Volkswagen Polo

It's unlikely that there have been any changes between the Polo that was introduced ten years ago and the most recent model. The hatchback's basic style package has mostly not changed, however there have been some small changes made to the bumper, headlights, fog light surrounds, alloy wheels, taillights, and rear bumper.

If you attentively examine the most recent makeover, it is obvious that it has taken design cues from the discarded VW GTI. Along with the black splitters on either side, the front bumper appearance is reminiscent of the GTI. The honeycomb mesh pattern on the front grille is now a choice, and a thin chrome strip runs along the lower edge. Since no option offers a projector system, the headlights use halogen bulbs. We believe that integrated LED daytime running lights and LED projector headlights should have been standard equipment on at least the top-spec model. Even the foglights, which are also cornering lights, are halogen models.

The VW Polo gets 16-inch alloy wheels finished in a gunmetal grey colour and there's also a little cladding that runs along with the running board. The rear design receives GTI-style bumper design and taillights. There’s also a faux diffuser at the rear to enhance the sportiness quotient. VW Polo measures 3971 mm in length, 1682 mm in width, 1469 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2470 mm. The ground clearance, at 168 mm, is good for Indian road conditions. 

The inside also features a previous design, just like the outside. The cabin feels somewhat antiquated and has had little alterations. Meanwhile, the minimalistic appearance it offers will undoubtedly appeal to car lovers. Even if the display isn't the biggest, it has connectivity capabilities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The high quality of the Polo's construction makes it even better after all these years. The Polo just keeps impressing, whether it's the assured thump you hear when you close the doors or the plastic quality employed elsewhere.

When the carmakers are shifting towards the digital instrument cluster, VW Polo’s old school analogue dials look classy. The seats are now updated with a new upholstery design and even get additional bolstering for that added comfort. You do get a height-adjustable armrest with a little storage space under it. 

Moving to the rear, the one thing you realise is that Polo is still not a family-friendly hatchback. Yes, the seat now offers additional bolstering on the side but the legroom and under-thigh support are still the sore points. That said, there's not much about the rear because Polo focuses on being the best driver’s car on a budget. The rear seat is best suited for average-sized adults and there's just about enough headroom and legroom for them. The presence of the rear AC vents, a 12V power socket and a bottle holder are nice touches. The boot space of the Polo measures 280 litres and falls short of what most rivals offer. For additional space, you can fold the rear seats but they don’t fold flat. 

Speaking of the equipment on offer, the VW Polo gets an automatic climate control, one-touch control for all four power windows, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming IRVM, tilt and telescopic adjustment for steering wheel, power-folding ORVMs, cooled glove box and connectivity features in the form of My Volkswagen Connect. 

There are two engine choices for the VW Polo: a 1.0L MPI that produces up to 75 bhp of peak power and with a peak torque of 95 Nm and a more potent 1.0L turbocharged direct injection motor that produces 109 bhp with 175 Nm. The 1.0L MPI engine can be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the 1.0L TSI comes standard with a 6-speed stick shift. Additionally, a 6-speed torque converter unit is also offered with the 1.0L TSI.

At idling, the 1.0 TSI three-pot motor is smooth and silent. The Polo pulls readily even at low engine rpm when the gear lever is inserted into the first cog. It is a city-friendly car as a result. However, if you're travelling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the too-upright clutch location could be a problem.The acceleration is quite smooth before the turbo kicks in. The boost comes right after you hit the 1700 RPM mark and stays there till the 6500 RPM redline. This allows building speeds in a linear way and even the overtaking is a piece of cake if you're in the right gear. The Polo even returns an excellent fuel economy in spite of the strong performance.

Even the 6-speed AT offers a good mix of performance and convenience. Out on the highways, the triple-digit speeds come effortlessly and even at city speeds, the automatic transmission is quick to respond to the throttle inputs. There's no vibration from the motor even at the redline but the engine gets vocal past 4000 RPM. In the 'S' mode, the power delivery gets even sharper. 

The 1.0L MPI motor isn’t a strong performer but offers high refinement levels. The naturally-aspirated unit is not all that fun but offers adequate performance for city use. The 5-speed manual gearbox offers smooth shifting and the light clutch makes city driving easier. 

At the Global NCAP crash test facility, the VW Polo received a 4-star rating. It received 12.54 out of a possible 17 points for adult occupant protection and 29.91 out of a possible 49 points for child occupant protection. Dual airbags, a front seat belt reminder, a high-speed warning system, rear parking sensors, traction control, an electronic stability programme, and hill hold control are further features of the VW Polo.

Also, even if you go by the seat of the pants, the Polo seems to be among the safest options in its class. Right from the way the doors shut with a thud to how one feels insulated from the outside world when driving - the VW Polo is easily among the better built models in its class. Also, the predictable handling lets you stay safe when driving fast on the twisties. However, with all said and done, we really wish for a new model built on the recently introduced MQB-A0-IN platform.