Volkswagen Polo Review 2024

The Volkswagen Polo has been a staple in the small car sector for decades, and still remains right at the top of the tree. This sixth-generation car is five years old now, and while a recent mid-life update hasn't exactly transformed it, it has freshened it up just enough. Excitement isn't the order of the day here, but as our review shows the VW Polo just does everything really well and with minimal fuss. 

Downsizing is the flavour of the month. Fuel prices are rising, space on the road is decreasing and cars are getting bulkier and more refined than ever. So do you really need anything bigger than the Volkswagen Polo?

The latest, MK6 Polo is basically where the VW Golf was 20 years ago in terms of space and on-road refinement, despite being smaller on the outside. In fact we had passengers who thought it was the latest Golf when climbing inside - it really could serve as a small family car, with a surprisingly big boot too. 

Of course, the VW Polo is much more efficient, agile, high-tech and safe than a two decade-old Golf. In fact its one of the safest cars in its class and, in top trims particularly, is packed full of big-car kit. The 2021 facelift has brought standard niceties such as digital instruments and Travel Assist for partial self-driving. 

As has been the case for years, the Polo shares much under the skin with the SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia. But despite same platform and excellent TSI engines the Polo feels a fair bit more upmarket, with better soundproofing and a higher quality cabin with more kit.

One thing the Polo does lack is the fun, engaging driving experience of rivals like the Ford Fiesta. It's more composed and comfortable instead, with an easy and relaxing driving experience, particularly if you avoid going for the bigger wheel options. It makes for a very sensible first car - if you can afford it. 

The VW Polo isn't the cheapest small car - you'll want the Citroen C3, Dacia Sandero or Vauxhall Corsa for that. But it is priced roughly in line with the Hyundai i20, Peugeot 208, Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio. Some of them are more stylish and kit-laden, but only the Peugeot can really match the quality feel and refined driving experience. 

There's a Polo for everyone, from the cheapest 80PS 1.0-litre Life right up to the 207PS GTI hot hatch. But the range of engines and trim levels has shrunk for 2021, with no more diesels - not that many people bought one. Regardless, the Polo is an easy car to recommend, but perhaps a hard car to fall head over heels in love with. 

Looking for a second opinion? Check out heycar's Volkswagen Polo Review

The Volkswagen Polo might not be as fun to drive as rivals such as the Ford Fiesta, but it's a comfortable and refined small car whether you're in town or on the open road. 

At low speeds the Polo is agile and even without rear parking sensors fitted on entry-level Life trim, it’s easy to guide into a bay thanks to the short rear overhang and good visibility. Mid-spec models and above come with both front and rear parking sensors in the 2021 facelift. 

The suspension is supple and cars on 15-inch or 16-inch wheels will provide a soft and comfortable ride quality on British roads. The Polo can also be specified with 17-inch or 18-inch wheels, but these convey more bumps and lumps into the cabin and are best avoided if comfort matters more than style. 

In terms of handling, the steering is nicely weighted but not super sharp, it turns into bends pretty well and the body doesn't roll around too much. You can drive it on a twisty road with some confidence, but it's nowhere near as engaging or playful as a Fiesta.  

The most popular engine is the turbocharged 1.0-litre TSI petrol with 95PS. It's a perfect fit to the car and one of the best three-cylinder engines on the market at this price point, being smooth, pretty refined and punching above its weight. 

It only comes with a five-speed gearbox as standard, and although it means first and second gear are quite long the flexible little engine means sixth gear isn't too missed.

If you must have six gears there is a 110PS version available - oddly this is ever so slightly less powerful than before the 2021 facelift. It feels much the same as the 95PS engine but responds more urgently higher up the rev range. 

All versions of the 1.0 TSI engine can be fitted with an optional seven-speed DSG automatic, which we've yet to try.

There is the option of a non-turbo 1.0-litre engine in entry-level VW Polo Life models. With 80PS and not a lot of torque it's pretty gutless, and unless you're only pottering around town - or insurance is a concern - we'd avoid it. 

You used to be able to get a diesel VW Polo with 95PS. It's efficient and a decent performer but pretty noisy. It was also more expensive than the petrols, so very few people bought one and by 2021 it was removed entirely. 

All Volkswagen Polos have Front Assist autonomous emergency braking and post collision braking to reduce the effects of an impact, while a Driver Alert System helps avoid fatigue and lane assist helps further avoid accidents. 

Stepping up to Life trim brings Travel Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with a more advanced lane keeping aid to do much of the steering, accelerating and braking for you on motorways or in low-speed traffic. 

Of course you also get Isofix child seat mounts on the two outer rear seats. A Hill Hold function is also standard, while blind spot monitoring and a rear-view camera are on the options list. 

All of this has earned the Polo a five-star rating from Euro NCAP in its crash test assessments. It did this with a superb 96 per cent rating for adult occupant safety and 85 per cent score for child occupant safety. Even though that was way back in 2017 the facelifted Polo's safety improvements suggest it would still do well. 

Very few people will be towing in their VW Polo or any small car, but it does have a braked capacity of up to 1200kg depending on engine. 

No matter how tall you are or what shape your body is, the Volkswagen Polo will accommodate you with ease. Once you’ve honed into your ideal seating position you will find the Polo also provides ample vision in all directions for the driver.

The back doors open nice and wide - almost 90 degrees - for easy access, which is also helpful for loading and unloading child seats. Once in, the rear bench accommodates two adults - even big ones - really rather well. Passengers will think it's a bigger car than it is, although not if you try and squeeze a third person in the tight middle seat. 

For bigger items, the Polo’s boot is among the more generous in the sector. With 355-litres of capacity on offer in normal use, the Polo’s luggage bay is not far short of that of the Golf’s.

This is the area where the Volkswagen Polo pulls out a very clear lead over its rivals. Everywhere your eyes or hands come to rest, the Polo’s interior reeks of build quality that is a cut above the common herd of superminis.

There are thickly padded surfaces on the dash-top and doors, while the other areas such as the door handles and steering wheel enjoy a classy feel most of the competition just can't quite match.

The same is true when you reach further down in the Polo, so even the seat bases and door pockets have neatly returned, smooth edges. Sure, there's more harder plastics than you'll find in a Golf, and not much colour, but remember this is an affordable small car. 

This is the key cabin upgrade for the VW Polo's 2021 facelift. Even entry-level models get an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system and - crucially - a digital instrument display.

The touchscreen includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity alongside the usual DAB radio and Bluetooth. There's six speakers, with decent sound, and USB-C ports both front and rear. All you get for upgrading to Style trim is sat-nav - if you want the (not necessary) bigger 9.2-inch screen you'll need to raid the options list. 

Stepping up to Style trim does get you a more customisable (and nicer looking) 10.25-inch 'Digital Cockpit Pro' dial display. The standard eight-inch system isn't the best, with limited information and a small display. Further upgrades possible include an optional Beats sound system. 

The VW Polo isn't the cheapest car to buy outright in its class, but that's partly offset by stronger residual values when it's on the used market.

When opting for a finance package, the monthly payments are pretty affordable. VW periodically offers a contribution towards the deposit, so it’s worth looking for these deals. With the personal contract plan, you have the option to buy the car outright at the end of the finance term.

A used Volkswagen Polo from early on in this generation’s life cycle in 2017 will come in at around £11,000 - with the entry-level 1.0-litre engine and S or SE trim and 45,000 miles on the clock. 

Seek out a two-year old 95PS 1.0 TSI SE and you’ll pay around £14,000, which shows how well the Polo hangs on to its value in the used market.

New prices start at around £18,850 for a Polo Life with the non-turbo petrol engine, while Style spec is a full £3,000 more but comes with the more powerful TSI petrol engine. R-Line is basically the same price as Style but with different kit, and rises to over £24,000 if you spec the 110PS engine and DSG gearbox. 

The most economical Volkswagen Polo is the 1.6-litre TDI motor that returns an official combined consumption of 57.6mpg. Barely anybody bought it, though, and it was dropped from 2021-on. 

Interestingly the turbo TSI petrol engine is more efficient than the non-turbo, with 54.2mpg playing 51.4mpg officially. If you work the turbo unit harder, though, it'll be thirstier. There's no real economy penalty for choosing the 110PS version or the DSG gearbox. 

Choose the Volkswagen Polo with the 1.0 EVO 80PS engine and you enjoy insurance premiums in group 1. A 95PS 1.0 TSI Life model falls into a reasonable group 8, while the most expensive non-GTI model to get cover for is the 110PS 1.0 TSI R-Line version.

Most Polos with either of the 1.0-litre petrol engines will fall into Band G for road tax that will cost £190 in the first year and £165 in subsequent years. All versions are pretty much identical in this respect unless you opt for the Polo GTI hot hatch, which emits 155g/km of CO2 and results in a painful £585 first year road tax charge. 

Versions of the VW Polo before the 2021 facelift came with multiple trim levels including S, SE, Match and SE L. Now there are three trim levels on offer. 

The entry-level Volkswagen Polo Life comes with 15-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, manual air-con, heated and electrically folding mirrors, a front armrest, four electric windows, a leather wheel and gearknob, height adjustable front seats, cruise control, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and digital dials. 

Stepping up to the Volkswagen Polo Style gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded exterior detailing, Matrix LED headlights, ambient cabin lighting, parking sensors all-round, upgraded 'Sports Comfort' front seats with adjustable lumbar, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, LED rear lights and adaptive cruise control with Travel Assist. There's also an upgraded Digital Cockpit Pro dial display. 

At the top of the standard range is the Volkswagen Polo R-Line. That comes with a different design of 16-inch alloys, a sportier exterior design, tinted glass, Light Assist, black rooflining, stainless steel pedals, upgraded upholstery, decorative dash trim and special door sills.