The Volkswagen Polo is one of the best small cars for sale, offering a very spacious and classy interior, a range of efficient engines and a comfortable driving experience. It's the small car that does a good impression of a bigger, posher model like its counterpart the Volkswagen Golf.
It's become one of the go-to models in the small car market, rivalling models such as the ever popular Ford Fiesta, the good value Vauxhall Corsa and the Peugeot 208. Whether you're looking to buy a used car or planning to buy or lease a new car, the Volkswagen Polo is one of the best small car choices on the market. Why not see what deals are out there on heycar?
If the want something smaller than the Volkswagen Polo, look at the excellent Volkswagen Up. It's fun to drive, comfortable and ideal for around town.
The Volkswagen Polo is a superb all-rounder to buy or lease. It also make a good choice as a first car. A desirable small car, it's also popular with the older generation and everyone in-between, meeting the needs of so many car buyers.
Part of that appeal is its classy design, which majors on subtlety rather than a showy or aggressive look. Inside, too, its simple and smart while being very high quality, helping the VW Polo bridge the gap between mainstream and premium small cars. This timeless appeal makes it an excellent used car to buy.
What's more, there's more space inside than you might think for a small car - the most recent Volkswagen Polos will take four adults and their luggage without much complaint. If you need something roomier, why not see what deals there are on the Volkswagen Polo-based Volkswagen T-Cross small SUV?
There's plenty of technology on board the Volkswagen Polo, including the latest infotainment features, digital dials and smartphone connectivity. But safety is also key, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating and a variety of standard or optional active safety systems to add peace-of-mind.
The VW Polo's appeal is further rounded off by the driving experience. Its range of smooth and punchy TSI petrols, plus ultra-efficient TDI diesels means there's something for everyone, while whichever version you go for you'll have a comfortable and refined ride, precise steering and confidence-inspiring handling.
There's also the hotter VW Polo GTI if you want more performance and a sharper driving experience without suffering a penalty in comfort and refinement. Overall there is much to like about the Volkswagen Polo, both as a new or a used buy. Those looking at finance deals will fine keen pricing because the VW Polo holds its value, and while that means fewer used bargains there's still plenty of secondhand deals out there.
As an all-rounder it's a fantastic choice. Sure, there are more exciting or fashionable small cars, but as a classy, sensible and practical choice that's comfortable and effortless in town or on the open road, the Volkswagen Polo is second-to-none.
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There’s no point beating about the shrubbery here, the best engine in the Volkswagen Polo range is the superb 1.0 TSI turbo petrol. It comes in 95- and 115PS versions and each can be had with either a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-gear DSG dual-clutch automatic.
The 1.0 TSI is a punchy engine that delivers strong, linear performance yet it also keeps itself quiet and refined even when worked to its limit. We reckon it’s the best of the current crop of three-cylinder small capacity engines used in most superminis now.
All Polos come with a five-door body now, so that just leaves the trim to pick and we’d head for the mid-level Match that provides ample safety equipment, including autonomous emergency braking. It also comes with the Plus version of the Polo’s 8-inch infotainment touchscreen so you get Car-Net to quickly pair with the apps on your smartphone.
For those looking at the 2021-on revised Volkswagen Polo, we'd still choose the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine but most people will find the entry-level Life model offers everything they'll need kit-wise. However, Style trim does add the desirable bigger wheels, Matrix LED headlights and nicer trim and upholstery, as well as big-car kit levels.
Petrol
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 MPI 65: Available in Polos from 2018 to 2022, this entry-level, three-cylinder petrol engine has an output of 65PS and 95Nm. Powered through a five-speed manual gearbox, it'll do 0-62mph in 15.5 seconds and promises economy of up to 58.9mpg combined.
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 MPI 75: Available in Polos from 2018 to 2022, this is a slightly more powerful version of the three-cylinder petrol engine, with an output of 75PS and 95Nm. It too comes with a five-speed manual gearbox and will do 0-62mph in 14.9 seconds. Even with its extra power it can deliver the same 58.9mpg fuel economy as the 65PS model.
Volkswagen Polo 1.0: The most affordable engine in the 2022-onwards Polo is a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 80PS and 93Nm. Powered solely through a five-speed manual gearbox, it'll do 0-62mph in 15.5 seconds and promises economy of up to 51.4mpg combined.
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI: The most popular engine in the Polo is a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 95PS and 175Nm. It can be had with a five-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. 0-62mph is dispatched in as low as 10.8 seconds and fuel economy is up to 54.3mpg combined.
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 110: The most powerful version of the standard 2022-onwards Polo range uses a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 110PS and 200Nm of torque. Paired only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox it's capable of 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds and up to 50.4mpg.
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 115: Available new up until 2022, this version of the 1.0 TSI has slightly more power than the one listed above with 115PS and 200Nm. It came with a six-speed manual gearbox of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The 0-62mph time is 9.5 seconds and it promises up to 60.1mpg.
Volkswagen Polo GTI: The flagship performance model uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine putting out 207PS (200PS pre-2022) and 320Nm. Paired only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, it'll do 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and promises up to 41.5mpg combined.
Diesel (pre-2022 only)
Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI 80PS: This four-cylinder diesel engine makes 80PS and 230Nm and is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The 0-62mph time is 12.9 seconds and it promises a combined fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg.
Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI 95PS: This engine is a more powerful version of the one above, with 95PS and 235Nm and is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The 0-62mph time is 11.2 seconds and it promises the same combined fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg.
The latest (Mk8) generation of Volkswagen Polo is only available as a five-door hatchback, but the previous-generation was also available with three-doors.
The Volkswagen Polo from 2018 is available with the following choice of trim levels:
The Volkswagen Polo S is the entry-level version but still comes with an eight-inch infotainment screen with DAB radio and aircon. It was only available with the 65PS 1.0-litre engine.
The Volkswagen Polo SE add alloy wheels and a few extra features, anbd has a wider range of both petrol and diesel engines.
The Volkswagen Polo Match replaced the SE model in 2020, adding tinted windows, new alloy wheels and front fog lights to the specification.
The Volkswagen Polo Beats is a tie-up with the sound system manufacturer of the same name. As well as various extra features, it has a 300W stereo upgrade.
The Volkswagen Polo SEL is the mid-range model, with larger alloy wheels, satnav and two-zonec limate control, as well as parking sensors.
The Volkswagen Polo R-Line is the sportiest and highest spec version of the standard Polo, available with the more powerful 1.0 TSI petrol engines.
The Volkswagen Polo GTI is the high performance model, with a racy look, bespoke interior details and a 200PS 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
The Volkswagen Polo GTI+ adds extra features to the GTI, including tinted windows, LED headlights and adaptive cruise control.
The revised Volkswagen Polo from 2022 is available with the following choice of trim levels:
The Volkswagen Polo Life is the entry point of the range and the most affordable option. It still comest very well equipped with plenty of technology and safety features. It's available new with 80PS or 95PS versions of the 1.0-litre petrol engine.
The Volkswagen Polo Style is the mid-spec version, adding more standard equipment, extra technology and an upgraded design. Its only available to buy or lease new with the 95PS 1.0 TSI petrol engine.
The Volkswagen Polo R-Line is the sportiest and highest spec version of the standard Polo. As well asd the 95PS 1.0 TSI petrol engine, it's also available with a 110PS version.
The Volkswagen Polo GTI is the high performance model, with a racy look, bespoke interior details and a 207PS 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
The Volkswagen Polo's exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4053mm
Width: 1751mm
Height: 1461mm
Ground clearance: 147mm (132mm for GTI)
The Volkswagen Polo's boot size is:
351 litres
1125 litres with rear seats folded
Most Volkswagen Polos with the 1.0-litre petrol engines will fall into Band G for road tax, that will cost £210 in the first year and £180 for each subsequent year. That includes the non-turbo petrol engine.
The most expensive of all Polos for road tax is, unsurprisingly, the Polo GTI, with CO2 emissions of 155g/km meaning a hefty £645 charge for the first year's VED.
The Volkswagen Polo starts in insurance group 3 for the 1.0-litre non-turbo Life model, rising to group 29 for the latest Polo GTI.
Read our full Volkswagen Polo review