Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Polo 1.6 TDI

Does smallest diesel work in the latest supermini star?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£1,864 off RRP*
Find your Volkswagen Polo
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Polo doesn’t feel like it’s simply a smaller version of the Golf. The newcomer is brilliantly built and good looking in its own way. This entry-level diesel version may not be a hot hatch, but it still offers a great blend of performance and fuel economy. And while a Fiesta is more fun to drive, and provides a bit more all-round sparkle, the Polo’s quality and premium big-car feel shines through.

Advertisement - Article continues below

When it comes to giving buyers choice, VW’s new Polo is tough to beat! As well as an extensive line-up of petrol powerplants – including the cracking 1.2-litre TSI turbo model we drove here – there’s an all-new diesel engine, too.

Replacing the 1.4 TDI and the noisy old 1.9-litre TDI unit is a fresh 1.6-litre TDI common-rail motor from the latest Golf, available in 74bhp or 89bhp form. It’s the less powerful of these that’s expected to be the biggest seller, so Auto Express got behind the wheel to see how it performs.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the VW Polo

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68451","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Before you even start the engine, it’s hard not to be impressed. Even though the new Polo is longer and wider than its predecessor, and packs enough safety kit for an anticipated five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, VW’s engineers have managed to make it nearly eight per cent lighter than before! The stylists deserve a pat on the back, too – the Polo’s look may owe much to the Golf, but it is smart and sophisticated in its own way, and appears distinctive on the road.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Polo

2021 Volkswagen

Polo

20,666 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,345
View Polo
Polo

2021 Volkswagen

Polo

9,757 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £15,621
View Polo
Polo

2021 Volkswagen

Polo

33,787 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £12,995
View Polo
Polo

2020 Volkswagen

Polo

49,925 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,000
View Polo

Twist the key, and the smooth diesel powerplant underlines this. Gone is the rattle of the old units, and in comes some real refinement. In fact, if it wasn’t for the 1.6’s slightly gruff engine note, you’d be hard pressed to tell it was a diesel at all.

With only 74bhp, it’s no flier off the line – 0-60mph takes around 14 seconds – but the 195Nm of torque provides a broad spread of urge and strong mid-range acceleration. It’s also remarkably quiet when cruising at high speed. The icing on the cake is fuel economy of 67.3mpg and CO2 emissions of only 109g/km.

Under the skin lies VW’s new small car platform, which is also set to underpin Audi’s forthcoming A1. It’s not as much fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta – while the steering is precise, it lacks feedback and, compared to the petrol model we tried, the weighty diesel engine blunts agility. However, what the new Polo does boast is a big-car feel. And that’s its greatest strength. No model in the class comes close to offering such a truly premium experience in a small package.

Rival: Ford Fiesta
If you want a supermini that puts a smile on your face, the brilliant Fiesta is it. Drivers will love its engaging dynamics and stylish looks – although there’s not a great deal else to choose between the Ford and the VW.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £7,299
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £15,500
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,219 off RRP*Used from £10,695
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,049 off RRP*Used from £10,420
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range
Auto Express team standing with a selection of EVs underneath a lightning storm

Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range

Five EVs under £24k have joined Dacia’s Spring on the UK market. How far can you go on a budget? We find out
Features
30 Jul 2025
New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k
Citroen C5 Aircross - front

New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k

Citroen’s revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power
News
28 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price

The ‘car with no rear window’ is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It’s our Deal of the Day for July 28
News
28 Jul 2025