Volkswagen Polo (2010-2018) Review

Volkswagen Polo prices from £7,105   Finance from £156.38 per month

Despite being replaced by a new model at the beginning of 2018, this version of the Volkswagen Polo remains a class-leading supermini. It still looks and feels like a mini version of the Volkswagen Golf and drives with a level of comfort and quietness that rivals a larger car. That quality has not been lost with age, a smaller version of the Golf's touchscreen media display with digital radio and Bluetooth is standard across the range and helps to keep it feeling up-to-date even in the shadow of its replacement.

You may find that it's all the car you'll need because there's space for two adults to sit comfortably in the back. It's only when you get to the very back that the Polo shows a weakness: the 280-litre boot is a little bit smaller than other superminis, though the Ford Fiesta does only beat it by 10 litres. The car does come with a good amount of internal storage, though, with large door bins, cupholders and a large, well-sized glovebox which also houses the CD player. We've listed the full VW Polo dimensions separately.

So far, so good - and sensible. The Polo really is a car that you buy with your head, because while it does look good, it's not particularly exciting. It's got none of the design flair that you'll find in a Mini Hatchback, Citroen C3 or Mazda 2.

It also feels steady, safe and smooth on the road, like a Citroen C3 and Skoda Fabia, rather than agile and nimble like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Mazda 2 and Mini Hatchback.

The engines are mainly designed with fuel economy in mind, with a couple of 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol options making up the majority. More powerful 1.4-litre petrols were available later, along with the GTI model. Efficient diesels came in 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre sizes, and are better suited to drivers who regularly take long motorway trips where they can pretty easily exceed 60mpg. It pays to ensure that you're buying the car with the correct engine for you.

The Polo was crash tested in 2009, just before going on sale for the first time, and received a five-star score from Euro NCAP. It's got plenty of safety equipment as standard, including two sets of Isofix mounts for securely attaching a child seat in the back, brakes that will automatically be applied after a crash to help prevent the car from skidding, and airbags front and side airbags for the driver and passenger.

However, the current Euro NCAP tests have become considerably harder, so rivals such as the spacious Honda Jazz, Citroen C3, Hyundai i20 and Mazda 2, which received four or five stars more recently, are likely much safer. Still, later models of the Polo are safer than earlier models due to the standard safety kit being improved over time.

 

Key facts

Warranty	3 years, 60,000 miles
Boot size	280 litres
Width	1,682mm
Length	3,972mm
Height	1,453mm

Best Volkswagen Polo for...

Best for Economy – Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI Match

The 1.4 TDI is the only diesel in the range and returns 83mpg, based on official figures. It was available in Match, R-Line and SEL trims.

Best for Families – Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI Match

The 1.2-litre SE offers a good blend of performance and economy, as well as a reasonable price. 5 doors mean easy access to rear seats for passengers.

Best for Performance – Volkswagen Polo GTI

The Polo GTI has 190hp and looks just like a mini version of the bigger, iconic Golf GTI. It comes in a choice of three and five-door models with manual or automatic (DSG) gearbox. It will go from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, which is quick even by today's standards.

One to Avoid – Volkswagen Polo 1.0 MPI S

The entry-level Polo comes with very little equipment for the price, plus the smallest 1.0-litre engine feels underpowered, especially if you regularly carry passengers.

Understanding Volkswagen Polo names

Engine 1.2 TSI 90 PS

Polo engines include petrol (MPI or TSI) and diesel (TDI) and the size is given in litres (here it's 1.2). Some engines are the same size but available with different levels of power, so you'll often see the horsepower provided, which can be written as PS. There are no hybrid or electric versions of the Polo, however a GTI performance hot hatch was available.

Gearbox DSG

DSG indicates an automatic gearbox. Most Polos were sold with a manual gearbox, though.

Match Trim

The Polo trims (S, SE, SE Design, Match, BlueMotion, BlueGT, R-Line, GTI) tell you the amount of equipment and general level of luxury of the car. S is the entry-level.

Volkswagen Polo Engines

Volkswagen Polo Trims

Volkswagen Polo Reliability and warranty

Used Volkswagen Polo

Other Editions