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Volkswagen Polo

The independent definitive Volkswagen Polo video review
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    By Jonathan Crouch

    The sixth generation Volkswagen Polo has been much improved in this updated form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

    Ten Second Reviewword count: 59

    The Volkswagen Polo supermini model line is one of the most successful in supermini history. This improved version of the MK6 design is more advanced than before and comes with a smarter, more up-market look. Features like a digital instrument panel and a whole raft of camera-driven safety and autonomous driving kit also borrow much from the class above.

    Backgroundword count: 145

    Why would you buy a Volkswagen Polo? You wouldn't buy it on price, because there are many rival superminis that cost less. Many of these cars will have more equipment inside them. Some will even be nicer to drive. That much-vaunted Volkswagen build quality is, statistically at least, something that the Japanese and Koreans covered off some time ago. So what's the appeal? It's simple. The Polo is all about understated refinement or, to put it another way, conspicuously not trying too hard to impress. Now this is a very hard trick to carry off. Try too hard and this Volkswagen loses its cool. Don't try hard enough and the car looks like a complacent trinket for posers, which is possibly even less desirable. So with this improved sixth generation Polo, the Wolfsburg brand is looking to land it square in that profitable sweet spot.

    Driving Experienceword count: 244

    Volkswagen always intended that this sixth generation Polo should ride like a much larger car and sure enough it does, easily shrugging off pock-marked urban surfaces, helped by its sophisticated light, stiff MQB A0 chassis, shared with cousins SEAT's Ibiza, Audi's A1 and Skoda's Fabia. Through the corners, this Polo isn't quite as agile as that SEAT or a rival Ford Fiesta - the rather light steering doesn't deliver a huge amount in terms of meaningful feedback - but body movements are well controlled and wider tracks deliver plenty of front end grip. A class-leading feature available across the Polo range is Volkswagen's clever assist system 'IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist', which brings together predictive ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Lane Assist to create a new assist system that enables partly automated driving. As for engines, well almost all buyers in our market are going to order a Polo with petrol power - specifically the 999cc three cylinder unit that now features in so many compact Volkswagen Group models. At the foot of the range, it appears in normally aspirated MPI form with 80PS. A better option though, if you can stretch to it, is the turbocharged TSI version of this unit, available with either 95PS and a choice of 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG auto transmission; or 110PS and a DSG auto 7-speed gearbox. DSG auto transmission is conditional for those who choose the 207PS 2.0-litre engine fitted to the flagship GTI hot hatch model.

    To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227

    Pictures (high res disabled)

    Statistics (subset of data only)

    Min

    Max

    Price:

    £17,800.00 (At 6 Oct 2021)

    £26,035.00 (At 6 Oct 2021)

    Insurance group 1-50:

    1

    29

    CO2 (g/km):

    118

    155

    Max Speed (mph):

    102 (1.0 80PS)

    0-62 mph (s):

    15.5 (1.0 80PS)

    Combined Mpg:

    47.9 (1.0 80PS)

    Length (mm):

    4053

    Width (mm):

    1964

    Height (mm):

    1461

    Boot Capacity (l):

    335

    1125

    Scoring (subset of scores)

    Category: Small Runabouts

    Performance
    60%
    Handling
    70%
    Comfort
    90%
    Space
    70%
    Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

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