With Volkswagen's new Polo is now available to order, Ryan Hirons tries out the latest generation of this popular supermini.
What's new?
The new Volkswagen Polo is built on a totally new platform but retains familiar design features on the Polo.
Although the basic VW DNA remains, thanks to the new platform's longer wheelbase, the Polo has a more brash stance than before.
New engines have been added with a variety of 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engines now available and for the first time in a Polo.
The new Polo's look is evolutionary but, thanks to the new platform, it has shorter front and rear overhangs which give a more aggressive appearance.
Space and practicality
The new Polo is also even more spacious, again thanks to the new platform.
The boot is 25pc bigger, going from 280 to 351 litres, making an already practical car even more capable.
Despite a larger boot, passenger space has not been compromised. The Polo was capable of fitting two adults up front comfortably while still carrying two more in the back.
Thanks to this increased space and plenty of standard safety features across the range, such as city emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring and electronic stability control, the new Polo could be the idea family runabout.
Behind the wheel
First of all, the Polo excels at its main purpose – city driving with light steering, great visibility and a host of safety assists.
The 1.0-litre engine and manual gearbox easily coped with everything asked of them – extremely versatile and needing few gear changes.
A little more steering response at higher speeds would be ideal, but for a car primarily built for urban driving, it was never going to be the most direct driving experience – at least not in lower trims – but expect the GTI to be a different story.
Value for money
The Polo comes rather generously equipped, regardless of the chosen trim level.
The Beats version comes with 16in alloy wheels, part-leather interior, colour infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, rear tinted windows and a Beats 300-watt sound system.
A downside though is the lack of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay available through the infotainment system.
Final say
The new Volkswagen Polo is sensational for a little urban runabout and is also capable of longer distances too. You also get the premium feel Volkswagens of late have become known for.
VW will no doubt sell many when the new Polo does land in the UK, and deservedly so, but time will tell if it challenge the Ford Fiesta for the supermini crown.
TECH AND SPEC
Price: Volkswagen Polo Beats 1.0 TSI manual £16,980 (range from £13,855)
Engine: 999cc, 95PS, three-cylinder turbo petrol with five-speed manual gearbox
Performance: 0-62mph 10.8 seconds; top speed 116mph
MPG: 60.1 combined
CO2 emissions: 103g/km
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