The Golf GTI has always overshadowed the Polo GTI, but VW’s ridiculous modern pricing structures—over £38k for a Golf—have led many people to VW’s smaller offering as a means to save money while maintaining 80% of the performance. 

Those who downsize to the Polo GTI are usually gobsmacked by how little extra performance and handling prowess the Golf offers. 

No other small hot hatch is as good an all-rounder as the Polo GTI, but does the current Mk6 model have what it takes to achieve future classic status?

The Signs Are Promising

While not the most visceral hot hatch on the market today, the Mk6 Polo GTI ticks many boxes that bode well for it, garnering a classic following in years to come. Its 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder TSI engine is an absolute firecracker, pumping out 197 bhp - more than enough to keep keen drivers entertained. 0-62 mph arrives in just 6.5 sizzling seconds.

The Polo GTI pairs this eager performance with typical Volkswagen quality, refinement, and generous space for a supermini. The cabin overflows with premium materials and tech like Volkswagen's latest digital cockpit. It's a smart, upmarket place to spend time.

Purists may lament the lack of a manual gearbox - VW only offers its slick 7-speed DSG dual-clutch auto in the GTI with no cog-slinger in sight - but this does bring rapid gear changes, and the official 41.5 mpg combined figure is strong for such a potent hot hatch.

On the looks front, the Mk6 GTI wears its performance ambitions subtly but purposefully with a gorgeous Polo GTi Mk6 front bumper, side skirts and 17-inch alloys for just the right amount of visual aggression. It has a real road presence without being too showy.

All these ingredients suggest the latest Polo GTI has the makings of a future icon for collectors seeking an affordable, usable, but still thrilling classic hot hatch.

Exclusivity Guaranteed

Another potential boost to future classic status is that the Polo GTI hasn't been produced in huge volumes, unlike some rivals. It remains a niche choice compared to the ubiquitous Ford Fiesta ST and the Vauxhall Corsa VXR.

Volkswagen has also offered up special editions to spice things up over the years. The Polo GTI Cup models brought power hikes, aesthetic tweaks, and limited build numbers, making them even more desirable as collector's items.

The warmly regarded Mk5 GTI started with a potent Cup Edition featuring 192 hp and racier suspension tuning. The Mk6 GTI could follow suit with a run-out 'Final Edition' to bookend its production cycle.

The Verdict

When it comes to making a future classic car, the complete package has performance, driving dynamics, distinctive styling, and a degree of exclusivity. The Mk6 Volkswagen Polo GTI arguably ticks all those boxes while adding impressive real-world usability.

It may not be the last word in hot hatch thrills, but few cars of its era blend accomplished everyday transport with accessible fun like the Polo GTI. Add in a pedigree stretching back decades, and you have a model with all the hallmarks of an icon in the making. Those who appreciate its charms today could be sitting on a future gold mine.