The VW Golf and VW Polo are two of the brand’s most popular models—but which is better?
Both are compact hatchbacks positively brimming with exceptional interiors and engine options ranging from efficient to sporty. Choosing between them can be a tough call. So before we even get into the ins and outs, let’s compare their key stats.
| VW Golf | VW Polo | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-new price range | £25,000–£42,000 | £19,000–£28,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £6,000–£16,000 / £126–£313 a month | £7,000–£9,000 / £139–£181 a month |
| Trims | 8 | 4 |
| Engines | 11 | 4 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, diesel, hybrid | Petrol |
| mpg range across all versions | 67–235 | 41–54 |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles | 3 years / No mileage cap |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £500 / £3,000 | £1,000 / £2,000 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £1,000 / £6,000 | £2,000 / £4,000 |
Driving experience
Both the VW Golf and Polo are truly excellent to drive, with suspension that gives a superb balance of comfort and handling. The Golf is quieter when it comes to driving at high speeds, but the Polo’s smaller size is better for threading through the city and squeezing into parking spaces.
Both cars’ R-Line versions come with larger alloy wheels and feel that bit sportier than other models—although that bit stiffer, too. If performance and sportiness are top of your checklist, try the GTI and R models—both are fun and speedy! There’s the GTI, too, but it’s neither as fast nor as enjoyable a drive as the sportier models. Both offer a great range of engines, all modern and efficient—but while every Golf engine gives you nippy acceleration, the least powerful engines in the Polo sometimes feel a bit slow on the uptake.
Practicality
The VW Golf is the larger of the two and has more interior space, although the difference isn’t as great as you might imagine, given the Polo’s surprising roominess. Two adults can fit comfortably in the rear of either car, although if you’ve got three adults riding in the back then the Golf gives slightly more room for knees and shoulders.
Both cars’ boots are big compared to those of their competitors. The Golf’s is the largest at 380L, but the Polo trails only slightly at 351L. You’ll easily fit your luggage in the Golf’s boot for a few days away, whereas you’ll have to pack a bit more smartly if you’re taking the Polo. But both cars provide plenty of additional storage spaces, including large front door pockets and handy cupholders.
Most used Golfs are five-door, but you’ll find a few three-doors here and there as well. These aren’t as easy to get in and out of, but they are actually just as capacious as their five-door counterparts. The Polo is available only as a five-door. And remember that if maximising luggage space is a priority, you might want to consider the estate version of the Golf, which comes with a massive 605L boot.
Interior
The Golf and Polo share the classy yet understated interior we’ve come to expect from Volkswagen. There’s little to differentiate them, although it’s probably fair to say that the Golf has a slightly higher-quality ambience. But then the Polo has a more youthful character, partly because you can specify the colour of your panels to create a brighter, bolder environment (if that’s your kind of thing).
The infotainment systems in the earlier Golfs were less sophisticated than in those produced after 2017, so look out for the most modern versions if up-to-date features are a must for you. For example, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay didn’t come in until 2016. Later Golfs have a bigger and higher-definition touchscreen, although you could argue that the earlier systems, with their greater proliferation of buttons and dials, were actually more user-friendly.
Costs
The VW Golf and Polo vary dramatically in cost depending on the age and specifications of the versions you compare, but in general you’ll find that the Polo costs less to buy and demands less fuel, given that it’s smaller and lighter than the Golf, which isn’t as fuel-efficient. Your insurance premiums are also likely to be lower with the Polo because of its lower insurance groupings.
The electric (e-Golf) and plug-in hybrid (GTE) versions of the Golf will cost you more to buy than most petrol or diesel versions, but in time they bring the potential of lower ownership costs. If you have somewhere to charge the GTE and you’re mainly driving short journeys, you can take advantage of its electric-only range to keep petrol costs to a minimum. With the e-Golf you can look forward to electricity costs that are just a fraction of what you’d expect to pay for petrol or diesel at the same mileage.
Find your perfect VW Golf or Polo at Car Planet
There’s no bad choice between the VW Golf and Polo. The Polo is hugely appealing, one of the best small hatchbacks going, and costs less to buy and run than the Golf. It’s also surprisingly practical when you consider its size. But the Golf is more spacious and offers a wider range of engines. Its interior is a little more comfortable, and it’s great that you can choose between the three-door, five-door and estate models. And whether the VW Golf or Polo has piqued your interest, well—we can help!
Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand VW Golfs and VW Polos today and let’s get the ball rolling!
