This car exists for the pure enthusiast & probably for petrol heads. There is no denying the fact that it’s 15-20% more expensive when compared to a similar class of cars from other manufacturers. And to be honest - not many people will be able to appreciate what this car offers.
There are a host or premium hatchbacks with automatic transmissions out there now. Baleno RS, Punto Abarth & Ford Figo Sports to name a few. But none offer the riding experience of the GT TSI.
Before I write the review - let me give a quick note on the types of automatic gearboxes out there.
AMT: automated manual transmission. Began with Maruti. Basically, a traditional manual gearbox with a mechanical actuator to perform the clutch action to shift. Cheapest to maintain with least responsive. Excellent mileage(same as manual).
Traditional torque converter: Older gearboxes which use fluid which spins up inside the transmission. Usually found in cars like Grand i10. Shifts are sluggish & have a rubberband effect during shifts. Poor mileage since it can almost never stay in the right gear if you don’t have a light right foot.
CVT: continuously variable transmission. This is a more modern transmission system which can have almost infinite gear ratios for any speed or condition. This is more popular among manufacturers. Cars like Baleno, Jazz etc come with a CVT.
Like torque converters, CVTs are also notorious for the rubberband effect. Takes time to shift but is overall more efficient, smooth & reliable.
- DSG: Dual clutch transmission. Almost the final word in commercial automatic gearboxes. Has 2 clutches set to odd & even gears. So even before the gearbox shifts, the next gear has already been selected & engaged by the second clutch. Seamless shifts. Expensive since these are mostly imported & found on more pricey cars.
Back to the GT TSI. Typical VW built quality all around. Top-notch to say the least. From the top of the dash to the sides of the gear tunnel - it all feels very well put together.
Equipment wise - its got all the essential but misses out on a lot. Especially at this premium price. Here is what it does NOT have:
Projector headlamps with auto on
Rear parking camera(need to pay~10k extra for this)
Front armrest(need to pay extra for this)
Rear AC vent
A light in the Boot
An in-built GPS in the infotainment unit. It relies on your phone’s GPS for MAPS
Keyless entry & go
Ergonomics & cabin practicality:
While the front seat score(especially the driver’s seat) scores very high in terms of practicality & comfort - the rear seats are a different story. Polo’s rear seats have always been a point of complaint about many & the GT TSI is no exception. The leg room in the rear is adequate at best for 2 adults & may be a kid whose legs do not reach the floorboard. The transmission tunnel intrudes into the leg room of the middle passenger in the rear. Besides that - even the Grand i10 offers better legroom than any Polo. That said, seat bolstering is comfortable & if you seat 2 passengers in the rear - they won’t complain a lot.
The driver seat is height adjustable which has become somewhat of a norm nowadays.
The steering column is adjustable for rake & reach which is fantastic. Finding the perfect riding position is very easy. The front seats are fairly comfortable although I felt the lower back support was a bit inadequate - for longer rides. Using a small stiff cusion fixes that easily. But I had to call out the issue as well as the fix.
The boot is fairly big & square. Excellent for making weekend trips & even trips to the airport. The loading lip does mean you will have to put you back into lifting the bags but it isn’t a deal-breaker. The magic happens when you fold the rear seat and extend the loading area. It opens up a massive 950lt of cargo space with the nearly flat floorboard. This is simply class leading. Probably the Jazz will be able to beat this.
Driveability:
This is where the GT TSI shines. The DSG is simply unbeatable in this class of hot-hatches. The only other auto gearbox which can beat it is probably a mini cooper or more premium cars. Of course, this comparison is unfair in itself.
Keeping aside lap times & 0-100 times between other hatchbacks, the smoothness & accuracy of the DSG is unmatched. This is the primary reason why you are paying a premium.
The gear shifts are quick & accurate. And you almost never find yourself in the wrong gear. Given this is a 7-speed gearbox. The D-mode will shift to keep economy high - will shift at 3000 rpms. Ideal for city riding without any drama. The S-mode(sports), will see you redline at 6000 rpm at each gear for a more sportier feel.
A special mention for the turbocharger which can be felt at just 1500 rpm & the growl from the engine is commendable - given its just a 1.2L mill. With a slightly better exhaust, this could sound like a proper sports car.
Driving the GT TSI is pure pleasure. The steering weighs up very well with speed. I always found the Hyundai’s steering to be a bit disconnected & overtly light. The GT’s steering is light on low speeds but weighs up as you pick up speed.
Very reassuring to say the least. No complaints. You get your money’s worth here.
Milege:
About 9-11 kmpl in city with a lot of traffic.
15-17kmpl on the highway - this is where the 6th & 7th gear on the DSG help.
This is for Bangalore city which is plagued with poor road & traffic jams.
Niggles:
I have always disliked the fact that VW gives the indicator switches on the left-hand side of the steering wheel. Everyone else offers it on the right which is the right place in our country. I feel like VW shifting the entire steering column from left to right side of the dashboard as they moved from Europe(right-hand drive) to India(left-hand drive) without changing anything else. Its purely annoying is you also drive a non-VW car alongside.
Unique features:
Ambient lighting under the dashboard. Helps with getting in and out. Also helps to find your phone if you happen to drop it.
One touch up & down on all 4 power windows. Very useful.
Rain sensing wipers. Also, there are 4 sprays to sprinkle water on the entire windscreen.
A stunning 5-star NCAP rating. No other car in this segment offers safety of this level. Class-leading to say the least. You feel secure in this car from the moment you sit in it.
Price:
We paid 11.4L in Bangalore on-road. Definately on the pricey side.
Conclusion:
For someone who loves to drive, there are very few options in the Indian market at this price point. The GT TSI is the final word for spirited riding which is usuable on commercial roads & can play that everyday car for you.
This is by far the best hatchback for shere driving pleasure. You have to sacrafice a lot of features when you get this car. But what you get is a top-quality car & an impecable engine+ gearbox. It is no surprise that this car has won numerous car of the year awards across countries many times over.