Category: Superminis 
Price Range: £12,460 to £12,960
2005 restyle has brought looks up to date, quality feel inside and out, space, safety equipment, ride and handling, interesting engines, aura of rational Volkswagen-ness.
Mediocre performance from some engines, expensive.
The Polo falls short on few measures, but some supermini rivals do the job better, and for less.
The mechanicals date back to the 2002 model, which has not been entirely trouble-free. Owners have reported gearbox problems, engine management issues, suspension faults and drivebelt failures, as well as general build quality defects. It should have been de-bugged by now, though, and it does look well put-together, with good-quality interior materials and excellent fit and finish.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Volkswagen Polo
wrote on 03 03 2008
wrote on 29 05 2006