Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 88%

“What is that?” “Your car looks amazing” “I bet that’s fast” were just three passing comments I got at traffic lights from fellow drivers when driving the new Volkswagen Scirocco.

Re-launched after a 16 year hiatus, the new VW Scirocco has one of the most groundbreaking designs of any sub-£30,000 new car since the Honda Civic and gives a clear clue to future Volkswagens.

After driving the new Scirocco on respective launches in Portugal and the UK, we took one on loan for a week to see how it stacks up as a day-to-day car.
 

View our Volkswagen Scirocco UK launch slide show

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

Well done Volkswagen, you’ve nailed it with the new Scirocco. From the awesome angular front to the curvaceous rear-end and with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels – the Scirocco is stunning. It’s wider and lower than the Golf GTi and is far more imposing that the hot hatch legend.

10/10

2. Looks inside

Some have criticised the Scirocco’s interior for not being as ‘out there’ as the exterior but this isn’t a bad thing. Radicalising the inside leaves a lot to be desired for and VW is aware of this, so it stuck with its tried and tested formula of easy to use dials and hard wearing, dark plastics, lifted the interior from the Eos.

The integrated touch screen sat-nav and sound system is housed in the middle of the dash. The leather seats are comfortable and the sports steering wheel has a quality feel.

9/10

3. Practicality
 
The 2008 Scirocco is a four seat car which may not be to everyone’s taste, but this way the two rear passengers get a sculpted seat each.

The boot’s 292 litre capacity is quite good and – while not the longest – is quite deep meaning larger packages can fit comfortably. However, the boot does have a high lip which may become frustrating after a while.

Visibility is quite bad and claustrophobic in the back but our model had optional parking sensors which make light of reverse parking.

6/10

View our Volkswagen Scirocco slide show

4. Ride and Handling
 
The Scirocco has Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) which enables the driver to adjust the car’s braking, cornering and suspension firmness to normal, comfort or sport.

Seen in the likes of the Ferrari 599 and Audi TT, ACC is an excellent system which caters for all driving conditions. When the car’s all firmed up there is minimal bodyroll through corners and while you may go over some potholes, it’s never too uncomfortable.

In all cases, there is plenty of grip and you will need to push the Scirocco pretty hard through a corner to induce understeer. The brakes are sharp but progressive ensuring no juddering or discomfort for driver and passengers.

Driving through town and it’s best to employ normal or comfort on the ACC. In this case the steering is light, and the suspension is forgiving to the all-more frequent speed bumps.

With its low and wide profile, the Scirocco is incredibly composed on the road – out handling the Golf GTi.

10/10

5. Performance

The 2-litre model develops 198bhp and gives the Scirocco a 0-62mph time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 146mph. Acceleration feels quicker than this and it really picks up at 60mph when you drop down a gear.

A 2-litre diesel engine developing 139bhp and a 1.4-litre turbocharged lump with 159bhp have also been added to the range and accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.3 and 8 seconds respectively. The 1.4-litre model is available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG while the diesel has a choice of six-speed manual or DSG.

We tested the 2-litre turbocharged Scirocco with the optional six-speed DSG semi-automatic gearbox. DSG allows the driver to override the automatic changes and allow quicker, more aggressive gear changes via paddles on the steering wheel. As with the VW and Audi range, it works sensationally and is considerably quicker than using a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s a £1,330 optional extra but definitely worth it.

9/10

6. Running Costs

The 2-litre Scirocco we tested has a claimed average fuel consumption of 37.2mpg. After more than 450 miles of driving we were averaging 30mpg which, while considerably lower than VW’s claims. Carbon dioxide emissions of 179g/km place the Scirocco in tax band E, meaning £170 a year. Insurance group 16 will mean high premiums for young drivers.

Those looking for less performance but more fuel efficiency should look at the diesel model which has a claimed average of 55.4mpg with a manual gearbox and 51.4mpg with DSG. Emissions of 134 and 145g/km mean a tax bill of just £120 a year.

The 1.4 should average 42.2mpg and cost £145 a year to tax.

8/10

View our Volkswagen Scirocco UK launch slide show

7. Reliability

Volkswagens are solidly built and the Scirocco is no different. While it’s a new car in theory, in reality the Scirocco shares many of its components with the Volkswagen Eos Convertible and Golf so there shouldn’t be too many reliability problems.

If anything does go wrong, customers get the normal three-year warranty.

9/10

8. Safety

You’re well equipped here. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with hydraulic brake assist which puts the right amount of power on the brakes depending on the situation. There’s also electronic stability programme and traction control while inside driver and passengers benefit from six airbags.

While it is yet to be crash tested by EuroNCAP, the Eos and Golf – of which it shares a lot of components – were awarded four and five stars respectively.

9/10

9. Equipment

Our Scirocco was well equipped with the aforementioned safety features and ACC sitting alongside electric windows, heat insulating tinted glass, rain sensing wipers, heated door mirrors, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels and an alarm and immobiliser.

Our model had a few optional extras such as a leather interior (£1,535), touch screen sat-nav with 30GB hard drive and SD card reader (£1,180), a winter pack which includes heated front seats and headlight washers (£215) and the very-much advisable rear parking sensors (£325). With all the extras, our model cost £25,225.

8/10

10. X-Factor

We take our hats off to Volkswagen. The German car maker could easily have charged more for such a stunning looking car, but by using components from other successful models and combining it with an amazing design VW has built a bold car at an attainable price.

It also gets the ultimate motoring journalist seal of approval. Half of our road test team has admitted we’d buy one with our own money – it’s that good.

10/10