Volkswagen Polo 2019 Review

It was always inevitable, but in six generations Volkswagen’s Polo has grown. A lot.
Today it is so much bigger than the 1996 original that it equals the Golf 4 that was its larger sibling at the time of its local introduction 23 years ago. In terms of packaging, the once-tiny Polo delivers what was once expected of a Golf.

Of course this is pretty much always the case with a subservient model that it grows with each generation – as much as to retain the physical relationship with its also-growing bigger stablemate as it is to try keeping pace with its competition, while sometimes even addressing the increasing needs of its faithful adherents.

A Polo buyer from 23 years ago just might find the light hatchback keeping pace over the years with his/her evolving needs.

This is all part of the modular platform-sharing across a sometimes-divergent range of models to keep a rein on development costs. The Polo in fact is based on the same MQB architecture that also forms the basis of current-generation Golf, Tiguan and Passat-based Volkswagens, as well as others.

Today’s Volkswagen Polo model range stretches from the base 70 TSI Trendline, with a 70kW/175Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo driving either a five-speed manual-transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch ($18,790 and $21,290 respectively), through 85kW/200Nm 85 TSI manual-six-speed or seven-speed DSG auto Comfortline models ($20,290 and $22,790 respectively), to the $31,990 GTI variant that will, with the help of its 147kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine and six-speed DSG gearbox, cover the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 6.7sec (which is pretty brisk for a light hatch).

Clearly Volkswagen focusses much of its attention on the mid-spec 85 TSI Comfortline Polo which justifies a $1500 surcharge over the base Trendline by adding to that model’s standard autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian-avoidance, driver attention detection, collision warning, cruise control and reversing camera (which pops out as part of the VW symbol that also acts as a boot release) with some glamming-up of the interior that includes upgraded cloth upholstery, judiciously-placed extra brightwork, a centre-console armrest, auto-dimming electrochromatic rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and rear reading lights.

There’s also a set of 15-inch alloys replacing the Trendline’s steel wheels, although both wear the same 185/65R15 tyres and come with full-size spares.

Adding an indisputable sense of upmarket high-tech, our test 85 TSI Comfortline was fitted with Volkswagen’s optional Sound and Vision Package that, for an added $1900, mimics Audi’s “Virtual Cockpit” with a configurable high-definition colour display on the instrument panel directly ahead of the driver, all easily activated by a “view” button on the right-side steering-wheel spoke.

The package also includes centre-dash sat-nav, inductive wireless mobile phone charging and a Beats audio system.

There’s no questioning the Polo’s innate sense of class in the light-hatchback segment: There’s soft-touch surfacing on the upper and lower sections of the dash (although not on the doors), and the quality and fit of the vinyl is clearly a cut above many of its more proletarian competitors.

The stitched leather, flat-bottom steering wheel is something to hold and behold, and the windows power up or down with a brief touch.

Although Volkswagen would probably ask what you expect of a Golf 4-size car with a before on-roads, optioned-up price of $23,890, there is however no adaptive cruise control, no climate-control, no electric park brake and the three-cylinder engine is cranked to life by a conventional key-start on the steering column.

Likening the new-generation Polo to the 1996 Golf isn’t all flattery either: The Golf has never really been known for its generosity of rear-seat legroom and the latest Polo isn’t either.

Considering how much it has grown externally (the original Polo had a wheelbase of 2400mm and the new one has been stretched to 2548mm, or 37mm more than the 1996 Golf 4) in its sixth generation, the Polo is okay for general space inside, but isn’t exactly generous in its provisions for leggy occupants sitting in the back.

It’s far from being the worst in the light class of course but, given the new-found dimensional generosity, it’s still surprising that the designers couldn’t have done a bit more. At least the boot, at 351 litres and expanding to 1125 litres with all seats folded, is more than a token, better than many of its competitors.

The manually-adjusted, cloth-clad seats don’t bring any complaints as far as comfort is concerned and are supportive enough to make long up-country trips relatively fatigue-free.

Speaking of which, the Polo 85 TSI Comfortline is equally adept at handling the freeway as it is nipping and tucking its way around the ‘burbs.

But although the suspension finds a nice sweet spot between comfort and handling response, making the Polo predictable and grippy within the confines of its 185/65R15 rubber, the steering, at a surprisingly slow 2.7 turns from lock to lock, feels a tad slow and not particularly sharp. It’s something to be acclimatised to and, once you do that, the Polo becomes a trustworthy conveyance on the road.

And so is the tiny one-litre three-cylinder engine.

In all honesty you are rarely aware of just how small and cylinder-deficient it is. The kilowatts and torque, in the 85 TSI version at least, suggest there’s something quite a bit bigger at play.

The only let-down is the combination of small engine capacity, slow take-up within the seven-speed DSG transmission and the brief pause before the turbo spools up. All result in a hesitancy, on initial take-off, as you wait for the power and torque kick in. For a turbo engine, the 200Nm torque maximum comes in a bit late too, at 2000rpm, although under way there’s no problem finding the three-pot’s usable reserves.

Fuel economy, apart from Volkswagen’s dictum stating a minimum 95 RON fuel should be used, is no issue as we recorded 5.6L/100km on test – pretty close to the official 4.9L/100km.

Although the Polo’s logical competition comes from Japan and Korea, and includes top-sellers such as Hyundai Accent, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift, the mini Volkswagen is also likely to be cross-shopped against the generally more expensive MINI hatch, Audi A1 and Peugeot 208.

And lurking in the wings is the Polo’s more affordable blood-brother, the Skoda Fabia.
Working in the Polo’s favour and following a little behind the sixth-generation model’s local launch in late 2018 is Volkswagen’s upping of its warranty, which now covers five years/unlimited kilometres.

This is backed up by for 12 months of roadside assist, extendable via what Volkswagen calls Service Initiated Roadside Assistance for a further nine years if the car is serviced at authorised Volkswagen dealers. A pre-paid fixed-priced servicing plan can also be purchased to cover the first three or five scheduled services.

A clearly Teutonic statement in an ultra price-sensiteve market area that is populated by car-makers from all over the globe, the Volkswagen Polo comes with a lot of class, technology and competence.

And now, its size upgrade adds an extra degree of practicality which brings it close to bridging the gap to some cars that are categorised in the small-car segment.

At entry level it may cost a bit more than some of the big sellers (year-to-date sales as of May 2019 showed it to be in seventh position in the light segment) but, taken feature for feature, the Volkswagen Polo is more than just competitive and underlines it all with a distinct sense of refinement and maturity.

If your light-car inclinations have a Teutonic bent, there are not many other places to go.

How much does the 2019 Volkswagen Polo 85 TSI Comfortline cost?
Price: $22,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 4.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 112g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)