Almost New Buying Guide: Volkswagen Polo Car News

Each new generation of Volkswagen Polo manages to feel more adult than the one it replaces, and so does this sixth and current one, launched in 2018. However, its styling is also more attractive than its predecessors – an admission, perhaps, which today is as important as it is substance.

The Polo is based on a variant of the multi-talented MQB architecture of the Volkswagen Group and, as a result, the car drives comfortably and handles skillfully. It’s also bigger and more spacious than ever. It would seem perverse to offer a three-door version with all this newly found space, so the Polo is only available with five doors. And that’s not the only one, since most automakers no longer offer three-door versions of their smaller models.

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So this bigger, more spacious, better-to-drive, and easier-going Polo with is starting to look like a very accommodating little car, except its gasoline engines can trip you up. The problem lies with the three less powerful. These are three non-turbocharged pots making a 64 hp, 74 hp then 79 hp (the latter replaced the 74 hp unit). They’re a little cheaper to insure, but you really want to dig a little deeper for one of the turbocharged TSIs, producing 94bhp or 114bhp.

Our pick is the first, the 1.0 TSI 95. Like non-turbo engines, it has a five-speed gearbox (while the 1.0 TSI 115 has six-speed), but it’s flexible enough that you don’t miss the gear. additional cog. The remaining gasoline engine is the 197bhp 2.0-liter hot Polo GTI sedan. There is only one diesel. From launch, the 1.6-liter unit produced 79 horsepower but was later replaced by a 94-horsepower unit. It offers few advantages over oils and, as Volkswagen itself predicted, few have been sold. For the record, prices start at around £ 10,000 for a 2018 benchmark 1.6 TDI 80 SE with 50,000 miles, roughly the same price as the 1.0 TSI 95 SE equivalent.

The mature character of the Polo is reflected in its adult standard of kit level. Automatic emergency braking and air conditioning are standard even on the cheapest version, badged S. only available with the 1.0 TSI 115 engine) to the sporty R-Line (body kit and sport seats). These last two are not big sellers and are also more expensive. For example, a 2018 Polo 1.0 TSI 115 SEL with 33,000 miles costs £ 12,300, roughly the same as a Golf 1.0 TSI 110 SE of the same age and mileage. We know what we would buy.

Polo shirts are popular with city drivers, so expect the odd scuff of the parking lot and the wheel to grill. Otherwise, it’s tough little things that really feel a cut above their rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa. The car is also quite reliable.

Must know

The entry-level S version will not connect a smartphone to the infotainment without the App Connect option.