VOLKSWAGEN

Polo

With its excellent safety record and fabulous specification levels, the Polo is a great crowd pleaser. It holds four adults in comfort and is supplied with a price tag that will even keep the bank manager smiling.

Test Drive

Volkswagen Polo SE 1.0-litre 60PS 5-speed manual

It’s been around for almost four decades and is now in its fifth generation, but there’s no denying the overwhelming popularity of the Volkswagen Polo.

In fact, it’s the company’s second biggest seller in the UK.

And now it has just undergone a revamp to bring it bang up to date with all the demands of modern motoring.

Admittedly, design-wise there are not that many new stand-out features although the introduction of LED daytime running lights and lots of new on-board technology is certainly worth noting.

But it’s beneath the bonnet that the biggest changes occur with new Polo models delivering much improved economy without compromising on performance.

VW predicts the Polo SE 1.0-litre 60PS will be the biggest seller and despite its tiny three-cylinder engine (previously seen in the VW up!) this car still packs plenty of punch.

Priced at £12,435 plus £535 optional extras, it’s a very economical car and VW has certainly not cut back on any of its all-round appeal.

The three-door model is very easy on the eye with its smooth lines, 15-inch alloys, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, tinted windows, bold front end and distinctive BlueMotion badging that suggests the economy will be impressive – it is!

The interior is smart in its design with a clutter-free layout. Yet, it’s still richly equipped with the likes of a multi-media system controlled via a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel, air conditioning with dust and pollen filter and very clear instrumentation. Plus all controls and dials are ideally positioned for ease of use.

All occupants are treated to high standards of comfort with ample leg room in the back. Although be warned, passengers alighting from the back need to be careful not to catch their foot on the seat belt rail which runs parallel to the door sill.

Storage options within the Polo are impressive for such a compact vehicle. The generously-sized boot has a 208 litres capacity which can be increased to 952 litres thanks to 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Despite its small engine, the 1.0-litre Polo certainly doesn’t lack any power. I tested it on a road route that included long, steep, winding inclines and it didn’t falter once.

The gear shift prompter is on hand to help maximise fuel efficiency and according to official VW figures this car can achieve 60.1mpg on a combined run.

Admittedly, it’s not exactly the fastest out of the starting blocks taking 15.5 seconds to reach 62mph from a standing start, but it’s no slouch either and can easily hold its own alongside faster-moving traffic.

The petrol-powered car moved smoothly through the five-speed manual gearbox and the excellent all-round visibility is another bonus especially as most of its miles will be clocked up in busy city traffic with cars darting out from all angles. And the Polo’s compact dimensions make parking in tight spaces a complete breeze too.

As one would expect, VW has packed the car with a whole host of safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, numerous airbags, hydraulic brake assist, an immobiliser and plenty more besides.

All in all, the Polo is a car steeped in history, but the latest model proves it is very capable of moving with the times albeit in a graceful and stylish fashion. To sum up, it’s a really nice and very easy car to drive without any complications along the way.

Test Drive

Volkswagen Polo GTI 1.4 TSI 180PS

Topping the VW Polo range, the GTI model has a new look and performance credentials to match.

Being the most fuel-efficient GTI to date (combined figure of 47.9mpg), the latest model boasts sporty good looks including snazzy alloys, the GTI styling pack which features uniquely-shaped bumpers and body-coloured rear spoiler, red callipers and a chrome trimmed radiator grille.

And the quality of creature comforts built into this four-door beauty continues once you take your seat behind the leather trimmed, multi-function steering wheel.

The cloth seats are neatly set off by striking red stitching, which also features on the steering wheel, gear stick surround and carpets. The GTI logo is apparent throughout the cabin and the styling is completed with aluminium-styled pedals.

Other creature comforts include semi-automatic air conditioning with dust and pollen filter, electric windows, a multi-function computer, a great audio system with MP3/iPod and USB compatibility and CD player and lots more.

But for me, this Polo GTI is all about performance and it just loves to show off to the crowd.

The 1.4-litre petrol-driven engine boasts 180PS and the seven-speed automatic transmission is very responsive and smooth as it accelerates up through the gears.

This really is a car that offers the best of both worlds. It’s great to weave in and out of busy city centre traffic and very easy to park into tight spaces. And it can certainly hold its own with faster moving traffic too.

The driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility and there is ample space for a couple of adult passengers in the back.

The boot is reasonably sized but load capacity can easily be increased thanks to split-folding rear seats.

Elsewhere, there are a number of useful storage areas throughout the cabin.

My only criticism of this vehicle is the positioning of the central armrest – when lowered, it hampers accessibility to the handbrake.

But that small gripe aside, the Polo GTI is a great vehicle.

And as one would expect, VW has packed in plenty of safety specifications including anti-lock brakes, electronic stabilisation programme, numerous airbags and plenty more besides.

All in all to sum up, the new Polo GTI is a small car that is very big on personality and appeal – and it’s even priced just under the £20k mark too.

Test Drive

Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.4 85 PS (5-door)

I have come to the conclusion that Volkswagen should rename its Polo model Apollo because space is a factor it has certainly conquered.

Boasting a solid build quality that VW is renowned for along with striking sporty lines, the latest Polo is crammed with classy features and delivers a ride that impresses too.

From the second you open the driver’s door and take your position behind the wheel, it feels like the vehicle has been specifically crafted for your personal comfort and requirements. The centre console is slightly turned towards the driver for convenience and all dials, controls and read-outs are ideally positioned for ease of use.

In fact, there is an almost simplistic appearance to the design layout that is both effective and means the driver doesn’t have to spend half the journey fiddling with tiny buttons and mode controls to adjust the stereo’s volume or increase the air con temperature.

Inside the Polo, there is ample space for four adults to travel in comfort and back seat passengers are treated to a generous amount of legroom.

Storage is also adequately catered for with a large boot and a number of useful smaller compartments throughout the cabin.

Creature comforts include semi-automatic air con with dust and pollen filter, electric windows, an excellent sound system with MP3 and iPod compatibility, a multi-function computer and plenty more besides.

So with everyone sitting comfortably and suitably entertained, what about the drive itself? Once again, the Polo comes up trumps.

In and around town it is both agile and nimble which makes manoeuvring through congested city centres and parking in tight spaces a complete breeze.

Then out on the more open road, the 1.4-litre engine provided plenty of power and the seven-speed automatic transmission was very responsive. Road-holding was also excellent. Despite its size there is an almost invincible feel to the Polo – that’s because it has a really solid build and also down to the fact VW has packed the vehicle with a comprehensive list of quality safety features.

These include anti-lock brakes, hydraulic brake assist, electronic stabilisation programme, traction control, numerous airbags and plenty more.

And for added reassurance there is a first rate alarm system to keep away any uninvited attention.

All in all, for its asking price of £15,560 the Polo is outstanding value for money and there is the added knowledge that this vehicle will run and run and run…