What stands out?
The Polo looks crisp, clean and elegant, inside and out, and its three turbocharged engines supply great everyday performance without using much petrol. The Polo squeezes easily into small parking spots but feels like a bigger car on the road – in a good way, with reassuring road-holding. This review covers Polos on sale from 2015 until August-2017.
How comfortable is it?
All Polos share the same basic interior layout, but the 66TSI gets less of the brighter metal finishes that spice up the 81TSI and GTI. As a result it looks dark and drab. But it’s beautifully put together.
You can adjust the steering wheel for reach and height, and you can adjust the driver’s seat for height also. Both front seats blend comfort with side-support very effectively, holding you in place nicely through corners.
The main controls are well positioned high on the dash (near your line of sight). The main instruments are legible and clear.
The 66TSI and 81TSI ride in a supple but very well controlled manner, so if you hit a big bump they recover quickly. Where many cars of this size sound noisy and feel tinny, the Polo is surprisingly quiet. You’ll get some tyre noise, but not much.
Steering is nicely weighted, with a consistent feel throughout its arc. In general, the car feels very stable, but compact and agile.
The GTI is noticeably bumpier to ride in, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. The trade-off is sharper steering and more secure cornering.
While the 66TSI doesn’t have much power, it is very responsive and relaxing in everyday driving. The 88TSI steps it up a notch, with more oomph in all situations.
The GTI has plenty of punch and a rorty sound.
The GTI’s manual gearbox feels light and easy to operate, while the seven-speed auto is very smooth and quick in its shifts once moving. However, the way the auto on all Polos engages from rest can be clunky, especially if you are on and off the throttle regularly in slow speed driving. It’s not consistent and can be jerky.
Model Listing
- VW POLO (2016)
These are the diesel engines of 2.8 and 3.6 liters, respectively. These engines were later upgraded to more powerful, cleaner units. A very large (53 seater) rear-engaged bus, called Journey K, appeared in 1972 and was replaced by Isuzu Erga Mio in 1999. There was also a Light Duty Journey E, which is still made on the basis of Elf, but the bodywork is supplied by the outside firm.