The Polo has been a staple of the affordable hatchback range since its inception back in the mid-70s. Since then, Volkswagen has improved on the already great formula producing some of the most astonishingly valuable and well-made cars in the small hatchback category.
The level of options for the Polo is also mind-blowing as there are choices for everything including more efficient variants and options for those who prefer speed to efficiency. The Polo has set itself apart from the Golf over recent times and become a car of its own rather than the 'poor man's Golf' as was often claimed years ago. Below are some things that make the VW Polo so much fun.
10 Affordability
Volkswagen cars are some of the best in terms of value and quite possibly the best in this regard is the VW Polo. Its affordability comes with it being in the mid to low end of the VW lineup.
The current Polo costs very slightly over $20,000 which is actually cheaper than comparable cars from the likes of Peugeot and Kia. What the VW provides that the others can't however is the brands exceptional build quality and attention to detail.
9 Engine Options
The Polo is a car that's available in multiple different configurations and this means variety in speeds and efficiency for suiting almost anyone's needs.
For example, the current Polo is offered in three engine configurations. These include a 1.0-liter turbo, a 1.6-liter turbo diesel and a 2.0-liter turbo.
8 Sportier Versions
Speaking of the 2.0-liter turbo, the Polo has some sportier versions for those who don't mind paying a little extra for the performance boost. At the moment the Polo GTI is the top of the range version of the Polo.
This includes the aforementioned 2.0-liter turbo engine as well as a few extra upgrades elsewhere. Some upgrades on the GTI version include a leather steering wheel, GTI specific seats and an improved dashboard and dials.
7 Comfort And Safety
As the Polo is one of the most user-friendly cars in the VW lineup, the car needs to have plenty of comfort and safety features for those who prefer function and usability over speed.
The Polo sets the benchmark for a comfortable, small hatchback with its smooth ride and the safety features. The Polo has been given a five star safety rating for crash testing and the current Polos come with an autonomous emergency braking system which helps detect pedestrians. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control are also available as options meaning the Polo is a great option for younger drivers.
6 Well Made
Perhaps unsurprisingly for one of Germany's giant car manufactures, the Polo is incredibly well-made both inside and out.
Potential buyers looking for a car that will stand the test of time may opt for the Polo as it is said to be built like a tank with robust and sturdy construction across all trims. This sets it apart from comparable cars in the same class for sure especially those made cheaply like some of the lower end Kia's, Peugeots and Skodas.
5 Easily Customizable
Part of the Polo's popularity falls down to the ease of customization and the sheer amount of aftermarket parts available.
Younger drivers looking to take their first step into the world of customization often opt for the Polo as it provides a great platform for customization. The international sale of the Polo means parts both for internal and external customization are readily available worldwide.
4 Speed And Power
No matter which version of the Polo you opt for, the speed is still comparably good, especially at this price point.
For current models the fastest GTI provides around 200 hp and a top speed of around 147 mph. The 0-60 mph of this version is around 6.5 seconds too. Even the 1.0-liter turbo is powerful enough to provide decent speeds and a fun drive due to the lightweight and small nature of the car.
3 Interior Quality
The quality of the interior across all specs of the Polo is fantastic. The value you get with the Polo compared to other vehicles is extraordinary.
VW don't use typical cheap and scratchy plastics on any of their vehicles and the higher end Polo models get splashes of leather and high quality metals throughout despite the low price.
2 Tech Features
Another area the Polo dominates is in the included tech. The current Polos come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display which is much more premium feeling than on other cars in the same category and price point.
Tech features on the upcoming Polo are going to be some of these best we see on almost any car regardless of category. These include LED headlights with the new headlight strip as well as a semiautonomous driving system and a digital cockpit. The current Polos include electrically adjustable seats, ambient lighting, keyless entry and a premium sound system.
1 Efficient
One of the most appealing factors of the Polo is its efficiency. Due to the cars 1.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Polo can provide good performance but having the smaller capacity engine means the Polo can go that much further than the competition.
This version of the Polo sets a good benchmark for efficiency at around 53 mpg combined. This is improved upon slightly if you choose to go for the 1.6 diesel variant as the mpg increases slightly to around the 60 mpg mark. Generally though, it seems no matter which Polo you go for you should have no problem saving money on fuel.