Volkswagen Polo 81 TSI Comfortline 2014 review

The light car class is chockers full of tempting, cheap offerings. Fiat 500s, Citroens, Ford Fiestas, Hondas, Kia Rio, Mazda2, 208, Clio, Fabia, Swift, Yaris and last alphabetically, and the best, is the Volkswagen Polo.

VW moved to cement its place at the top of the tiddler tree with a recent upgrade to Polo that delivered plenty of new technology including optional driver assist stuff normally associated with larger and more expensive models - Golf and Passat.

The update also brought in new 1.2-litre engines in 66TSi and 81TSi calibration with the number relating to how many kilowatts are achieved.

We have had a crack at the 66 and now it's the turn of the 81, top of the range Comfortline with seven speed DSG automatic gearbox.

You can get a six speed manual version of this car for $18,290 or this one at $20,790.

Two option packs that comprise driver assist technology or sporty enhancements are available at $1500 apiece, but we wouldn't bother.

UNDER THE BONNET

The engine is a direct injection turbo petrol unit with variable valve timing that achieves 81kW/175Nm output, 4.8L/100km fuel economy and passes Euro5 emissions regulations. 

There's no need for a diesel really, as plenty of VW's eco-friendly BlueMotion technology finds its way into this generation Polo. Stop/start is standard, as is brake-energy recovery.

Fuel requirement is 95RON or better, which adds to the running costs.

However, with this engine and transmission, the Polo 81TSi is an excellent little car on a number of fronts. 

It has impressive performance across the entire engine operating range aided by the slick shifting DSG gearbox.

The engine has a slightly sporty growl and the gearbox does have a sequential manual mode on the stick shift (no paddle shift though).

Drive is to the front wheels through an electric differential lock system for added traction and drive through turns.

Though the Polo 81TSi weighs 1151kg, you wouldn't think so given the level of available performance.

OUTSIDE

They tricked up the front and rear styling of Polo with a more business-like appearance and did pretty much the same inside which is typically neat, stylish and functional.

This time around it has a half decent infotainment system. There's also an eco driving 'trainer', hill start assist and a wide range of standard goodies.

UNDERNEATH

They changed over to electric power steering and tweaked the strut front and torsion beam rear suspension. Unlike many tiddler size cars Polo has disc brakes all round and a full size steel wheel to go with the 15-inch alloys on the car. For the sexy driver assist stuff you'll have to buy the option pack but Polo does score multi collision braking (an auto brake system) as standard on the latest model.