Category: Superminis 
Price Range: £12,460 to £12,960
Punchy 1.2 TSI, cabin quality, ride, interior's fine quality, classy looks.
Not as good to drive as the Fiesta, pricey, diesel's long gearing.
Fiesta is more fun, but the Polo is classier and a great all-rounder.
With 11 million sold over the last 34 years, the Volkswagen Polo supermini has undoubtedly been a huge success. But in the process it has earned a reputation for being safe, sturdy and dull.
That's why VW's designers have been given free reign to rid the Polo of its blandness, taking inspiration from the Scirocco coupe rather than the Golf. And it's paid off: the new Polo looks sharp and classy.
Under the bonnet things are equally interesting. All engines are up to 20% more fuel-efficient, and three are brand new to the range - a smoother common rail 1.2 and 1.6 diesel and, star of the range, a small 1.2 TSI that generates a healthy 104bhp and helps the Polo crack 60 in less than 10 seconds.
A headline-grabbing BlueMotion will also come on sale next year that will average an incredible 85.5mpg while emitting just 87g/km. A GTI version has also been confirmed; expect at least 170bhp from its turbocharged and supercharged 1.4.
Pricing and specification are yet to be announced, but Volkswagen has confirmed the baby 59bhp 1.2 will go on sale at under £9,000.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Volkswagen Polo
wrote on 03 03 2008
wrote on 29 05 2006