Volkswagen Polo review

We tested the popular new Volkswagen Polo supermini on Irish roads.

Pros: Sophisticated, well-built, spacious. 

Cons: Not as fun to drive as some rivals.

The Volkswagen Polo is one of Ireland’s favourite small cars and has been for many years. The latest version has been smartened up inside and out, with more standard features than ever before. But is it enough to keep the Polo at the top of its game in the supermini class?

Volkswagen Polo Design

The Volkswagen Polo is one of the classiest small cars you can buy with a smart and understated presence. The latest update sees some changes to the front and rear design for a more mature look. LED headlights are now standard across the range with some versions getting more advanced matrix LED units. At the back, the lights are now LED and the clusters have a new horizontal design.

There are three trim levels for the Polo on sale in Ireland – Life, Style and R-Line. Wheel sizes vary from 15- to 16-inch, with the option of a 17-inch set. R-Line models are styled as the sportiest of them all with 16-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels as standard, sportier bumpers and exterior trim finishing in gloss black.

Volkswagen Polo Interior

The Polo has a great cabin for a small car. The design is not quite as stylish as a Peugeot 208 or a Renault Clio, but everything is very logically laid out and the build quality feels good too. There’s plenty of modern equipment on board, including a fully digital driver display as standard and a new steering wheel. Life models make do with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, but Style and R-line versions get an impressive 8-inch unit. Apple Car Play and Android Auto is standard across the range. 

Other standard features include air conditioning, four electric windows and a leather wrapped steering wheel, as well as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. For a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control, you’ll want to go up to the Style trim. The R-line model has a slightly sportier ambience with sports seats, black roofliner, and stainless steel pedals.

The Polo is definitely one of the more spacious small cars you can buy, feeling bigger inside than the Peugeot 208 or Toyota Yaris. The rear doors open wide and there’s Isofix child seat anchors on the two outer rear seats and front passenger seat, making it ideal for family buyers. The Polo seals the deal with one of the biggest boots in the class at 351 litres that also features a two position boot floor and a spare wheel!

Volkswagen Polo Performance & Drive

Volkswagen has streamlined the Polo engine range in Ireland and it’s now available with just a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 95hp. You can choose between a five-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox. Turns out it’s an ideal engine for the Polo, feeling nippy at lower speeds around town and providing enough in-gear punch to keep up with the best of them on bigger roads. The five-speed manual gearbox has to be worked at times to keep the engine in its sweet spot, but it settles down well to a cruise on the motorway. So much so that you don’t actually miss a sixth gear. It’s also efficient by class standards.

On the road the Polo feels light and agile, with well-weighted controls and plenty of front end grip. It’s not the most fun to drive small car if that’s important to you, but it does feel very mature and settled on the road. It also rides very well so it’s one of the most comfortable and refined small cars you can buy.

Volkswagen Polo Pricing

The Volkswagen Polo is on sale priced from €23,840 for the Polo Life, from €25,840 for the Polo R-Line and from €26,995 for the Polo Style. Automatic versions are available for about €2,000 more.

Carzone Verdict

The Volkswagen Polo has matured into a very handsome small car. It’s a great all-rounder, which makes it suitable for a lot of people, from families to young drivers. If you’re looking for a small hatchback that’s stylish, practical and efficient, this Volkswagen Polo has to be on your list.
 

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