Volkswagen Scirocco

Our verdict

You know how we love the Golf GTI. Now imagine a car that drives a little better, looks far better, and hardly costs more

Comfort

A firm chassis of course, but the adaptive dampers and low-slung seats mean the Scirocco’s ride doesn’t feel too turbulent. The seats are terrific, but there’s a headroom shortage in the back. There’s also a fair bit of wind and road noise at speed, especially with the optional glass roof.

Performance

The intro engine is the 200bhp 2.0 turbo. It’s loaded with torque and makes a juicy burble as it kicks you to 62mph in 7.2 seconds – a hairsbreadth faster if you opt for DSG. A 1.4 twincharger doing 160bhp is in the offing, and a diesel that’ll do 0-62 in 9.3.

Cool

Remember the impact the Audi TT had first time around? The Scirocco has that, but without trying too hard.

Quality

If you’ve been in other modern VWs you’ll spot the parts sharing, but so what? That means you know the stuff works well and feel good to the touch. Only the interior door trim is a bit cheapo. As you drive, the bodyshell feels like it’s one solid ingot. It looks like that sort of quality from the outside too.

Handling

Takes the familiar Golf GTI basics of safe but fun handling and adds its own spice. The Scirocco’s track is wider for more grip (in fact on dry roads there’s almost too much), and you the adaptive dampers make the thing a little more responsive. Weighty, accurate steering has good feel for the action.

Practicality

OK so it’s only got four seats and the rear ones aren’t for Clarkson-sized bods, but you can put a couple of mates in there for a run across town. The boot is surprisingly big, even if the hatchback opening isn’t. Certainly this is a far more practical car than a Mini.

Running costs

Something this in-demand won’t depreciate, surely. And group 16 insurance even for the 200bhp model ain’t too bad if you say it quickly. CO2 is 179, less for the diesel and 1.4 of course. On variable servicing, you might be ableto get up to 18,000 miles interval. But not driving it the way we would.