Skip advert
Advertisement
Car trim reviews

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

"The Polo BlueMotion means high fuel economy and low emissions. It's a little pricey, but you should recoup some savings in low running costs."

Owners Rating
Be the first to review

In an effort to move its economical range away from offering diesel power alone, the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion is connected to an economical 1.0-litre turbocharged TSI petrol. The engine produces 94bhp, which is much more than its predecessor, and is capable of returning up to 68.9mpg and CO2 emissions of just 94g/km. Those figures means the BlueMotion escapes road tax, and they're pretty decent for a small petrol engine, but they're nowhere near the claimed 81mpg you used to get with the predecessor's diesel offering.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Volkswagen may be using the petrol-powered Polo BlueMotion to focus more on emissions and what particulates are in them, rather than fuel economy. NOX particulates, which are tiny atoms of carbon that are found in much higher quantities in diesel engines, are the next big thing that large governmental bodies are trying to crack down on. This is because the NOX particluates affect built-up, urban environments like cities much more than greenhouse gases alone and are more harmful to us if we breathe them in.

The BlueMotion trim has its own special selection of trim and body parts, to provide a more aerodynamic design. The front grille is filled in and smoothed over, and the unique alloy wheels are designed to create less drag. These little tweaks help to keep fuel consumption figures high and your running costs low.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The BlueMotion trim also features Volkswagen's Composition Media system, which has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, CD player and Bluetooth. Just like any Polo, it's also solidly built. Prices can get a little steep, but the engine performs better in terms of fuel economy and emissions than an EcoBoost-equipped Ford Fiesta Zetec.

Good points

The Polo BlueMotion is all about saving money. You’ll struggle to match the near 70mpg suggested by the official figures, but fuel stops will still be rare events, and there are other savings to be made thanks to the car’s low emissions figure.The inclusion of turbocharging means the engine's small size is not a detriment to the amount of power it produces. Despite the lowered suspension which has been added to help reduce aerodynamic drag, the car is still comfortable. It’s also spacious and well-built.

Bad points

The Polo BlueMotion is not a cheap car, so there’s no point even considering it unless you do a high enough mileage to make it pay for itself through fuel savings.Resale values are around 6% worse than those of other Polos, although still better than the class average, and you’ll have to drive very gently to get even close to the claimed 80-plus mpg.

What you get

  • Alloy wheels
  • Alarm
  • Tyre pressure sensors
  • Passenger & Driver airbag
  • Front side airbags
  • Front fog lights
  • Manual air conditioning
  • Leather steering wheel
  • Height adjustable driver's seat
  • Front electric windows
  • Single CD player
  • AUX stereo input
  • DAB Radio
  • Stop/Start
  • Rear electric windows
  • Bluetooth

Recommended optional extras

  • Curtain airbags

Our choice

The only choice you have to make is whether you want three or five doors. The sole engine available is an economy-tuned 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen Polo review – an iconic supermini
Volkswagen Polo - front 3/4 dynamic
In-depth reviews
15 Jul 2024

Volkswagen Polo review – an iconic supermini

Top 10 used hatchbacks – the best second-hand buys in 2024
Best used hatchbacks
Best cars
26 Jun 2024

Top 10 used hatchbacks – the best second-hand buys in 2024

Sophisticated VW Polo supermini for £200 per month: Hot car deal
Volkswagen Polo tracking front-quarter
Deals
8 May 2024

Sophisticated VW Polo supermini for £200 per month: Hot car deal

Best insurance group 1 cars
Volkswagen Polo - front 3/4 cornering
Best cars
5 Jan 2024

Best insurance group 1 cars

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024
Best cars for winter
Best cars
10 Oct 2024

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024