UK Edition
Volkswagen Scirocco review: the best of both worlds?
Volkswagen has played a blinder with the Scirocco. With its scowling front end, squat stance and wide hips, it's chock-full of attitude.
So much so that you’d never suspect that, beneath its skin, sit the mechanicals of the humdrum VW Golf – and a version that’s no longer for sale any more, at that.
But having such ordinary origins has its benefits. The Golf is a great car in its own right, and along with its oily bits, the Scirocco borrows much of the Golf’s practicality, functionality and general sense of quality.
On paper, then, the Scirocco looks like a compact coupé that’s as usable as it is stylish. Quite a combination, in other words.
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Space 8/10
Square styling gives plenty of room
The Scirocco’s practical hatchback boot is more useful than that of a Peugeot RCZ, but it isn’t quite as spacious as a Seat Leon SC’s or a Kia Pro Cee’d’s.
You can also only fit two people in the sculpted rear seats of the Scirocco, compared with the three you can cram into the back of the Seat and Kia.
On the whole, though, the Scirocco is a practical choice. Its upright rear end gives way more space in the back than you’d find in more rakish coupés like the Peugeot RCZ and Audi TT.
We also like the fact that the two rear seats are positioned closer to the centre of the car than the fronts, giving their passengers a decent view out.
In the front seats, meanwhile, all’s well – there’s plenty of room for two adults, and a decent amount of room to stow away odds and ends
Comfort 7/10
A pain to ride in if you pick the wrong model
The Scirocco has quite firm suspension as standard, which makes choosing the right version all-important.
The R-Line, with its big 19-inch alloy wheels, can be quite wearing on a long journey as its stiff ride never settles down and the wide tyres make quite a bit of noise.
It makes more sense, therefore, to choose a GT with its 18-inch alloys, or better still, the base model with 17-inch wheels. These models are softer and quieter inside.
Otherwise, the Scirocco is easy to get comfortable in, with good, supportive seats and a plethora of steering wheel and seat adjustment.
Dashboard layout 7/10
Feels cheap in places
It’s hard to pick holes in the functionality of the Scirocco’s dashboard.
All the major controls are where you’d want them to be, while the dials are easy to read and the infotainment system is relatively straightforward
The only exception we can find is the steering wheel, which is laden with buttons that take a while to get to grips with, especially in models with more equipment.
However, the biggest problem with the Scirocco’s interior is the way it feels and looks.
True, there are some decent soft-touch materials on the dash top, steering wheel and gear lever, but the lower half of the dash is made of nasty, scratchy plastic, of which there’s just too much.
What’s more, the contrasting mix of materials is a bit of an assault on the eye. The Seat Leon SC and Audi TT both have much better conceived interiors.
Easy to drive 7/10
Good range of autos and light controls, but visibility is dire
There’s a binnacle on top of the dashboard that contains the oil temperature and boost gauges, as well as a chronometer; as sporty as this is, it really obscures your view at times.
It isn’t the only thing that does, though. All you can see in the rear-view mirror is the massive headrests of the rear seats and a tiny sliver of glass beyond. That, combined with the slim rear windows, makes for difficult reverse parking.
Fortunately, parking sensors come as standard on GT, R-Line and R models, though if you order a base Scirocco, they’re a rather expensive option.
Once you’re out on the road, though, driving the Scirocco is about as easy as it gets. Steering, pedals and gearchanges are all light enough for most people.
If you want to, you can specify an automatic gearbox on nearly every model – but keep in mind that the Scirocco uses the older six-speed version of VW’s DSG unit rather than the more modern seven-speed, which is smoother and faster to change gear.
Fun to drive 8/10
Petrol versions feel light and nimble
If you’re looking for an exciting car to drive, you’re best off sticking with a petrol-powered Scirocco.
The diesel isn’t bad to drive, but because the engine is heavier, it upsets the car’s balance, making it feel nose-heavy. It’s solid, safe, and has a decent amount of grip, but doesn’t really excite.
By contrast, petrol-engined versions are better balanced, turning in eagerly and changing direction quickly, and feeling very similar to the Golf GTI to which they’re related.
Steering feel isn’t exactly plentiful, but there’s enough to be getting along with, and the Scirocco feels stable and composed unless you’re really stupid with the controls.
The 1.4-litre engine is OK, but the 2.0-litre is the sweetest by far, and offers more than enough punch, whichever version you choose. The Scirocco R, meanwhile, is manic – which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your way of looking at it.
Reliability 8/10
A good record, but warranty could be better
The Scirocco scores pretty well in most reliability surveys; for example, in the 2013 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, it placed 36th out of 116 cars.
However, it only comes with a three-year warranty, with unlimited mileage for the first two years, and a limit of 60,000 miles in the third.
That’s bettered by Kia’s warranty offer, which is a massive 7 years, limited to 100,000 miles in the last four.
Fuel economy 7/10
About average
The Scirocco’s fuel consumption figures are neither exemplary nor horrific.
Like-for-like, they’re bested by those of the Audi TT and Seat Leon SC, and the wider choice of engines the Seat comes with means you can buy a very economical 1.6-litre diesel version not available in the Scirocco, too.
But the Scirocco is at least more economical than equivalent versions of the Peugeot RCZ and Kia Pro’ceed.
Affordability 7/10
Should hold its value, but there are cheaper alternatives out there
You’ll pay a lot more for a Scirocco than you will for a Kia Pro Cee’d, but surprisingly little more than you will for a Vauxhall Astra GTC – and the VW is probably a better, more desirable car than both.
An Audi TT will cost you more, though, which is probably excusable as it’ll hold its value better. The same can’t be said for the Peugeot RCZ, which is also more expensive to buy than the Scirocco.
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Safety 7/10
Slightly behind rivals, but not enormously so
The Scirocco is an older design than many of its rivals, which explains why it performs relatively poorly on pedestrian protection.
That drags its overall score from crash testing institution Euro NCAP down a touch, despite the fact that the Scirocco obtained respectable adult and child occupant protection ratings.
All Sciroccos come with front driver and passenger, and side impact and curtain airbags, as well as traction and stability control systems which will help to keep you on the straight and narrow in slippery conditions – all of which is par for the course.
Standard spec 8/10
Even the entry-level car comes with plenty of toys
The entry-level Scirocco comes with manual air conditioning, automatic headlamps and wipers, a digital radio tuner, a six-disc CD changer in the dash, Bluetooth connectivity, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
That’s probably enough for many people, but we’d recommend an upgrade to the GT for its standard front and rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control. As a bonus, the GT also gets satellite navigation, front fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
What’s more, there’s also a greater variety of engines available with the GT, and the 2.0-litre petrol engine comes with more power than in the base model.
If you want a sportier-looking Scirocco, you can upgrade further to the R-Line. This comes with a fancy bodykit, leather seats which are heated in the front, and a smattering of sportier trim throughout the interior, but it also has those 19-inch alloy wheels which, as we’ve already discussed, don’t do the ride quality any favours.
As well-equipped as the Scirocco is, some manufacturers do offer you more for your money. Like-for-like, the Peugeot RCZ tends to have more equipment; and the same can be said for the Kia Pro Cee’d GT, which costs less to buy.
Our favourite version
2.0 TSI GT, list price £24,945
Options to add Metallic paint (£540)
The verdict 7/10
For a car based on a model that’s since been replaced twice, the Scirocco is doing pretty well. But there’s no escaping the fact that it’s getting on a bit, and that’s starting to show in some areas.
Its fuel economy, for example, can’t match many of its more modern rivals’, while its interior isn't up to the standards of most other modern VWs.
That said, the petrol versions are pretty decent fun to drive, and its upright stance makes it more practical than many of its more rakish coupé rivals.
So if you like the way it looks – and it has to be said that the Scirocco does still look the part – you wouldn’t be doing yourself a disservice by buying one.