IF YOU missed the 1970s, you missed the birth of the hot-hatch era and its wave of finely tuned European compacts.

You may think you just missed a big slice in the evolution of the formation of the high-performance city car but, in fact, today’s incarnations are quicker, safer and better value than anything the 1970s delivered.

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is a perfect example. Drawing from its big sister, the Golf GTI, the equivalent Polo is a veiled sports hatch with docile city manners, a comfortable cabin, good feature list and the nimbleness to cope with urban congestion.

Its party trick is its performance, now improved thanks to a new drivetrain, that broadens its audience and more seriously takes on its predominantly French rivals.

For less than $30,000 plus on-road costs, it’s also about $14,500 cheaper than the Golf version. No argument here.

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