2014 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.

City cars mean different things to different buyers, typified by the stylish Polo and the practical Jazz. James Stanford adjudicates

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Polo Comfortline with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Polo 81TSi Comfortline with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?WHAT IS IT?Looks just like a smaller version of the Golf, which is not surprising considering the Golf's enduring popularity. The 66TSI is the entry level model equipped with a 1.2-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine.HOW MUCH?The 66TSI is priced from $16,290 but that does not include an auto. A five speed manual is standard or you can option a 7-speed dual-clutch auto for $2500 - an expensive alternative in the context of a relatively cheap car.WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS?This is an expanding section of the market. The segment leader is the Hyundai i20, followed by the Mazda2 and the Toyota Yaris. Although many regard the Volkswagen as a premium product it is in fact priced very competitively.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?The 1.2-litre turbocharged engine delivers 66kW of power and 160Nm of torque, the latter from 1400-3500 revs. It's mated to a five-speed manual or 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. Auto stop-start which turns the car off at traffic lights is now standard across the range.HOW DOES IT GO?Surprisingly well. It's amazing the performance they are extracting from these tiny engines these days, with turbocharging and direct injection - Volkswagen is a leader in this field.IS IT ECONOMICAL?Has a 45-litre tank. Premium unleaded recommended. This model is rated at 4.8L/100km. We can't tell you if this is what it actually gets as the trip computer in this model does not include these details - just trip A and B.IS IT GREEN?Yes, it is. Gets five stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide just like a Prius, with carbon emissions of 112g/km.IS IT SAFE?Gets a full five stars for safety from ANCAP. Comes with six airbags, traction and stability control, with hill start assistant, electronic differential lock, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Misses out on a reversing camera and no sign of navigation.IS IT COMFORTABLE?Think modern and functional. Soft touch dash but feels a bit utilitarian. Wheel is reach and height adjustable and the driver's seat is height adjustable too. Bluetooth hooks up easily and reconnects when it is supposed to although you can only control the phone through the touchscreen, not the steering wheel.WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?Performance is brisk. But the transmission is jerky and this is exacerbated by the auto stop-start system. When the lights go green and you press the accelerator it tends to lurch forward with a jolt. You could turn off stop-start, but that would be defeating the purpose.IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY?Air conditioning and cloth upholstery standard. Rides on 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. Standard features Bluetooth with audio streaming, six-speaker audio with USB and 12 volt outlet in centre console. Also AUX and SD memory card input. Power windows and mirrors, keyless entry, daytime running lights and cruise control is a real bonus at this price. 

Though a big hit in Europe, Volkswagen Polo lags significantly in sales behind its big brother Golf in Australia. That's partly because the so-called light-car segment in Australia is dominated by Asian imports selling at low prices. VW Australia's response is simple - it has trimmed it prices and the newly revised Polo starts at just $15,990 driveaway. Be aware that's an introductory price, and will revert to $16,290 plus on-road costs within a few months; the exact timing has yet to be set, but don't hesitate or you may be lost.STYLINGThere's nothing to get excited about in the Polo's styling. It' neat and competent enough, with a rectangular theme front and rear. The shape has just been revised front and rear, with slightly sharper lines but it still doesn't exactly jump out from the crowd. However, it is likely to remain timeless - and many like it like that. New wheel designs are part of the updated shape and some extra colours have been added to the body and trim palettes.The interior is simple and functional, with minor revisions to the colours and materials, it has a neat layout that's easy to see and controls that fall easily to hand. INFOTAINMENTPolo has a 5.0-inch touch screen. AM/FM radio, CD player, Aux socket, SD card slot. Compatible with MP3 and WMA music files.ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONSThe biggest news is that the Polo is powered by two versions of the ultra-modern 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine we have admired in other recent Volkswagens. In the lower cost Comfortline models it provides 66 kilowatts of power and 160 Newton metres of torque, the latter coming in at a mere 1400 revs and going all the way through to 3500 revs, so most drivers will find themselves having maximum grunt on hand virtually all the time.Pay more money for the upmarket Polo Trendline versions and the 1.2 engine is tuned to provide more power and torque, 81 kW, and 175 Nm, again at just 1400 rpm, but now running all the way up to 4000 rpm.Polo 66 TSI is offered with a five-speed manual, whereas the 81 TSI has a six-speed manual, both have the option of a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.SAFETYA five-star rating thanks to strong body and electronic stability aids. Additionally, the Sport Package (see later in this story) adds quite a few crash prevention or minimisation features.OPTION PACKSPolo Comfortline, but not the Trendline can be specified with a $1500 Driving Comfort Package with Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Fatigue Detection System, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake function, automatic windscreen wipers and a rear view camera.There's also a Sport Package, again at $1500, with lowered suspension, Mirabeau 17-inch wheels, dark tinted rear side window and rear window glass, front foglights with static cornering function.DRIVINGThe front seats support nicely without being overly aggressive, the seating position is quite high to provide for extra room behind them. However, the rears are better suited to children, though adults can be carried if those in the front are willing and able to give up some space.In typical Volkswagen fashion the little Polo handles in a nicely dynamic fashion and can corner at far higher speeds than are likely to be tried by most owners. At the limit there's safe understeer that brings it back under control, and which is, of course, backed by electronic aids to further keep you safe.Electro-mechanical steering has been introduced primarily to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, but at the same time it gives even more direct feedback than in the outgoing Polo. Ride comfort is again typically VW as the body has a solid feed and provides a good platform for the suspension to work on. There's a relaxed feeling inside the Polo that normally requires a car from the next size segment.These new-design 1.2-litre engines are delightful to sit behind. They provide strong torque, respond well and are more than happy to rev. I feel the majority of drivers won't need anything more than the 66 kW version.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2014 VW Polo, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The Mk5 Volkswagen Polo took a few leaves out of its Mk6 Golf sibling's book when it arrived in Australia in 2010, bringing surprising levels of refinement, technology and efficiency to the highly competitive light hatch segment.  Four years on, the Polo has the even-better Mk7 Golf to draw on for its mid-cycle

VW has decided to give the Polo a little bit of a refresh. Now if you're sitting here wondering what has changed, well so where we.But rest assured, there's quite a lot going on here under the skin and some exterior changes, such as some new headlights and a re-designed front bumper.

If you're in the market for a new small car well then you're pretty much spoilt for choice these days because there are just so many excellent models to choose from.