Category: Superminis 
Price Range: £12,460 to £12,960
Neat shape, smart interior, strong quality, brilliant residual values, TDI engine.
Handling and ride lagged behind the best rivals.
Competitive, but embarrassed by Skoda's Fabia.
The pert Polo might be the Mercedes-Benz of superminis, but the old model's dull interior and sloppy driving feel needed urgent attention. To remedy this, the 2000 facelifted Polo got new, though similar-looking, galvanised body panels, a futuristic cabin, a stiffer structure and improved suspension.
The 1.0 and 1.4 8V, the 100bhp 1.4 16V and the 1.9 SDI diesel continue, but the 75bhp 1.4 16V joined the range, as did the terrific three-cylinder 75bhp 1.4 TDI. The 1.6 GTI has a separate review, and there are saloon and estate variations.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Volkswagen Polo
wrote on 03 03 2008
wrote on 29 05 2006