Faults:

Soot accumulation on the intake valves.

Mild to moderate oil consumption between service intervals if the engine is driven hard while cold.

The electric mechanism fails over the years due to the accumulation of dirt in the tracks.

The fuel filler flap latch and the tailgate struts tend to lose strength with use.

General Comments:

The interior might not be the most visually appealing, but the material quality is good, featuring plenty of soft-touch plastics and sturdy controls.

Quality of the upholstery is generally good, though not excellent, after all, it is a Volkswagen, not a Mercedes.

While the grey and black color scheme may not appeal to everyone, the front seats feature deep side bolsters and provide excellent lateral support for the upper body. The manually adjustable seats offer a wide range of movement, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. However, outward visibility is compromised by the thick, rearward-sloping A-pillars at the front, as well as the sharply rising beltline and the rear headrests. The rear seats offer good lateral support, though headroom is limited. Legroom is also acceptable, but due to the narrowness of the Scirocco's body, it is strictly a four-seater.

It emits a sporty exhaust purr at idle and a powerful intake roar under full acceleration. And although the sound is always somewhat raw, it is not at all annoying when cruising at highway speeds.

The Scirocco comes equipped with adaptive dampers featuring three modes: Normal, Comfort, and Sport. Forget about using Sport mode anywhere other than a racetrack; it is too firm for daily driving. Their adaptability enhances overall comfort and even aids traction during acceleration, as it allows the suspension to adjust to bumps rather than simply skipping over them. Cornering grip is exemplary for a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, though traction under acceleration is limited. This issue is less noticeable on dry roads, but in the rain, the Scirocco tends to understeer.

The standard equipment list includes an onboard computer, bi-xenon headlights with light sensors, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, 19-inch alloy wheels, and LED daytime running lights. Eight-speaker audio system features a six-disc CD changer, an SD card slot, a USB port, and Bluetooth audio and phone integration. Rear parking sensors and auto-dimming rearview mirrors also come as standard.

The Scirocco GT engine is a gem. The best way to drive it is by making the most of its potent mid-range. Peak power is reached at 6,000 rpm, so there is little point in revving it all the way to 6,800 rpm. Instead, shifting gears just past the 6,000 rpm mark allows the tachometer needle to drop right into the heart of the torque band, resulting in maximum acceleration. After an initial moment of turbo lag, boost builds cleanly and linearly.

The car stands out on its own merits. It offers easily accessible performance, an attractive design, and handling that puts most other hot hatches to shame.