A former British Touring Car support racer, Nick is the founder of ChooseMyCar and brings years of industry insight to the world of cars and car buying.
Overall Rating
4.3/5
Based on expert evaluation and real-world testing
Performance
4
Comfort & Interior
4.5
Running Costs
4
Practicality
4.6
Expert Review
Our ratings are based on thorough testing and expert evaluation. We consider all aspects of the vehicle, from performance to value for money, ensuring you get a transparent and reliable assessment.
Overview
Thinking about a small car that punches well above its weight? The Volkswagen Polo might be exactly what you’re looking for. This well-rounded compact hatchback has been winning over UK drivers for decades with its blend of practicality, quality, and refined driving experience. It’s the car for people who want something dependable and comfortable without breaking the bank.
From the moment you see it, the Polo looks grown up and sophisticated. Its clean lines and understated styling give it a mature presence that rivals like the Ford Fiesta or Seat Ibiza struggle to match. But the real strength becomes clear when you climb inside. The interior feels spacious and well built, with solid materials and intuitive controls that make every journey more pleasant.
Driving the Polo is a reassuringly calm experience. The engines are smooth and efficient, making your daily commute or weekend trips feel effortless. It handles predictably and comfortably, giving you confidence on country roads while soaking up city bumps with ease. It’s a car that aims to make driving simple and stress free. While it might not be the cheapest option in its class, you’re investing in proven German engineering and build quality that you’ll appreciate every day.
What's the Volkswagen Polo Like to Drive?
The Volkswagen Polo prioritises refinement and efficiency over outright sportiness. The current petrol engine range offers excellent real world performance. The 1.0 litre TSI with around 95 horsepower feels perfectly adequate for town driving and has enough grunt for confident overtaking. For those wanting more power, the 110 horsepower version provides stronger acceleration without sacrificing fuel economy.
Where the Polo truly excels is in its overall driving manners. The steering is light and precise at parking speeds, making urban manoeuvring a breeze. At motorway speeds, it feels planted and secure, inspiring confidence on longer journeys. The suspension setup strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control. It absorbs road imperfections well while maintaining composure through corners. This makes it one of the most accomplished compact hatchbacks on the market, delivering a mature and refined driving experience that belies its affordable price point.
Key Features
Essential specifications and features
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Engine
1.0L 3-cylinder TSI
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Power Output
95 - 110 bhp
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0-60 mph
10.8 - 9.7 seconds
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MPG Combined
50 - 58 mpg
- Boot Space
- 351 litres
- Safety Rating
- ★★★★★ (Euro NCAP)
How Comfortable Is the Volkswagen Polo?
Step inside and you’ll immediately notice the Polo’s spacious and well designed cabin. The dashboard layout is clean and logical, with everything falling easily to hand. The materials feel solid and durable, with soft touch surfaces where you’d expect them. The digital instrument cluster is clear and informative, while the touchscreen infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
The front seats offer excellent support and comfort, with plenty of adjustment to help you find the perfect driving position. What really impresses is how quiet the cabin remains, even at motorway speeds. Volkswagen has done an exceptional job of keeping road and wind noise to a minimum. The rear seats are surprisingly roomy for the class, with decent legroom for adults on shorter journeys. Air conditioning and multiple USB ports come as standard, ensuring all passengers stay comfortable and connected on longer trips.
The Volkswagen Polo stands out as one of the most accomplished small cars available today. It successfully combines German build quality, impressive practicality, and refined driving manners in an attractive and affordable package. The interior space and boot capacity are genuinely class leading, while the smooth and efficient engines make it a joy to drive in all conditions.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Volkswagen Polo?
The Polo delivers impressive running costs that make it an attractive proposition for budget conscious buyers. The efficient TSI petrol engines consistently return excellent fuel economy, with real world figures often exceeding 50 mpg. This translates to fewer trips to the petrol station and lower monthly fuel bills. Insurance groups are reasonable for the class, typically falling into groups 8 to 12 depending on the engine choice.
The initial purchase price is competitive, especially when you consider the high levels of standard equipment and build quality. Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability means fewer unexpected repair bills, though routine servicing should be carried out at approved centres to maintain warranty coverage. For those looking to spread the cost, flexible car finance options are available to suit different budgets. The Polo holds its value well compared to many rivals, making it a sensible long term investment that won’t disappoint when it’s time to move on.
How Does It Compare?
Compare key features and specifications
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Volkswagen Polo
|
Ford Fiesta
|
Hyundai i20
|
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|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £20,000 | £18,500 | £19,500 |
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Performance
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| Engine | 1.0L TSI 95hp | 1.0L EcoBoost 100hp | 1.0L T-GDI 100hp |
| Power | 95 bhp | 100 bhp | 100 bhp |
| 0-60 mph | 10.8 seconds | 9.9 seconds | 10.4 seconds |
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Running Costs
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| MPG Combined | 55 mpg | 52 mpg | 53 mpg |
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Practicality
|
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| Boot Space | 351 litres | 292 litres | 352 litres |
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Standard Features
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| Key Features | Spacious cabin, Solid build quality, Excellent refinement | Sharp handling, Fun to drive, Competitive pricing | Generous warranty, Good equipment levels, Smooth ride |
Volkswagen Polo Practicality & Boot Space
For a small car, the Polo delivers impressive practicality that makes it suitable for a wide range of buyers. The 351 litre boot is one of the largest in its class, easily accommodating a weekly shop or several large suitcases. The rear seats fold in a 60:40 split as standard, creating a long load bay for bulkier items. Inside the cabin, you’ll find plenty of storage spaces for phones, drinks, and other everyday essentials.
The real strength is in the rear passenger space, which is genuinely usable for adults on most journeys. Children will have no complaints about legroom or headroom. This makes the Polo an excellent choice for small families or anyone who regularly carries passengers. Compared to other used Volkswagen cars, the Polo offers the perfect blend of compact external dimensions and roomy interior space. Its narrow body makes it ideal for tight city parking while still providing the practicality most people need for daily life.
Bought my Polo two years ago and it’s been absolutely brilliant. The space inside is amazing for such a small car and it’s so comfortable on long journeys. The fuel economy is excellent and it’s never let me down. Really impressed with the overall quality.
The Volkswagen Polo continues to set the standard in the competitive small car market by offering exceptional build quality, impressive practicality, and refined driving characteristics. It packages genuine usability and comfort into a compact form that’s easy to live with every day. The spacious interior, large boot, and efficient engines make it ideal for a wide range of buyers.
You choose the Polo because you want a small car that doesn’t compromise on quality or practicality. Its mature styling, quiet cabin, and smooth driving experience elevate every journey. Whether you’re navigating busy city streets or cruising on the motorway, the Polo feels composed and confident. For those seeking excellent value, cars under £10,000 offer proven reliability with lower running costs.
