2010 Volkswagen Polo Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Volkswagen Polo as a used buy.

Small cars no longer equate to poverty as they once did, today's little models are safe, perform well, and come packed with features.

Volkswagen Polo is a small car from a German giant, but hadn’t done a lot in Australia until recent years.

Until the introduction of the cute little Volkswagen up! the Polo was the smallest Volkswagen sold in Australia. As is often the way the Polo grew in size over the years and later models are similar in size to older VW Golfs. This means that a late model Polo can be used as a family car if the kids are in their pre-teen years.The Volkswagen Polo has a solid feel that’s not the norm in Asian competitors of this size. Owners love them and say they feel safe and secure within them.Sales of the Polo were slow in its earlier days in Australia, but picked up after significant price cuts. Better styling helped as well, the new model introduced in July 2002 was more stylish than some of the somewhat bland earlier versions. The 2010 model further improved the looks and Polo is starting to become a serious contender in the small car market in Australia.Most Polos sold in Australia are hatchbacks, with either two or four passenger doors, but a four-door sedan, tagged as the Polo Classic, was imported from China during 2004 and 2005. The latter wasn’t a success due to dubious quality control.Another interesting model is the Polo Open Air of 1998 to 2000. Though a five-door hatchback it had a huge sunroof that could let in plenty of fresh air when fully open. It wasn’t a success either, so is comparatively rare on the used-car front.Handling was nothing special in the earlier days, with too much understeer. It can show up in anything more than moderate cornering and is presumably in there to maximise safety in the hands of clumsy drivers. This was improved in Polos from 2002 onwards.Most Polos in Australia have petrol engines, however turbo-diesels have really started to sell in good numbers in recent years. Petrol engine capacities in the standard models are 1.4 and 1.6 litres. Performance from the smaller engine is better than you might expect due to the little VW's relatively light weight. The 1.4 engine from the year 2000 was a more modern unit than the one it superseded and has a good combination of economy and performance.Interestingly, the petrol 1.6-litre engine used in the Polo Classic has a twin-cam setup, whereas the others have a single-cam head. In both cases there are four valves per cylinder.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed auto until the new model of 2008. The Polo Classic sedan, pre-2010 GTI, and TDI diesel are only sold with the manual. From 2008 a six-speed automatic was installed, this expanded to seven speeds in 2010. Manuals remained at five-speed units.Polo GTI in its early versions wasn’t the pocket rocket its name might suggest, chiefly because the turbocharged 1.8-litre engine is running only modest boost. However, it works very nicely in mid-range torque. The real strength of the Polo GTI is its nimble handling. Firmer suspension and added precision through the steering means it gives you a lot of driving fun at a pretty modest price.Engine power in the latest Polo GTI, launched in November 2010, was increased from 110 kilowatts to 132 kW thanks to a new TwinCharger (supercharged and turbocharged) engine. Finally the Polo GTI had the grunt to back up its name.Volkswagen has undergone a revolution in Australia in recent years thanks to a smart new management team. This has led not only to better sales results, but also an increased number of dealerships, many with impressive high-tech facilities.Service and repairs are moderate in price, though they can be higher than for equivalent sized Asian cars. We have heard of no real complaints about the cost or availability of spare parts.A good amateur mechanic should be able to do a fair bit of their own work as the Polo has a simple mechanical layout and the underbonnet area isn’t too crowded. Have a repair manual at your side, and keep well clear of repairs that could affect the car’s safety.Insurance costs are about average for a car in this European class although you are likely to be charged extra, possibly substantially extra, to cover the Polo GTI because of its turbocharged engine.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe VW Polo is generally well built, however the quality of assembly on the Polo Classic sedan left something to be desired. Check the interior as it can be on the rough and ready side. Ensure the engine starts quickly and idles reasonably smoothly immediately it fires up.Older VW Polo engines aren't the most refined of units, but if one seems too bad it may be due for major repairs. Gearchanges should be light and easy, with no crunching when you shift down quickly. The clutch should be smooth and predictable in its operation. Look inside the boot for signs of harsh treatment as cars in this class sometimes get treated as small trucks by inner-city residents carting things around.Interior trim that has been continuously scorched by the Aussie sun through lack of undercover parking may fade. The dash top and luggage cover will be the first to suffer, look and feel for cracks, as well as for a dry feel in the plastics.CAR BUYING TIPTry to do any test drive with the car in stone-cold condition, after an overnight stop is ideal. Mechanical problems are often aggravated by cold weather.

A budget-priced fireball has been added to the Carsguide Car of the Year winner.  The Polo GTI, launched in Australia on the day its smaller sister won the prestigious COTY as the nation’s best car, has been launched at an unexpectedly affordable $27,790 - including a dual-clutch DSG transmission as standard.Even more amazing, the Polo GTI uses a downsized 1.4-litre engine yet runs the same 6.9 second 100km/h sprint as the 2-litre Golf GTI - a car that costs from $11,000 more.VALUEVolkswagen Australia marketing manager Jutta Friese says its “a great price for a great car‘’ and represents excellent value for money.  She says part of the price - which comes in about $5000 under expectations - is about the favourable exchange rate.“It’s very much in our favour,” she says.  “It will have further impact on new models for 2011, including Jetta, Passat and Touareg.”The Polo is available with one engine - the turbo-supercharged 1.4 TSI - and one transmission, a seven-speed DSG.  But buyers have a choice of body styles - a three-door ($27,790) or a five-door ($28,990) - for the car.This compares with the big sister Golf GTI at $38,990 for the three door and $40,490 for the five door - and that’s the manual transmission price.  DSG adds about $3000 indicating the price gap between the two siblings is about $14,000.Given the latest Polo is the same size as the first generation Golf, the choice could be a no brainer given performance is identical.The GTI is built in Spain, compared with the other Polo variants which come from South Africa.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.4-litre TSI engine uses a supercharger and a turbocharger to cleverly get power up to 132kW and torque to 250Nm. This compares to the previous model which had a 1.8-litre  turbocharged engine for 110kW and 220Nm.Volkswagen claims the new Polo GTI also gets 6.1 litres/100km (compared with last year’s model at 8.0 l/100km).  It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds, compared with the previous model’s 8.2 seconds.All this is due to the brilliant torque, power and versatility of the super-turbo design, though is aided by the rapid changes of the DSG.  Suspension and steering remain as per GTI standards, which is an excellent compromise between handling and comfort.DESIGNThe Golf-like Polo looks the part. Volkswagen has trimmed the baby hottie up to look like the Golf GTI - they may be mistaken on the road - so gets the three main colours of red, white and black together with silver and blue.The sports seats feature high bolsters and are finished - like the original 1976 Golf GTI in tartan fabric. Owners can select optional leather and Alcantara.Compared with the standard Polo, the GTI gets new front and rear bumpers, 17-inch alloy wheels in the Denver design, a small rear spoiler and dual chrome tailpipes exiting stage left.SAFETYLots of features are included in the price - six-speaker iPod compatible audio, cruise control, alloy pedals, electric and heated mirrors, paddleshifters on the steering column, daylight running lights, airconditioning and so on - but safety is the GTI’s hallmark.It gets six airbags, ESC and brake assist with other electronic chassis aids.DRIVINGJeez this thing is quick! Up Collingrove’s hillclimb just out of Adelaide, it literally flies over the jumps and yet has a tenacious grip on the narrow bitumen road.There’s power from idle through to 6000rpm but you really feel the bang around 3500rpm when the supercharger is automatically turned off and the turbocharger is left to its own devices, pumping air into the tiny 1.4-litre engine.The handling is exquisite - one of the reasons the Polo won COTY - and tied down even more in the GTI that sits 15mm lower and rides on wider, lower profile rubber.The steering is pin sharp, the brakes dynamic and the seats hold you so firmly that you feel part of the car. On top of that, it takes to commuting with ease and is very comfortable and quiet even over rutted roads.  Love it!

The reign of the Ford Fiesta at the top of Australia's baby-car class is over. The Fiesta is still a fine car, good looking and a great drive and well priced, but even the benchmark Ford cannot compete with the new Volkswagen Polo.The new Volkswagen Polo lands in Australia as the reigning World Car of the Year with everything from a taut body structure to punchy small-capacity engines, a seven-speed DSG transmission and excellent driving dynamics. But there is a hurdle. And it's a big one.PRICING AND VARIANTSAnyone who wants to have the best tiddler in showrooms today needs to have a well-padded wallet.The cheapest Polo sounds relatively affordable from $16,990, but it's very easy to spend more than $20,000 on a Polo - before adding on-road costs - and that takes you into the next size and price class against cars like the Mazda3. At the top end it's going to cost more than $25,000 to put a Polo on the road, with extra equipment including upgraded sound, sports gear and pearl paint to really make it meaty.The Polo starter car is a three-door hatch with 1.4-litre petrol engine, but adding things like back doors, DSG manumatic gearbox or diesel engine - not worrying about leather and treats in the Comfortline package - will scrub the car from a lot of Aussie shopping lists.Measured against the Fiesta from $16,090 the value in the Polo looks alright, but the light-car class is built on what dealers call the 'transaction' price and there is always some sort of a deal.Hyundai led Australia into the land of driveaway pricing and there are lots of price-driven deals today on everything from the tiny Suzuki Alto to the Hyundai Getz and even Nissan's quality Micra.It's also true that all brands have a three-door price fighter with a baby engine, but it's more likely that Volkswagen's target buyers for the Polo will spend more to get more and go past the Polo Trendline with 1.4-litre engine and five-speed manual gearbox.WHAT DO YOU GET?There are three engines in the Polo lineup - 1.4 with 63 kiloWatts, a 1.2 turbo with 77 and a 1.6 turbodiesel with 66 - as well as Trendline and Comfortline trim levels. Standard equipment includes ESP stability control and ABS brakes, a five-star NCAP rating, the usual electric assists and fuel economy improved by as much as 24 per cent.But the big news is the overall package, which is bigger in every direction than the previous Polo. It's more than good enough to form the basis for the upcoming Audi A1, which has a unique body but picks up the basics from the Polo.DRIVING Paul GoverTaking the Polo onto home territory confirms my positive first impression from the car's Australian preview drive. The car is tight and quiet, very comfortable, and gets along well with the 77-kiloWatt turbo engine and seven-speed DSG gearbox. Of course, it is a $22,350 package and I've just been driving a nice Hyundai i20 at $14,990.The big difference from the previous Polo is the basic body. There is more space and comfort, and the car just feels bigger and stronger. It's probably about the same size as the early Golf, back in the 1980s.What gives it the edge is the deep-down quality feel. It's everything from the way the suspension works to the heft in the doors. The previous Polo always felt a bit flimsy, the suspension crashed and banged, and it was over-priced for what you got.This time around the basics are right and that allows Volkswagen to re-set the standard for the baby class.The Fiesta is my light-car benchmark and, compared with the Ford, the Polo is not as trendy looking but feels like it's from the next price class. Which, in some ways, is true.Even the all-new i20, which I drive back-to-back with the Polo, cannot match the quality feel of the European car. And Hyundai is claiming the i20 takes the company out of the price-first approach of its elderly but great-value Getz.But enough of the comparison work. The Polo is a car you enjoy driving, either on a shop hop or a long highway run. The TSI engine has great punch, even with four people onboard, the DSG gearbox is slick and responsive, and the seats are supportive and comfortable.There is nothing really to complain about in the Polo, apart from the bottom line. It's going to take something very special to stop the car claiming this year's Carsguide Car of the Year crown.SHE SAYS Alison WardNormally I'm not a fan of really little cars, which any mum will understand. There is just so much to carry. But this Polo is a tardis and it really works for me and the little man, although I have to fold half the rear seat down to fit the pram in the back.It drives and handles well, road noise is almost as good as a luxury. So it's really quiet and comfortable. But with that you pay a luxury small-car price. For me, it's worth it because you have a car that will be satisfying for years to come.I've complained before about these DSG gearboxes, which can take a while to think about what you want and to move away, but it's worth it in the payback on smoothness. And the steering is like it's running on silk.I like the Polo. And I think it's worth the extra.THE BOTTOM LINE: A new champion in the baby-car class.

The battle for Car of the Year honours in 2010 begins right here and now. The first serious contender out of the blocks is the all-new Volkswagen Polo, a mini-Golf with a starting price of $16,690, although it will have to battle a wide range of new stars from the boxy Toyota Rukus and BMW's classy GT to the Series II Holden Commodore VE.The VW Polo has not done well in Australia, partly because it was too costly and partly because the previous models were... well... tinny little cars without much charisma. The latest fifth-generation car changes the pattern with everything from clunk-close doors to impressive equipment and real driving enjoyment.The meat of the model lineup is still on the costly side of $20,000, and there is not much punch from the basic engine with a bit of steering kick over corrugations, but the new Polo finally shows similar strengths to last year's Carsguide COTY winner, the Golf."We are confident that we have created a car that is the right package for the target customer. We want it to be the third volume pillar in Australia after Golf and Tiguan," says Vladan Dimic, product marketing manager for Volkswagen Australia.The new Polo is a complete makeover, unlike the previous car which was basically a facelift. So the body structure is new and stiffer - with the promise of ANCAP safety, including six airbags and ESP standard - there are two petrol engines and a turbodiesel, and the car even gets a seven-speed DSG manumatic gearbox.EquipmentThere are two bodies, three and five-door hatches, with Trendline and Comfortline equipment packages. Volkswagen says there is $1000 worth of no-cost safety equipment in the car, as well as little things like a remote control that can open and close the windows, white-lit dials and new steering wheels. Yet the pricetags are generally lower, by $300 in the case of the manual three-door Trendline that opens the batting.Mechanical packageThe engines run from the 1.4-litre four with 63kW/132Nm to the 1.2- litre turbo with 77kW/175Nm and the 1.6 turbodiesel with 66kW/230Nm. Both petrol engines are tweaked with things like improved fuel injectors and an electric turbo wastegate.There is wider new suspension, with MacPherson struts in the nose and a torsion beam axle in the tail, with anti-skid four-wheel discs and alloy wheels on all but the base car. There is also a full-sized spare but the petrol engines drink premium unleaded.Still, VW says economy is improved by up to 24 per cent and quotes 4.6L/100km consumption and 121g/km CO2 for its best performers. There are two optional equipment packs, the $900 comfort deal that includes rain-sensor wipers and the $770 audio package with the Bluetooth phone connection that should be standard.DrivingThere is more to the new Polo than ever before. You see it in the bigger body, feel it in the slightly roomier but much higher-quality cabin, and enjoy it in a car which is as good to drive as anything in the baby class - short of my personal favourite, the Fiesta - and equal to the best on quietness and refinement.The doors close with a thunk, the seats are supportive, the steering is light and direct, and the suspension soaks up most bumps and undulations without a drama. It's a European car with a Japanese starting price - although the five-door comes from South Africa - which means it will get onto a lot more shopping lists. Especially with a television commercial filmed in Sydney and aimed at men.I drove all varieties of the new Polo and enjoyed the two extremes, the basic three-door with a 1.4-litre engine and the DSG turbodiesel five-door. The starter car is quiet and responsive, although big hills show a lack of pulling power, and it actually rides best of the bunch despite steel wheels. I was not worried about a five-speed manual gearbox and I like the three-door body, although rival brands say it's not a winner and VW only expects to sell one car in five without back doors.The turbodiesel flagship is punchy and very well equipped, but you pay for the luxury. And there is still a little kick through the steering on bumps, as well as suspension which feels a little bouncy at times. But, overall, there is a lot to like in the new Polo and very little to criticise.Will it be Carsguide Car of the Year for 2010? Based on a relatively short first drive, it is going to take a very good car to beat it.

And just sometimes, you can get it all and still hear the reassuring sounds of change rattling in your pocket.  Small cars don't have to be cheap and nasty or even perform like an asthmatic snail in a bid to maximise fuel economy. Nor do they have to be cramped or have the visual appeal of a packing crate that instantly identifies you as cheap.  Here are five small cars that will haul you and three friends - and do it on a miserly fuel budget.The good news is they're all less than $30,000. And that includes comprehensive safety features with electronic stability control and ABS brakes.  But best of all, turn up the wick and these things will give you a decent thrill.  Two are turbocharged and one has a 2.5-litre engine. No need to be red-faced at the traffic lights in these.Mitsubishi Colt RalliartThis looks like a small apartment block sitting on a cute set of alloys. In fact, it's a powerhouse that will dust of a lot of cars with twice the engine capacity and has room for four adults, parks in weeny car bays, runs on a sip of fuel - though you'll need premium brand - and is the perfect shopping trolley for people who like their food fast.Price: $25,740Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 113kW/210NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 6.7 l/100km premiumPerformance: 0-100km/h in 7.6 secSafety: two airbags, ESC, ABS, BAVolkswagen Polo GTIThis baby sister of the Golf GTI quickly gets off the mark thanks to some component sharing and a 1.8-litre turbo engine. It comes only as a three door so may limit those with heaps of friends, though certainly looks as good as it goes. Solid German construction and versatile interior add to its appeal.Price: $26,990Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 110kW/220NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 7.9 l/100km Premium0-100km/h: 8.2 secSafety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, diff lockFord Fiesta ZetecYou can get this in three and five-door versions (extra money for the five door) and while it's not turbocharged, is a spirited performer with lots of aesthetic charm. It's an easy hatchback to live with and aside from a small fuel thirst, runs on cheaper unleaded petrol. Comprehensive safety features show you care for your friends.Price: $20,490Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 88kW/152NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 6.1 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 8.2 sec (estimated)Safety: 5 airbags, ESC, ABS, BASuzuki Swift SportYou know the Swift, now meet its more beefed up brother. The Sport is unassuming though gets a bigger engine and tauter suspension to accentuate its handling and acceleration. That makes it as practical and reliable as its less-powerful relations. Also has great features and the full safety package.Price: $23,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 92kW/148NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 7.5 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 8.8 secSafety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BAMazda3 SP25This is a great package at a superb price. The SP25 just takes the refreshed Mazda3 to another level, boosting power and torque yet not crushing attributes such as its fuel economy. The features are also excellent as is the safety equipment. It's physically bigger than its rivals here and that means more cabin and luggage room, so it never feels like a small car.Price: $29,740Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cyl 122kW/227NmTransmission: 6-speed manualFuel economy: 8.6 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 7.9 sec (estimated)Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA