Used Volkswagen Scirocco Coupe 2008 - 2017 review

The pert and cute Volkswagen Scirocco made its debut way back in 1974, and was based on the mechanicals of its sibling, the contemporary VW Golf.  Despite not being a speed freak's machine, it was a popular car and it sold well over many years. A more rounded and slightly larger Scirocco appeared in 1982, before disappearing into the ether only a few short years later, and it took until 2008 before the Scirocco name once again graced a sporty VW coupe.

This then all-new car, once again based heavily on the Golf, was released to high acclaim. Distinctive styling, a great chassis and a hint of practicality made it a serious alternative for those considering a hot hatch. A mid-life facelift in 2014 kept it fresh, with subtle changes made to the exterior styling and the use of some improved materials for the inside, which raised the feeling of quality. It also coincided with the launch of two even faster versions, the GTS and the R. 

The GT trim added 18in alloy wheels, front foglights, sat-nav, speed limit display, climate control, parking sensors and VW's Car-Net online services, while opting for the GT Black Edition added black alloys, wing mirrors, roof and rear spoiler.

R-Line models include 19in alloy wheels, an R-Line bodykit, leather upholstery, and electrically adjustable and heated front seats, while the R-Line Black Edition added numerous glossy black details to the exterior.

Topping the range was the GTS and R models, with the former coming with 18in alloy wheels, a chrome twin exhaust system, a sporty bodykit, sports seats, a golf ball gearknob and numerous GTS badges dotted inside and outside the car, while the latter gets 19in alloys, adaptive sports suspension, xenon headlights, LED day-running-lights, a rear diffuser and an electronic locking differential.

On the road, whatever speed it's doing, the Scirocco is hugely impressive. The 123bhp 1.4 is more about style than speed, as a 0-62mph time of 9.7 secs proves. Given its relatively low asking price and decent economy, it is a sensible choice for someone who wants this car's looks more than performance. The 2.0-litre model records a sub seven second 0-62mph time. This is an outstanding performance and fully competitive with selected rivals, like the BMW 225i coupé. Meanwhile, the R is fast and offers very usable performance. The diesels aren’t especially swift, but they’re not slow either. Due to their immense torque (the flagship diesel offered 258lb ft) they're best seen as GT cars rather than sports models, as you don't have to chase every engine revolution to eke out excellent performance.