@chasingcars]

They now offer the interior accents in gloss grey at no cost, starting this week.

[@ozwrangler.c]

@@chasingcars Wow! Thanks for that info. Perhaps the planets are aligning?

[@chasingcars]

A strange coincidence, but potentially good news for you!

[@luisrosmaninho1948]

A relação peso potência é má.

[@7homas0wen]

I absolutely hate the red dash plastic. Makes it look like a teenage ricer car who’s gone at it with some plastidip or spray paint. Looks cheap and awful. Much prefer the silver from the R Line.

[@chasingcars]

They now offer the silver/grey dash insert as a no cost option.

[@marti9]

the 6c gen is alot better looking inside and out

[@chasingcars]

I also prefer the Polo V outside - but I prefer the VI inside

[@Stokedbyyou]

Delusional!

[@wideningcarrot6]

Keep telling yourself that mate. The 6c looks cheap and crap compared to this.

[@JFomo]

These are going for $42k on carsales. Where can i get one for $30k 😅

[@chasingcars]

Special order of the base model with no options is one way - but you’ll have to wait a few months

[@JFomo]

@@chasingcars nah screw that, you'd want the nav and digital screen.

[@chasingcars]

Agreed... which then pushes it right into the danger zone of warm and hot hatches from the class above.

[@coopsnz1]

Golf gti is 42k

[@brynnleahnayvieghlaykynnn6175]

I wish they sold this in America although I probably still wouldn’t buy it

[@m_thebox]

I’m toommm baaaaaaaaaaakerrrrr

[@vivekpanchmatiya8531]

Dont know why but i never liked polo.. do you too?

[@chasingcars]

I prefer the size of the Golf, but now that the Polo has gotten bigger, that is less of a differentiator. Worth taking both for a drive.

[@redwhite_040]

Overrated VW stuff.