The new Volkswagen Polo.
ROADTEST FACTFILE
Car...Volkswagen Polo
Model...SE 1.2-litre 70PS five-door manual
mpg (comb cycle)...51.4mpg
CO2 emissions...128g/km
Price...£11,995
Loaned by Esplanade, Newport
EXPECT style tempered with quality and practicality with the new Volkswagen Polo.
For 34 years, the name Polo has been synonymous with that solid reassuring clunk as you close the door — a sign that what you are driving is built to last.
It seems Volkswagen is also extremely good at producing something so effortlessly stylish that you will love it year in, year out.
This is absolutely true of the latest fifth generation Polo, which has been proving so popular for test drives at Island dealers Esplanade that the demonstrator’s wheels have barely had time to cool on the garage forecourt before it has been taken out again.
The new Polo has been subtly restyled to include a front grille and face that bear a strong resemblance to the sporty Scirocco and the sixth generation Golf.
I particularly like the stylish halogen headlights, which include daytime running lights and blend seamlessly with the chrome-trimmed radiator grille louvre insert.
As with many other Volkwagen models, you can depress the large VW badge on the back to open the boot.
Inside, the new Polo has a classic chic with quality fabrics and finishes, matt chrome details and a well-designed cabin with plenty of space for five.
The mid-range SE has lots of comfort and convenience features, including easy to use climatic air-conditioning and a radio/MP3-compatible CD player with six speakers and AUX-in socket for connection to an iPOD.
It has smart electrically-heated and adjustable body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators, driver and passenger seat height adjustment, remote central locking, electric front and rear windows, a split-folding backseat and a spacious boot with a variable load floor, which provides a useful hidden area for stowing items.
There are tonnes of safety features as standard — even the entry-level S has ABS brakes with hydraulic brake assist; an electronic stability programme with traction control; a range of airbags, speed-sensitive power steering and much more.
To drive, the 1.2-litre 70PS petrol engine is much nippier than you might think, the car handles very well and its compact dimensions ensure it is easy to squeeze into parking spaces in town — although rear parking sensors are available as an option.
It’s a good economical performer too, capable of producing 51.4mpg on a combined cycle and up to 62.8mpg extra-urban, according to Volkswagen’s official figures.
It has a top speed of 103mph and goes from zero to 62mph in a respectable 14.1 seconds.
The new Polo also offers good emissions at just 128g/km, which means it qualifies for relatively low road tax of just £120 per year.
The 1.2-litre engine is a particularly good choice for a family who are teaching their teenagers to drive because it falls into a low insurance group, but there are other higher-powered petrol and diesel engines available too.
The SE I drove is priced at £11,995 on the road and the five-door range starts from £10,035, rising to £14,910.
There is a three-door range due out in the new year and prices for these models will start from £9,435.