Volkswagen Scirocco GT 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology DSG 3dr Car Review - March 2012

One of the main plus points about the Scirocco is that it handles well, with plenty of grip and steering that is adjustable to suit the driver, and is fun to drive too. The accelerator responds quickly and smoothly and the adaptive chassis control delivers a ride that strikes a good balance between delivering feedback and a comfortable ride. The driving position in the Scirocco is fine with seats that can be adjusted along with the steering wheel, but the rear window is a little small and this does affect the visibility to the rear of the car.

The diesel engine is a little more muted than the petrol engines in terms of the performance, but this is repaid in the efficiency. The acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in 9.3 seconds, and the top speed of 127mph is also plentiful for most drivers. The cabin is generally fairly calm even when driving at motorway speeds, but the diesel engine can be a little noisy when it is worked hard.

The Scirocco is a very attractive coupe that still looks like a Volkswagen, with a narrow grille that is balanced on each side by the small headlight clusters. The large air intakes at the bottom of the front end give the car an aggressive stance, which is reinforced by the lines of the car that sees the roof slant towards the back of the car. Inside the car there is a lot of information to take in on the dashboard, and the buttons on the centre console are also fairly uniform.

The level of equipment included with the Scirocco is fairly good, with climate control included as standard, and one of the most attractive features is the 18-inch alloy wheels. There is also a CD stereo with a multi-disc changer, and the car also has tinted windows and Bluetooth connectivity which do give the car a classy feel.

Many people won't be expecting too much in terms of the practicality of the car as it is a coupe, but one of the benefits is that the back seats are usable, but a little difficult to get into for taller or larger people. The boot is a reasonable size, but it isn't going to be able to cope with large loads and isn't as practical as a hatchback. The Scirocco also boasts an excellent reputation for reliability.

Moreover, this version of the car has plenty of safety equipment included as standard, and there are plenty of driving aids to help keep the car stable and under control. There is also a good range of airbags included with the car, that have helped it to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test.

The list price for this version of the Volkswagen Scirocco is £25,055, which is quite competitive for a car in this class.

The 2.0 litre diesel engine is one of the most economical in the range, and the fuel efficiency figures of 57.6mpg are particularly impressive for a car with an automatic gearbox. The insurance group is quite reasonable meaning that premiums shouldn't be too high, and the Scirocco's desirability means that resale values are very good indeed. The car is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty and a one year roadside breakdown assistance policy.