VOLKSWAGEN

VOLKSWAGEN POLO HATCHBACK 1.0 Life 5dr

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionManual

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph15.5s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2124 g/km

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.

GET MINTED

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

Ten Second Review

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.

Background

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 Experience

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.

Design and Build

The visual updates made to this sixth generation Polo are a little more noticeable than the changes made to its SEAT Ibiza cousin. If you know your Polos, you'll notice the smoother front end styling, which can now include the brand's piercing 'IQ.Light' intelligent LED matrix headlights, which allow individual settings for different driving conditions and environments. At the rear, there are revised, more Golf-like, tail lamp clusters. The result is a more mature, grown-up level of pavement presence. Inside, a key change is the incorporation of Volkswagen's 'Digital Cockpit', an 8.0-inch digital instrument screen to replace the standard binnacle dials - as standard equipment. This display grows to 10.25-inches in size further up the range from 'Style-spec. Otherwise though, the cabin is much as before, with its horizontally-orientated dashboard and a high placement for the 8.0-inch centre-dash 'Ready 2 Discover' infotainment screen. An upper cross-panel flows across the dash into the doors and can be colour-personalised to suit your taste. In the back, you may, as before, find that this design's relatively high waistline and shallow rear window make it feel a touch enclosed, but rear quarter light windows help and there's class-competitive elbow and legroom. Out back, there's a 355-litre boot, significantly bigger than the trunk offered in a Ford Fiesta. Fold the rear seats and up to 1,125-litres of space can be freed up.

Market and Model

List pricing for this car actually starts from around £21,000. In practice though, it's pretty difficult to imagine many Polo owners paying much less than £23,000 and some will be shelling out a figure somewhere in the £24,000 to £26,000 bracket. The range kicks off with 'Life'-spec models, then you get mid-range 'Match' and 'Style' variants, with plush 'R-Line' derivatives at the top of the mainstream range. You'll need a budget of around £30,000 if you want the top 2.0 TSI 207PS Polo GTI. This enhanced model introduces big-car technology to this compact Volkswagen. For example, the entry-level Polo 'Life' variants feature the brand's 'Travel Assist' system as standard for 95PS 'Life' models and above - making the Polo one of the first models in its segment to offer partly automated driving. LED headlights, Adaptive Cruise Control and an 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit are also among the enhanced Polo's factory-fit equipment, with handy features such as two front and two rear USB sockets, power-folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors, and automatic rain-sensing wipers also included as standard. The Polo's 8.0-inch 'Ready 2 Discover' infotainment system is built on the third-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) and therefore brings App-Connect, which uses either a USB connection or Bluetooth link to activate smartphone mirroring via the central touchscreen. The blend of value, technology and appeal of the 'Life' trim means that it is expected to take around 75% of Polo sales in the UK.

Cost of Ownership

All of the Polo engines on offer are decently frugal. Let's get to the WLTP-rated fuel and CO2 stats. With the base unit, the 80PS version of the 1.0-litre MPI engine, you're supposed to be able to achieve up to 51.5mpg on the combined cycle and up to 124g/km of CO2. In contrast, in a 95PS 1.0 TSI turbo variant, those figures improve to 54.3mpg and 118g/km with a manual gearbox: it's 50.4mpg and 128g/km if you opt for that 1.0-litre TSI engine with a DSG auto gearbox and 110PS. What else? Well, the three year/60,000 mileage warranty isn't anything to write home about in a marketplace where other rivals offer more. But there is a choice of either 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' servicing regimes, depending on the mileage you expect to cover, the 'Fixed' package appropriate for cars covering under 10,000 miles a year. Residual values will continue to be strong: with the previous generation version, you could expect to get between 44 and 51% of your original purchase price back after three years or 36,000 miles. We don't expect that kind of showing to change much this time round.

Summary

So, where does all that leave us? Well, in one of those situations where much has changed - but nothing is really very different. This improved version of the sixth generation Polo is a step on from its predecessor but if you want one, the reasons why will probably be much as they've always been with this car: it feels a quality cut above its rivals. Opting for one of these suggests that you choose to drive a small car, rather than necessarily needing to. It's a small but significant difference. At the end of the day, there's much to be said for an extra touch of quality and class. Seek those as your priorities and you'll find this little supermini more than happy to oblige.

  • Rain sensor
  • Electric front windows
  • Rear electric windows
  • Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay
  • Heat insulating glass in side and rear windows
  • Heat insulating glass windscreen

  • ESC (Electronic stability control) + EDL (Electronic Differntial lock) and ASR (Traction control)
  • Front assist including city emergency braking
  • Hill hold control
  • Anti-lock brake system
  • Rear drum brakes
  • Front disc brakes

  • Rear shock absorpion
  • Front wheel drive

  • Bluetooth mobile phone interface
  • Wireless app connect
  • Preparation for We connect and We connect plus

  • Power assisted speed sensitive steering
  • Lane keeping system Lane Assist
  • Cruise control + speed limiter
  • Driver alert system

  • Standard rear axle

  • Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened
  • Washer fluid level indicator
  • Speedo and rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display and fuel gauge
  • Emergency call service
  • Trip computer

  • Body colour door mirrors
  • Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror
  • Power folding adjustable/heated exterior mirrors and front passenger exterior mirror lowering function

  • Lava stone black gloss/matt decorative inserts in dash and front door panels

  • Start-stop system with battery regeneration (recuperation - energy recovery during braking)

  • Diversity antenna for FM reception
  • DAB Digital radio

  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour bumpers
  • Chrome plated radiator grille inserts, air vent surrounds and light switch surrounds

  • Rear fog light

  • Leather trimmed gear knob
  • Handbrake lever handle in leather
  • Ceramique headliner
  • Hartley/Thomas cloth upholstery
  • Door and side trim panel
  • 2 USB-C ports in the front, 2 USB-C charging sockets on the center console in the rear
  • Standard pedal cluster
  • Front centre armrest
  • Luggage compartment cover
  • 12V power socket in centre console
  • Multifunction steering wheel
  • Luggage compartment floor

  • Luggage compartment lighting
  • 2 front and 2 rear reading lights

  • Light and vision pack - Polo

  • Extended and predictive pedestrian/ cyclist protection
  • Front curtain and side airbags with center airbag
  • Drivers and front passengers safety optimised head restraints
  • 3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • Single tone horn
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts

  • 3 rear head restraints
  • Driver and front passenger seat height adjustment
  • Front seat backrest storage pockets
  • Front standard seats
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat and rear seat bench not split
  • Isofix child seat preparation easy-fit (for two outer rear seats, and front passenger seat) compatible with I-size

  • Anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn, and towing protection
  • Alarm with interior protection
  • Remote central locking with 2 remote folding keys
  • Electronic engine immobiliser
  • Anti-theft wheel bolts

  • Driver/passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

  • Low rolling resistance tyres

  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 124
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Max: 129
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Min: 124
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Particles: N

  • CC: 999
  • Cylinders: 3
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 12
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Transmission: MANUAL
  • Gears: 5 SPEED

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Low - Min: 44.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Low - Max: 42.8
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium - Min: 55.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium - Max: 53.3
  • WLTP - MPG - High - Min: 58.9
  • WLTP - MPG - High - Max: 56.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Min: 48.7
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Max: 46.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 51.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 49.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - Min: 6.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - Max: 6.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Min: 5.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Max: 5.3
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - Min: 4.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - Max: 5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - Min: 5.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - Max: 6.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Min: 5.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Max: 5.7

  • Generation Mark: 6
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: False
  • Coin Series: Life
  • Coin Description: N
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Service Interval Mileage: 18600
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5
  • Badge Power: 80
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False

  • Engine Power - BHP: 80
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 15.5
  • Top Speed: 106
  • Engine Power - KW: 59
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 69
  • Engine Torque - NM: 93
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 3700
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 9.5

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Tyre Size Front: 185/65 R15
  • Wheel Style: ESSEX
  • Tyre Size Rear: 185/65 R15
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 15" ALLOY
  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False

  • Height: 1451
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 4074
  • Width: 1751
  • Wheelbase: 2552

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1057
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1590
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 800
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 560
  • Max. Loading Weight: 533
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 351
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Roof Load: 75
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1380
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.6

  • Rear tinted glass from B-pillar backwards approx 65% tinted: £200

  • Front + rear carpet mats: £100

  • Mobile phone interface with inductive charging: £105

  • Rear view camera: £250
  • Front and rear parking sensors: £440
  • Multifunction camera: Included

  • Discover media navigation system including streaming and internet: Included
  • 8" Digital cockpit basic display: Included
  • Digital Cockpit Pro with 10.25" Display: £300
  • Discover navigation pro system including streaming and internet with 9.2" colour touch screen, 3D map view and Traffic sign recognition: £1,325
  • Discover Navigation including Streaming and Internet with 8" colour touch screen: £535

  • Beats audio system with 6 speakers, digital 8 channel amplifier, subwoofer, 300w total power output: £445
  • Front and rear 6 speakers: Included

  • Electric panoramic sunroof with glass sliding and tilting: £820
  • Special metallic paint: £695
  • Special solid paint: £360
  • Metallic paint: £595
  • Pearlescent paint: £595
  • Solid paint: Included

  • LED Headlights: Included
  • Front fog lights with static cornering function: £200
  • Headlight range adjustment: Included
  • Automatic headlight control with LED separate daytime running lights with coming/leaving home function: Included
  • LED rear combination lamps: Included

  • Air care climatronic air conditoning system with active combination filter and 2-zone temperature control: £435
  • Manual air conditioning: Included

  • Driver's assistance pack - Polo: £840
  • Smoking pack - Polo: £35
  • IQ LED matrix headlights pack - Polo: £1,050

  • Metallic - Vibrant violet: £595
  • Metallic - Reflex silver: £595
  • Metallic - Reef blue: £595
  • Metallic - Smokey grey: £595

  • Pearl - Deep black: £595

  • Solid - Ascot grey: £0

  • Special solid - Pure white: £360
  • Special metallic - Kings red: £695

  • Lumbar adjustment for front seats: £105
  • Heated front seats: £295

  • Keyless locking and starting system keyless access with safelock: £330

  • Removable/lockable towbar: £700

  • Hartley/Thomas cloth - Titan black: £0

  • 15" Essex alloy wheels: Included
  • 15" Ronda alloy wheels: £0
  • 16" Torsby alloy wheels: £430

  • Full size spare wheel and tool kit: £100
  • Space and weight saving spare wheel including tool kit: £100
  • Tyre mobility kit: Included

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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