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How did we calculate this? We analysed and aggregated the scores of Cars Guide, Car Advice, WhichCar, Motoring to bring you the finder.com.au score. This is a comprehensive score that brings together the four different expert ratings you see below.
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"The Polo really does feel like a slightly smaller Golf, which it mechanically is. Like the Golf, one of our test cars was also fitted with optional adjustable dampers, with a soft comfort setting, and a sports mode that added a hint of stiffness, without compromising basic comfort. Tick."
"Well, this all-new sixth generation version is here to blow any size preconceptions away. It's significantly longer and wider, yet ever-so-slightly shorter than the model it replaces."
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The VW Polo is an iconic small hatchback. Car reviewers said it handled beautifully, was powered by keen small engines and generally was well assembled. Complaints included things like the styling being somewhat reserved and safe as well as lacking excitement.
Website
Pros
Cons
Notable quote
CarAdvice
Ride and handling
Rear-seat room
Boot space
Plucky three-cylinder engines
Lower-end models' cabin ambience
Has a clinical feel
No roof-mounted grab handles
"...the company has given us an entry car that is more 'grown up' than its austere predecessor, with the sort of infotainment, active safety equipment and cabin space typically found on larger, seemingly pricier offerings."
WhichCar
Spritely engines
Sticks to road
Phone connectivity implementation
Safe styling
Lack of paint choices
"The Polo looks crisp, clean and elegant, inside and out. Its turbocharged engines supply great everyday performance without using much petrol."
CarsGuide
Masterful execution
Small, punchy engines
Infotainment and multimedia execution
Husky engine when worked
Firm ride could be divisive
Meagre rear seat space and comforts
"By far the biggest and most lasting impression from my initial time with the Polo is that it feels like a whole lot of car for the money, even in its base-model guise."
Motoring
Glorious ride
Premium noise insulation
Settled handling
Grab handles missing
Pricey options
"Volkswagen's Polo has long forged a reputation as the car that sets the bar for small cars and its sixth generation is no different."
Car Showroom
Elegant all over
Build quality
Forgiving ride
Styling is a bit conservative
Could be more exciting
"The Polo has really perfected what it sets out to do, which really is to be a smaller Golf without the typical compromises that might entail. It's comfortable and well built, stable at high speed but nippy around town, though it really ought to be more spacious for rear passengers."
Engine and performance
Volkswagen fitted the Polo with either a four-cylinder, turbo 1.2-litre petrol engine or a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol. The 1.2 comes in two different tunes. The standard config outputs 66kW @ 4,400rpm and is rated for 160Nm at a lowly 1,400rpm. Then, VW turned up the power to 81kW and 175Nm for some Comfortline and Urban + Polos. For the GTI, buyers get a grunty 1.8-litre, with 320Nm at 1,450rpm and 141kW kicking in at 4,300rpm. Gearbox wise, there's a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic.
The Polo is a pretty lean fuel burner. Trendline models have either a manual or seven-speed DSG with a combined fuel economy of 4.8L/100km. In urban environs, the automatic uses 5.9L/100km, whereas the manual can only manage 6.1L/100km. Extra-urban, the manual is slightly more efficient at 4.1L/100km against the auto's 4.2L/100km.
Comfortline models have a higher power and torque output. Manual models use 4.9L/100km combined, where the auto uses 4.8L/100km. For urban driving, the six-speed gearbox variant uses 6.2L/100km, while the auto-only needs 5.9L/100km. Extra-urban, the manual again outdoes the auto shifter, by 0.1L per 100km, at a measured 4.1L/100km versus 4.2L/100km.
The sporty GTi models use the most petrol. Manual-equipped GTIs are rated as follows:
Combined: 6.1L/100km
Urban: 7.7L/100km
Extra-urban: 5.2L/100km
Automatics are slightly more frugal, with the following ratings:
Combined: 5.7L/100km
Urban: 7.3L/100km
Extra-urban: 4.8L/100km
Handling
Car reviewers described the Polo's handling as stable, sure-footed, planted and accomplished. It was likened to the VW Golf in this department by some journalists.
Others suggested it was one of the best on the market around tight urban roads, though it would appear to be a multi-skilled performer. Volkswagen engineers have made the car's ride and handling work across quick, gentle corners as well as across road surfaces of varying conditions. Steering matches the rest of the car's proficiency, with testers saying it was accurate and responsive.
Interior and other features
Standard features on 2017 VW Polo models vary depending on the spec.
Volkswagen Polo safety and security features
Trendline
Comfortline
GTI
Driver and front passenger airbags
✔
✔
✔
Driver and front passenger-side airbags
✔
✔
✔
Curtain airbags, front and rear
✔
✔
✔
Alarm system with interior monitoring, tilt sensor and SAFELOCK deadlocking mechanism
✗
✗
✔
Electronic engine immobiliser
✔
✔
✔
Security coded audio system
✔
✔
✔
Automatic flashing emergency brake lights
✔
✔
✔
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
✔
✔
✔
Brake assist
✔
✔
✔
Electronic brake-pressure distribution (EBD)
✔
✔
✔
Hill-start assist (HSA)
✔
✔
✔
Multi-collision brake
✔
✔
✔
ISOFIX child seat anchors
✔
✔
✔
First aid kit
Optional accessory
Optional accessory
Optional accessory
Lower bumper, halogen daytime running lights
✔
✔
✔
Front fog lights with static
✗
✗
✔
Rear fog lights
✔
✔
✔
One-touch lock/unlock for driver
✔
✔
✔
Anti-slip regulation (ASR)
✔
✔
✔
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
✔
✔
✔
Electronic stabilisation program (ESP)
✔
✔
✔
Extended electronic differential lock (XDL)
✗
✗
✔
Volkswagen Polo exterior features
Trendline
Comfortline
GTI
Body colour bumper strips, door handles and wing mirrors
✔
✔
✔
Body colour lower front spoiler with aerodynamic louvres
✗
✗
✔
Exposed exhaust tailpipe
✔
✔
✗
Exposed dual chrome exhaust tailpipes
✗
✗
✔
GTI nameplates
✗
✗
✔
Headlights and lower air intake with chrome highlights
✗
✔
✗
Radiator grille highlight in chrome
✔
✔
✗
Radiator grille and headlight housings with red/chrome strip
✗
✗
✔
Rear bumper with black sports diffuser
✗
✗
✔
Rear roof spoiler with black aerodynamic extension
✗
✗
✔
Side sill extension in black
✗
✗
✔
Heat insulating tinted glass
✔
✔
✔
Darkened rear light cluster
✗
✗
✔
15-inch steel wheels
✔
✗
✗
15-inch alloy wheels
✗
✔
✗
17-inch Parabolica alloy wheels
✗
✗
✔
Low tyre pressure indicator
✗
✗
✔
Full-size spare steel wheel
✔
✔
✗
Weight-saving temporary spare wheel
✗
✗
✔
Volkswagen Polo comfort and convenience features
Trendline
Comfortline
GTI
Manual A/C
✔
✔
✗
Automatic A/C climate control
✗
✗
✔
Height adjustable front centre armrest
✗
✔
✔
Cruise control
✔
✔
✔
Rear-view camera (with static guides)
✔
✔
✔
Sport Select suspension with Sport Performance Kit
✗
✗
✔
Decorative red-edging carpet mats
✗
✗
✔
6.5-inch touchscreen display with CD, SD card slot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
✔
✔
✔
Bluetooth phone connectivity
✔
✔
✔
Four front speakers, two rear
✔
✔
✔
Aluminium pedals
✗
✗
✔
Black headlining and pillar trim
✗
✗
✔
Leather gear shift knob and hand brake lever
✗
✔
✔
Automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror
✗
✗
✔
Heated exterior mirrors
✔
✔
✔
Rear parking sensors
Optional
Optional
Optional
Sports seats with bolstering
✗
✗
✔
Full-size spare steel wheel
✔
✔
✗
Leather steering wheel
✗
✔
✔
Sports steering wheel with decorative stitching and brushed aluminium inserts
✗
✗
✔
Gearshift paddles (DSG)
✗
✗
✔
Cloth seat
✔
✗
✗
Comfort cloth
✗
✔
✗
Clark sports cloth with red contrast stitching
✗
✗
✔
Rain sensor
✗
✗
✔
Mechanical reliability
On a site that allows buyers to independently review their own car, the Volkswagen Polo has 3.9 stars out of five as of October 2019. There doesn't appear to be any common mechanical faults with the model.
There have been a few recalls for this model year of Polo. You should check the ACCC Product Safety Website for more information.
The verdict
From the comments of reviewers, it seems the VW Polo MK5 is almost perfect. Volkswagen is an experienced car manufacturer and the Polo line has existed since 1975, giving the company decades to experiment, test and develop to produce the ultimate small hatchback.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Alex Jeffs is the senior publisher for personal, car and business finance at Finder. He has been building websites since he was 14 years old and has tested cars everywhere from race tracks to Oodnadatta.
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