The VW Polo has classic light hatch proportions and is actually larger than its larger Golf sibling back when the latter was in its fourth generation (1997 to 2003).

Striving to be a premium proposition, it features solid, high-quality plastics, attractive contrasting textures, soft cloth seat inserts and glossy trim.

There is plenty of space for tall people up front, and the adjustable steering column helps most drivers find the right position behind the wheel.

The driver is sat ahead of a stylised console that is angled slightly for a heightened connection to the car, aided by fine vision, a large central touchscreen for the multimedia system, crisp graphics and easy reach of most switches and controls.

Smallish twin cupholders won’t please American-sized drink-holder expectations, but otherwise the Polo’s storage options are generous. So is the ventilation outputs.

The three-person back seat area benefits from having an extra side window that makes it feel a little bit airier than other superminis. And while there are no face-level air vents, the large dash outlets provide enough flow-through.

The VW Polo is well equipped, with LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with reverse camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, electronic instrumentation, smartphone charging, four USB-C ports, parking sensors and alloy wheels.

The CityLife grade adds keyless entry/start, climate control air-con, automatic parking assistance, tinted side windows and one-inch-larger alloy wheels at 16 inches.

The rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitor and matrix LED adaptive headlights safety tech are alone worth the jump to the Style, which also adds sports seats, more glamourous instrumentation, glossier trim, sat-nav, multimedia gesture control and fancier wheels.

The GTI features adaptive dampers, special cloth trim, heavily-bolstered sports seats, 18-inch alloy wheels and racier trim.

The VW Polo with the 85TSI engine employs a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, with direct injection and a start/stop system designed to save fuel. It delivers 85kW of power between 5000rpm and 5500rpm, as well as 200Nm of torque from 2000rpm and 3500rpm, and drives the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) VW brands DSG.

The VW Polo GTI uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, providing 147kW of power between 4390rpm and 6000rpm, and 320Nm of torque between 1450rpm and 4390rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG).

The VW Polo 85TSI models can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 250km/h.

The VW Polo GTI can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 237km/h.

The Volkswagen Polo is a five-seater light hatch with cloth-covered upholstery.

The bucket seats up front have height adjustability, while the upper-spec Style and GTI have more contoured versions, topping off with the latter’s extra bolstering for more side support through corners.

The three-person rear bench is fixed at the base, but the backrests have a 40/60 split-folding action to boost cargo capacity out back.

Note there is no folding centre armrest.

The VW Polo 85TSI’s ADR 81/02 lab-tested average combined fuel consumption figure is 5.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions average of 123 grams/km.

Brimming the 40-litre tank with premium unleaded petrol (95 RON minimum is recommended) should result in about 740km between refills.

The VW Polo GTI’s ADR 81/02 lab-tested average combined fuel consumption figure is 6.7 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions average of 153 grams/km.

Brimming the 40-litre tank with premium unleaded petrol (95 RON minimum is recommended) should result in just under 600km between refills.