Overview

The Volkswagen Polo is a smart, polished and solid choice. Importantly, it’s just that bit more sophisticated than the average supermini thanks to a premium and grown-up image that shouts sensible in a way that few other small cars do.

The price you pay? The Polo’s more expensive than most of its rivals, and ‘grown-up’ can often be just a small step away from boring – with lower-spec Polos feeling decidedly joyless.

It has plenty of rivals. The Ford Fiesta is the most famous, while it also goes up against the Parkers award-winning Renault Clio. The SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Audi A1, as well as the MINI Hatch, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra and the Vauxhall Corsa are all strong rivals.

Inside it’s pretty spacious considering its size and the materials would feel equally at home in larger, more expensive cars.

Engines consist of 1.0-litre petrols with different power outputs, available with manual or automatic gearboxes, plus a 2.0-litre petrol that’s reserved for the GTI. We’ve a separate review of that car here.

VW’s bosses see all this as ‘overcoming traditional class boundaries’ – meaning you get a lot more of a large car experience in this Polo. We say it gives you a great deal of car for the money.

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the Volkswagen Polo and rating them in our verdict. Our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you to run.