The Polo by Volkswagen

The Polo is the entry level Golf as how one would to describe it. The car distinctively has the same frontal id of the Golf, and from a distance, one could be confused. Being the global car of the year for 2010, this car is high in technological advancements in engineering, quality, handling and ride comfort. The one thing that can be comparative to the Polo in the same ‘category’ would possibly be the Golf! No other hatch in the segment comes with a DSG and TSI combination. Polo is truly in a class of its own, and Volkswagen has done it right again, making their hatches the most sought after ‘cult’ like status car in the world.

This is their 5th generation model and it is a pocket rocket. It sure packs a punch as it has 105PS on tap, coupled with a TSI engine, and only has a displacement of only 1.2l under the hood. Priced at 108,888, it was awarded as the World Car of the Year as well as the Car of The Year 2010 for design, performance and technology. The car is equipped with a DSG 7-speed gearbox and the spirit of driving would be included whilst driving this Polo. This DSG gearbox runs a dry sump hence no oil changes are ever needed!

The engine delivers 175Nm of torque and has a wide torque range of 1,550-4100rpm. The car accelerates almost instantly from standstill and does the 0-100kmph in 9.6 seconds with DSG mode. To get this car moving is almost effortless and it just goes when you ‘pedal to the metal’. Despite being only a 1.2l, the turbocharger delivers impressive performance by force air induction from low to high end. Cruising on the highways at around 140kmph, the car revs sit at about 2,800rpm. Thus, the 7th gear makes it nice for the mileage and the Noise Vehicle Harshness in the car is really good. It is an economical car as it only consumes a mere 5.3litres per 100km and emits 124g of CO2 per kilometer. It is RON95 compliant and has a capacity of a 45litre petrol tank.

Driving up twisty roads, the Polo holds its own, and there is no torque steer as it runs on Electronic Limited-Slip differential (EDS). Torque is distributed to the front wheel to stay firmly around bends, as the EDS will give you the output onto the road, and control slip from the left and right end of the front wheel effortlessly. Driving this Polo, one is able to put the power down around bends while the car is still boosting up the revs. If one is to come out of T-junctions with this car, you can punch it, and the wheels will not slip and the car just revs up to leave traffic behind. Heading up to corners, the DSG gearbox downshifts with a slight rumble in the engine. The rumble is the engine braking mode that works with the DSG gearbox to slow down the car in comparison to a conventional automatic gearbox that does not do that.

The handling is excellent with its 15” alloy wheels and tires hugging the roads even at high speeds. The Polo has an Electronic Stabilization Program mode (ESP) with anti-lock braking system (ABS) with braking assistant, and this feature is essential for a car to stop. Running on a four brake disc system, the car reacts very well to stopping, thanks to the brake systems that also has brake assistance. If you are travelling a tad fast and trying to stop, brake pressure will be applied if you hold the brake pedal longer and pressure is not enough, brake assist will come into action.

The ESP mode on the Polo cannot be turned off as there is no manual button override. The Polo’s agility is my favorite with the car being able to handle tight bends nicely with the ESP function. The car does not unsettle, and for an entry level European hot hatch car, it is really surprising that this car handles so much better than a lot of other cars out there in the same price bracket.

It is also awarded with the coveted 5 stars in the Euro NCAP comprehensive testing. Six airbags are included as standard in the Polo. Airbags are located at the front for both driver and passenger. Curtain airbags a plus point for a car in this segment are also equipped for the front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front. ISOFIX child seat anchorage system is available as standard which sets the bar higher for an entry level car in the same segment. The exterior has an extended pedestrian protection designed with safety in mind for the people inside and outside of the cabin.

Interior packaging is nice and simple. Comfort levels are good and leg room is excellent in the rear cabin. The steering is in leather wrappings and has telescopic adjustments on the column. Radio buttons are on the steering as well to enable ease of driving. The gear knob and handbrake are also in leather however the seats are in fabric. The interior has anti-scratch materials all around the doors and dash area. Simple and yet functional in design, the Polo would appeal to the general public without fuss, and it is also equipped with a climatic semi-automatic air conditioning system ; a first for a car in this segment.

The Polo holds its own and will profoundly give you the confidence in driving. What makes this car so nice to drive is the ease of power delivery and knowing that the car has all the intricacies of the Volkswagen safety and technology in place. I never imagined that a small little 1.2l engine can deliver so much punch and torque. The Polo comes with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, and the first manufacturer to offer such a high service standard in this price range. I have not heard of any other manufacturer offer and unlimited mileage warranty in a long time. An entry level Volkswagen hot hatch is excellent with so much to offer and yet one is able to drive it fast and slow any day or all day!’ -iK

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