Throughout its almost half century of history, the VW Polo has always been highly regarded. But it’s never taken the spotlight in the same way as its iconic elder brother, the VW Golf. That’s changing, though: the latest iteration of the Polo has narrowed the gap between the two like never before.
The new Polo model is bigger than ever, and significantly better to drive than its predecessors. And when you add into the mix its classy trims and roomy interior, it’s hardly surprising it’s been such a huge seller.
Choosing the right model should be a pretty straightforward decision. For starters, there’s just the 1.0L petrol engine, available in three different power outputs. And there are just three trim levels: the entry-level Life trim, which comes with a reasonable amount of standard kit, and then either the Style trim for that touch of luxury, or the R-Line to make your Polo that bit sportier. The Style and R-Line cost the same, so it’s all about your priorities.
The Polo is up against some seriously accomplished rivals, including the practical Honda Jazz, sporty SEAT Ibiza, comfortable Škoda Fabia and big-selling Ford Fiesta, not to mention the premium offerings in the class, like the Audi A1 and Mini 5dr. But before we explore how the Polo stacks up against the competition, let’s check out its key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £19,000–£28,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £7,000–£9,000 / £139–£181 a month |
| Trims | 4 |
| Engines | 4 |
| Available fuels | Petrol |
| mpg range across all versions | 41–54 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years/60,000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £1,000/£2,000 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £2,000/£4,000 |
Equipment, options and extras
When it comes to trim, we recommend keeping things simple: the entry-level Life trim keeps costs down while getting you a respectable amount of standard kit, including AC, automatic wipers, 15in alloy wheels, heated and power-folding door mirrors, and an 8in touchscreen infotainment system. But if you do want to spend a little extra, the Style and R-Line trims cost the same, and both come with 16in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, adjustable lumbar support, and a 10.25in digital cockpit. Style includes matrix LED headlights, while R-Line introduces sportier styling.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The entry-level VW Polo is cheaper as a cash buy than the Renault Clio, and more expensive than the Škoda Fabia and SEAT Ibiza, but it’s predicted to hold on to its value better than any of those competitors. Either way, you’ll pay less for the Polo than for the hybrid-powered Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris, and a lot less than for the Audi A1.
Probably the Polo’s best engine is the 1.0 TSI 95, which manages 51–54mpg, depending on which gearbox you opt for. The 5-speed manual version averages 46mpg, marginally better than the figures for the Fabia and Ibiza. But if fuel efficiency is a priority, the hybrid Jazz and Yaris return far superior mpg figures.
Safety and security
Euro NCAP awarded the VW Polo a full five stars for safety. It comes with automatic emergency braking as standard, meaning the Polo can stop itself at low speeds without you pressing the brake if it senses you’re about to hit another vehicle. Lane-keeping assistance also comes as standard across the range, and there’s optional blind-spot monitoring. As for security, remote locking and an engine immobiliser come as standard.
Reliability
The Polo comes with a 3-year or 60,000-mile warranty as standard, and you can extend it to 4 or 5 years for a reasonable price. That’s par for the course in this day and age, and if you seek better cover you might want to consider Renault and Hyundai. Both offer 5-year warranties as standard. Kia offers a 7-year warranty.
The Car Planet verdict
The VW Polo is a big seller for good reason: it’s a fantastic all-rounder. It’s smart and roomy inside, good to drive, and comfortable on long journeys. It’s pricier than some of its competitors, but that cost is largely offset by its strong resale value. That being said, some of the Polo’s hybrid rivals offer superior fuel economy, and the closely related Škoda Fabia is a generally more refined equivalent.
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