New Polo GTI Sounds Better Than Golf GTI?

But it didn't happen this generation. Perhaps because a lack-luster supermini hot hatch would have been suicidal for the GTI brand, VW let the Polo be all that it can be.

We were the first to guess that it was going to have a 2-liter engine, which matches the 200 HP output of the Golf 5 GTI from a decade ago but exceeds its torque: 320 vs. 280 Nm.

The comparison between the two GTI models has been a rollercoaster ride for us. First, we saw a drag race which the Polo won, during a launch event. But about a month later, it lost very clearly against the 245 HP version at the hands of Carwow in a video that felt a little staged.

Now we're back, but not to examine the performance of these two models. AutoTop from the Netherlands pitted two white VWs against each other to see which sounds better.

When it comes to what the microphone picks up, the Polo GTI was the winner, at least in our book. Unfortunately, we can't identify the specific version of Golf. Based on the taillights, it's a facelift and the lack of exhaust raspiness suggests it's the 230 model.

Sure, the version was taken out of production, but that doesn't mean GTI 230's don't exist, right? Not all hot Golf owners change their exhaust because it ruins the resale value. So it's slightly embarrassing for the more expensive model.

These two aren't direct competitors, but the baby model has a more interesting interior and will save you a lot of money. However, the big boy is always going to be a desirable icon, whereas the Polo GTI wasn't that good until now.