Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo boasts quality that's a cut above supermini rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta. It borrows its look and feel from the larger Golf. The Polo's interior is particularly impressive as it's nicely built from high quality materials. Three and five-door versions are available, and both offer plenty of space inside for four people. The Polo can’t match the Fiesta in terms of driving entertainment. There are plenty of engines and trims available, including the eco-friendly Polo BlueMotion.
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Pros:
- Excellent build quality and VW’s image
- Spacious interior
- Incredible economy
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Cons:
- Noisy, underpowered entry-level engines
- Rivals are more fun to drive
- No air-con or central locking in S variants
Make no mistake, the Volkswagen Polo is classed as a supermini, but it's so well engineered and designed that it's a match for the practicality of a family hatchback like the Vauxhall Astra. Three and five-door versions are available, and both offer plenty of space inside for four people. Build quality is at a level no supermini rival can match, yet despite the premium feel, the Polo is actually no more expensive than a Ford Fiesta. There are plenty of engines and trims available, while the Polo BlueMotion with its 80.7mpg and emissions of 91g/km of CO2 proves you don’t need a hi-tech hybrid system to be green and keep running costs to a minimum.
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Pros:
- Impressive pace from TSI engine
- First class cabin
- Balance of comfort and speed
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Cons:
- Expensive to buy
- Not as fun to drive at a Renaultsport Clio
- Too grown-up for some
The latest Volkswagen Polo GTI is available as a three or five-door hatchback and provides almost all of the Golf GTI's character but for much less money. Economical and fun to drive, the Polo GTI is beautifully made and offers genuine driver appeal.
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