Poll: Polo GTI 185ps 2011 or scirocco 1.4 TSI 160ps opinions?

NathWraith · 4 Feb 2011 at 20:33

Hi guys,

Been looking at these two cars recently (being a bit of a VW fanboy

) and couldn't help noticing they are very similarary specced car for relatively the same price!

Between the polo and scirroco I think these are the main differences and advantages.

Polo GTI
- quicker, 185ps 0-60 in 6.9s
- DSG 7 speed box (could be bad depends on your preferences)
- Alittle more exclusivity, GTI style
- slightly cheaper and better specced than the scirocco

Scirocco 1.4TSI 160 PS
- "proper" manual box 6 speed
- arguably better handling than the polo
- better looking, more wow factor
- better choice of colours (viper green nom)

So basically the polo is more of a performance hot hatch whereas the scirocco is a more slick stylish "posy" car.

I'm swaying towards the Polo GTI as the "better" overall car.

I'm not looking to buy either (not for a while anyways) but just wanted to know other opinions on said cars.

PeterNem · 4 Feb 2011 at 20:37

The DSG box is really well suited to the 1.4 TSI engine in my eyes. Have you driven one? I was really surprised by the engine, it feels a lot bigger than it is (because of the supercharger) and doesn't labour at low revs, but when you want to it climbs the revs quickly and the gear changes are quick and smooth.

Tute · 4 Feb 2011 at 20:40

I assume you're talking about the 160bhp 1.4TSI as opposed to the 122bhp one?

Have you considered the 2.0TSI or is there an obvious reason not to?

NathWraith · 4 Feb 2011 at 20:43

Tute said:
I assume you're talking about the 160bhp 1.4TSI as opposed to the 122bhp one?

Have you considered the 2.0TSI or is there an obvious reason not to?

Sorry meant to say the 160ps version. The 2.0l is superior but comparing the 1.4 TSI basically on price.

Not driven either yet, may havevto hassle the local VW dealership for a test drive in the GTI once they get one in.

PeterNem · 4 Feb 2011 at 20:45

From my own experience, you may have more luck getting a test drive in a Fabia VRS (just to at least get a feel for the engine and gearbox even if you'd never consider it). We had the dealer throw us the keys for a day while in the meantime we struggled over a 2 week period to even get VW to return our calls.

MarkDavis · 4 Feb 2011 at 21:53

The Polo's just a souped up shopping trolley. The Scirocco is tighter, better handling, Golf GTi 'Lite'.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/234167/volkswagen_scirocco_14_tsi_160.html
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Volkswagen-Scirocco-1.4-TSI-160/233883/

Participant · 4 Feb 2011 at 22:16

I'd opt for the 160 Scirocco with the DSG transmission.

As PeterNem says, the 1.4 TSi @ 160PS can surprise people as it feels bigger than its displacement. I'm very pleased with it in our Golf combined with the DSG box.

Sport mode holds the revs higher making it that bit more snappy, and seems to never select 7th. 'D' mode is nice and smooth for standard driving, with ridiculous fast (like, unnoticeable) gear changes as long as it's the anticipated gear that's selected, and even if it drops two, or goes down when it thought it was about to go up, it's still very rapid.

The DSG is ~£1,500 extra at retail iirc, so this may take it out of your comparison range with the Polo GTi, but I'd try and find the extra as it's a box that can either take all the hassle out of driving, or add all the fun to it.

suj999 · 4 Feb 2011 at 22:56

Handling on the new polo is not that good, feels too light in corners, but not tried the GTI.

Scirocco, better, feels better at speed but thats on the 2.0.

ZG002 · 5 Feb 2011 at 10:01

Never driven either... but have had a poke about both at a dealers. For what it's worth I found the interior in the Scirocco to be a much nicer place to be. Just felt like it was on a different level. (Which it was I guess)

PeterNem · 5 Feb 2011 at 10:05

It's a shame the 1.4 TSI engine in the Scirocco doesn't make the same output as the engine in the Polo/Fabia/Cupra. I assume the car is also heavier, which leads to it being about a second slower to 60.

NathWraith · 5 Feb 2011 at 10:39

PeterNem said:
It's a shame the 1.4 TSI engine in the Scirocco doesn't make the same output as the engine in the Polo/Fabia/Cupra. I assume the car is also heavier, which leads to it being about a second slower to 60.

Yeah I was thinking the same tbh. If the Scirrocco had the same power then the scales would tip in its favour tbh.

Will pop down my local VW garage soon enough and check them both out.

The Scirocco is the far nicer car (looks wise) but the Polo has more straight line grunt. Hmm, will it be enough to notice a massive difference between the two though?

Kappa · 5 Feb 2011 at 11:15

Although its in a different class of vehicle, I found the inside of the Polo GTI a real nice place to be for what it can be. I was considering it instead of the ST, but then decided against.

Saying that I think it was just down to it being a VW, so the Scirroco is still better in that department. Only thing that sways it for me is the Scirroco's looks, I think it's dated already.

unclelonghair · 5 Feb 2011 at 15:50

PeterNem said:
It's a shame the 1.4 TSI engine in the Scirocco doesn't make the same output as the engine in the Polo/Fabia/Cupra. I assume the car is also heavier, which leads to it being about a second slower to 60.

Would be too close in performace to the 2.0T. That isn't available in the Polo so they can use the 1.4TSi in the higher level of tune in that.

NathWraith · 5 Feb 2011 at 16:10

unclelonghair said:
Would be too close in performace to the 2.0T. That isn't available in the Polo so they can use the 1.4TSi in the higher level of tune in that.

Ah yeah, never thought of it like that.

So tuning potential for the Scirocco? Hmmm

Nah, from a brand new perspective it is a hard desicion. Going to add a poll, let get some figures on this!

[TW]Fox · 5 Feb 2011 at 16:15

Can I have a used 2.0T instead?

unclelonghair · 5 Feb 2011 at 16:16

I'd go for the Scirocco, as it's a nicer looking car, and higher spec as standard. I've got a 1.4TSi in 170 form in a Mk V Golf, and it's a great drive. A simple remap would take it close to 200, and I can't imagine the 160 version is too much different.

Kenai · 5 Feb 2011 at 16:16

NathWraith said:
So tuning potential for the Scirocco? Hmmm

Code:

 	Standard Revo
bhp 	160 	219
Torque 	177 	240

I'd say there is

unclelonghair · 5 Feb 2011 at 16:17

[TW]Fox;18398044 said:
Can I have a used 2.0T instead?

That would be my first choice. My only problem with the Scirocco is the lack of headroom as I like to sit very upright when driving, and have short legs and a long body.

NathWraith · 5 Feb 2011 at 16:54

[TW]Fox;18398044 said:
Can I have a used 2.0T instead?

Wouldn't we all! Talking purely from a brand new price point of view though.

The 2.0T would take the Scirocco quite a lot more expensive than the Polo and it isn't really a fair comparison then.

To be honest from reading around and what people are saying here i am being swayyed towards the Scirocco. Gonna try and get a few test drives to finally make my mind up!

[TW]Fox · 5 Feb 2011 at 17:01

My point is that I would rather own a second hand 2.0T than a brand new 1.4TSI for the same money

Poll: Polo GTI 185ps 2011 or scirocco 1.4 TSI 160ps opinions?

Polo GTI 1.4 TSI 185PS or Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160PS?

Polo GTI

Scirocco