Volkswagen Polo GTI

Climb inside the Volkswagen Polo GTI and you could easily mistake it for a Golf GTI, such is the upmarket feel of the cabin. Build quality is exceptionally high for a supermini and the cockpit is loaded with technology. Mounted on the back of the steering wheel, twin paddles operate the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and VW's clever traction control system sorts out the handling in sharp corners. The Polo GTI is a very desirable supermini but shares it's running gear with the cheaper Skoda Fabia vRS and SEAT Ibiza CUPRA, both offering similar specifications for less money. Under the bonnet the Polo GTI has a 1.4 TSI litre petrol engine which is both supercharged and turbocharged helping to provide impressive pace across the rev range without harming fuel consumption. Producing 178bhp, it catapults the Polo GTI from 0-62mph in a brisk 6.9 seconds.

Although not as naturally capable in corners as Ford's Fiesta, the Polo GTI is fitted with stiffer suspension than other VW Polos and as a result still provides plenty of smiles per-mile. Body roll is almost non-existent and whilst it feels firm, the nippy GTI soaks up the bumps in a very grown-up manner. It possesses an uncanny ability to go immediately from enjoying back roads to motorways, a feat very few cars can manage. The steering wheel mounted paddles provide smooth changes and the combination of plenty of low down torque plus the choice of seven gears, means that there is always power to draw on for overtakes or simply for the fun of it. As capable as it is however, fans of early VW GTIs may feel slightly dis-connected from the action.

Probably it's trump card, the Polo GTI is both comfortable and sporty. It's the combination of pearless build quality and fresh interior design that encourages passengers to relax, even if the driver is enjoying a twisty back road. Out on the open road or faced with the monotony of a long motorway journey the GTI settles down and simply gets on with the job in hand. Road noise is well controlled, the engine is quiet in higher gears and the seats provide all the support you need. It all adds up to a very impressive piece of engineering that is brilliantly packaged.