Up!, Polo and Golf – Volkswagen’s GTI family tested on and off track

This is VW’s current GTI family in its entirety and we were lucky enough to sample all three cars both on road and on track around Spain’s Ascari circuit. Though the GTI line-up isn’t intended to be a series of hardcore track monsters, all three coped remarkably well with the high-speed work on a shortened version of the famous Ascari track.

What are they?

What’s new?

The Polo is a relatively new too. It’s based on the Mk6 Polo and is lower and wider than its predecessor. As in all of the three cars, there’s been a full GTI makeover – tartan seats, red pinstriping, unique alloy wheels and, in the case of the Polo and Golf, resculpted exterior fixtures all feature.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Up! GTI is the baby of the trio. It packs a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, producing 113bhp for a 0-60mph sprint of 8.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 122mph. It’s a wonderfully fizzy engine – keen to rev, more than powerful enough for the tiny body and it sounds ridiculous thanks to a portal which amplifies the engine noise into the interior. The Up! GTI doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s very appealing.

The Polo is a rather more grown-up proposition. It packs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with 197bhp – it’s the same unit as the one in the Golf, but detuned slightly. The Polo’s still capable of a sub-seven-second 0-60mph sprint. Currently only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (a six-speed manual is coming later in the year), what it lacks in character it makes up for in performance. This is a genuinely rapid car, even if excellent refinement means it doesn’t always feel it.

Finally, the Golf. We know this car well – this Mk7.5 model is barely an update over the previous Mk7, and features a virtually identical powertrain to the outgoing model. We drove the full-fat Performance Pack model with 242bhp, in both six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG forms. Both are excellent.

What is the Up! like to drive?

The Polo seemed as though it wasn’t entirely at home on track. With a comparatively porky 1,355kg kerb weight, it’s a little less willing to be chucked around.

How does the Polo fare?

As for the Golf?

It’s as good as it’s always been. Of course, for track supremacy, you’d be far better off with one of the race-biased Clubsport cars – but the standard GTI is still very quick, beautifully balanced and incredibly mature.

On track, it understandably left the Polo and Up! in its wake – you can thank the extra horsepower for that. On road, the Golf’s best feature is still its real-world pace and usability. Comfortable over all surfaces, refined and relaxing when you take it easy and powerful and punchy when you put your foot down, the Golf wears its four decades of development with pride.

What’s the quality like?

Regardless of which model you sit in, the first impression is one of rock-solid build quality. This is a VW strong point across its entire model range, and compared with the slightly tinny feeling of many a hot hatchback it’s rather reassuring.

The feeling of quality is most exceptional in the Up! – not that it’s the best-built of the trio, but that it’s so remarkably solid for its light weight. It does suffer somewhat due to its city-car origins – there’s no reach adjustment for the steering wheel, for example, and the included phone mount and free VW app are a poor substitute for a full-on infotainment system.

Verdict

The Polo is immensely fast and capable, but does feel like the weak link here somewhat. The high price tag and disappointing interior are downsides, but the Polo’s real issue is its rivals. The brilliant Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport are both cheaper than the Polo and offer more thrills, if less maturity.

Finally, the Golf. It’s the world’s most iconic hot hatchback, and one that has the most scrutiny on it every time it’s updated. And we’re glad to say it doesn’t disappoint. It may be pricey considering the power on offer, and lack the thrills that some rivals such as the wild Honda Civic Type R or Renaultsport Megane offer. But as a daily driver? There’s not much better, at any price.