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Volkswagen Polo GTI (2006-2009) review

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Parkers overall rating: 3.5 out of 53.5

At a glance

Price new £16,600 - £17,190
Used prices £894 - £2,539
Road tax cost £385
Insurance group 26
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Fuel economy Not tested to latest standards
Range 356 miles
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Available fuel types

Petrol

Pros & cons

PROS

Neat GTI styling, nippy performance, excellent build quality and reliability

CONS

Not especially fun to drive and not quick enough to be a genuine hot hatch

Written by David Ross Published: 6 June 2019

Overview

This sporty Polo is a Golf GTI look-a-like, complete with the trademark honeycomb grille, distinctive alloy wheels and chequered interior trim. Sadly it doesn’t quite live up to its racy name on the road, where it’s not as quick or as sharp as rival hot hatches like the Renaultsport Clio or MINI Cooper. But it’s better to drive once it gets going, where it overtakes with ease and has plenty of turbo-boosted power in reserve.

It’s a good car to own: stylish, affordable to run and even practical, but it falls short of being a great one.