We bought the "R" as our main car, with an advertised mpg of 40 mpg. We drove it quite lightly and got approx 30 mpg. It's too soon to compare the GTI pp, as it's our second car but I hope the GTI pp will do mid to high 30's mpg. I realise you do not buy a "R" for mpg. but getting 28 - 30 seemed a bit severe.