The Volkswagen Scirocco is a compact FWD sports car made between 1972-and 1992 and between 2008-and 2017. The Scirocco is imagined as a more youthful, more exciting version of the VW Golf and that is why most people buy them. It might not be a particularly popular VW, but is Volkswagen Scirocco a good car?
Yes, it is. The reason why the Scirocco is a good car is that it comes with fairly potent engines that are both efficient and sophisticated and because it looks great both inside and out. The Scirocco is likely one of the best-looking VW sports cars to ever come out, especially the newest model which still looks brand-new.
The Scirocco is also a relatively reliable car if maintained correctly, but we are going to list the most common Scirocco issues in this article. The driving experience is much more focused when compared to the Golf because the Scirocco is lower to the ground, wider, and stiffer.
Value-wise, the Scirocco is decent, but if you are lucky to find an undervalued example, you should indeed consider it. Practicality is not the Scirocco’s strong suit because the car is not all that easy to get in and out of, it only comes with two doors and the available space is nothing to brag about.
VW Scirocco – The powerplant
The first two generations of the Scirocco had small petrol engines with power outputs between 60hp and 140hp. However, most people are interested in the 2008 and later models and those are the ones we are going to focus on in this article. The 2008+ Scirocco engine palette consists of a few 4-cylinder petrol and gasoline options.
The smallest Scirocco engine is the 1.4L TSI with power between 122hp and 160hp. If you want the best Scirocco engine, you will have to go for the 2.0L TSI engine that offers up to 280hp in the Scirocco R model. The Scirocco is available both with a manual box, or the VW proprietary DSG dual-clutch which is the preferred option for many.
All VW Scirocco models come with a FWD setup which means that you can not get an AWD Scirocco model. It’s also worth mentioning that the 2.0L TDI diesel engine with up to 190hp is the most efficient engine because it returns up to 55MPG if you take it slowly.
VW Scirocco – Design and chassis
One of the main reasons why people like the Scirocco is the exterior design characterized by strong creases emphasized shoulder lines and an aggressive front end that still manages to look fresh. The R-Line models are by far the best-looking ones. The interior of the Scirocco is also decent with a few exclusive Scirocco touches.
The driving experience is not too different from the Golf, but you do feel the sporty edge. The Scirocco is comparably stiffer when compared to other VW hatchbacks and is also lower to the ground which means that it handles a lot better, especially the R model.
VW Scirocco – Reliability and common issues
The Scirocco has always been a reliable car if maintained correctly. This means that it can, and will last you a long time if you take care of it. The most common VW Scirocco issues are associated with the engine, the steering wheel clockspring, the ESC/ABS, the equipment, and the electronics.
VW Scirocco – Value and practicality
The Volkswagen Scirocco is slightly more expensive than a comparable Golf and that is what hurts the Scirocco the most. Everyone is aware that the Golf is a great car and because it is more practical and more affordable, most people skip buying the Scirocco. However, if you prefer a dynamic driving experience, you should consider the Scirocco over the VW Golf, even if it costs a bit more.
One of the greatest drawbacks of the VW Scirocco is its practicality. A 2-door, low-slung compact hatchback is never going to be practical and that is also why most people avoid buying the Scirocco. This means that you need to choose what you value more, design and sportiness, or practicality and usability.
FAQ Section
Why did Volkswagen discontinue the Scirocco?
According to some credible sources, the reason why VW ditched the Scirocco is that VW needed to create some space after the Dieselgate scandal. Many people also say that the Beetle and the Scirocco were both axed for these very reasons, but VW is discontinuing cars left and right anyway. This does not mean that the Scirocco is not going to come back, but no one knows when or if.
Another reason why VW decided to ditch the Scirocco is that they are restructuring their offerings to include more electric cars. The VW ID. range is ever-expanding which means that we could see an electric VW sports car that should replace the Scirocco.
Should I buy a VW Scirocco?
If you are interested in an affordable 2-door hatchback sports car, the VW Scirocco is certainly a worthwhile option. The Scirocco indeed costs more compared to a Golf, but the Scirocco also retains its value better. Moreover, as VW discontinued the Scirocco, there is a great deal of chance that the latest model is going to retain value even better.
All in all, if you do like the Scirocco, try to find one with not too many miles on the clock and one with a full service history. The best model to go for is the Scirocco R because it offers the best engine, and best driving experience, and is the most desirable model.
How fast is the Volkswagen Scirocco?
The Volkswagen Scirocco is actually a really fast car considering the power outputs. Even the weakest 1.4L TSI model can do 0-60mph in around 9 seconds. The top-of-the-line DSG-equipped Scirocco R can do 0-60mph in about 5 seconds which is a fairly decent number for a FWD 280hp car. These are on part with current Golf GTI models while Golf R models are even faster because they are AWD.
All in all, the reason why people buy the Scirocco is predominantly the design and handling. 5 seconds 0-60mph is decent, but the Scirocco corners a lot better than comparable Golf models.
