Cheaper, sportier and better looking... That’s what’s on offer from a three-door supermini. Take Ford’s Fiesta, for example. While the five-door is a fine looker, it’s the three-door that really turns heads.
Up until now, though, you’d have been better buying a walking stick than rely on a three-door VW Polo to boost your image! Can the new version do anything to change that?
Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the VW Polo
VW claims that subtle tweaks to the bodywork give the three-door a more aggressive stance. It’s luxurious too, with four trims – S, SE, Moda and SEL. And the three-door is expected to cost about £600 less than the five.
It uses the same engine range as the five-door, including the 1.6 TDI diesel, 1.2-litre three-cylinder and ageing 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrols. From next year we’ll also get a BlueMotion model with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder diesel giving 88g/km, plus a GTI with VW’s 170bhp 1.4 TSI twincharger unit.
The top seller, however, is predicted to be this model, the new 104bhp 1.2 TSI.
After the buzzy 1.4, the 1.2 TSI feels lively and revvy. It pulls strongly from low revs, but is smoother and more refined.
It’s also faster, with a claimed top speed of 119mph and 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds.
However, fuel consumption of around 51mpg is 25 per cent better than the 1.6-litre unit the TSI replaces, while a CO2 figure of 130g/km means the 1.2 will fall into road tax Band D, costing £120 a year.
The six-speed gearbox is slick, but the seven-speed DSG twin-clutch transmission is definitely worth going for. Handling is crisp, if not as sharp as the Fiesta’s.
The electrically assisted steering reduces its effort with road speed and provides decent feedback. The ride is good, too, although road noise is obvious on concrete surfaces.
Even so, we came away from our encounter impressed. The Polo’s blend of refinement, driver involvement and practicality mean it really is a shrunken Golf.
Rival: Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta rains on the Polo’s parade in terms of sharp looks, price and handling.
However, only the 1.6 keeps pace with the 1.2 TSI, and you’ve got to go down to a 1.25-litre to match its economy.
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An enquiry with my local VW dealership and confirmed by VW Customer Services, indicated that the 'best' version of the new Polo being the 1.2 TSi engine mated to the 7 - speed DSG gearbox would NOT be coming to the UK!
Any comment to the contrary from Auto Express?
I have read the rave reviews for the new Polo but been put off by the sluggish performance of the range being offered in the UK. It appears that many of the reviewers have been given 'racy' models, such as the TSi, which my dealer also advises is not coming to the UK.
My contacts in the Volkswagen press office say that it IS coming, and it should arrive in January 2010:
http://www.polodriver.com/polo-2009/new-polo-1-2-tsi-to-arrive-in-january-2010/
polodriver.com - the new online resource for the Volkswagen Polo
My contacts in the Volkswagen press office say that it IS coming, and it should arrive in January 2010:
http://www.polodriver.com/polo-2009/new-polo-1-2-tsi-to-arrive-in-january-2010/
polodriver.com - the new online resource for the Volkswagen Polo
Guys, any more news if this combination is coming to the UK. I just checked the VW Ireland site and its listed on there. No 1.4 either!
http://www.volkswagen.ie/Configurator/index.cfm?fuseaction=vw.Variant&modelID=2533&bodyID=4236
thanks
Andrew.
A North London VW dealer mentioned that this vehicle will be available with the DSG box mated to the 1.4 TSI (122 PS engine)
In future, please ask them, the manufacturers/importers, if we in the UK will get all the models you mention in the article....................what seems to be the best and most technically advanced of the lot, the 1.2Tsi Turbo engined Polo will not, apparently, be making an appearance on these shores.
As the "de facto" weekly motoring newspaper shouldn't you be asking them why and reporting it...?
OR, does advertising revenue drive your "reporting" stance
I agree with initref. I have an Eos 2.0Tsi and a Golf 1.6FSI, both autos. I want to downsize from the Golf and reduce running costs - and the Polo 1.2TSi looks ideal. But I must have the DSG box. So can you please tell VW that there will be plenty of demand for the DSG version in the UK and then tell us what their plans are. My friendly local VW dealer "thought" that the DSG version would come to the UK but clearly wasn't certain.
this version is perfect plus i like more polo than golf
Numerous people have expressed an interest in the 1.2 TSI, DSG Polo, but no dealer in the country or Autoexpress appears to show any interest in looking into the reasons why the UK can not have this model.
Why not?
It's here in the UK now and we at PoloDriver.com have driven it:
it really is impressive; a nice blend of performance, economy and kit:
http://issuu.com/polodriver/docs/volkswagen_polo_tsi_bluemotion_drives
The engine's gutsy, and even a little sporty, if that's what prospective owners want. Not quite a GTI granted, but fun never the less.
No DSG though; only on the 1.4 85bhp non-TSI model.
autoexpress and all volkawagen dealers couldn't give a toss that the 1.2 tsi dsg in not coming to the uk despite numerous requests
I tested the 1.4 dsg Polo and although a great car! I thought the engine was far too underpowered and would be much better with the 1.2tsi. I've tested a Skoda Fabia with the 1.2 TSI DSG and think its a cracking little engine. So will probably get a Seat Ibiza or maybe a Fabia.
Shame on you Volkswagen for not making the 1.2 TSI available with the DSG in the UK.
I'm looking for a quality supermini to replace my Golf as a second car (my main car is an Eos 2.0Tsi DSG). I must have 5 doors and an automatic. As a VAG fan I investigated what they have to offer. A Polo seemed the obvious choice, but the 1.4 auto is underpowered and the GTi is more than I need (and my wife has an aversion to black headlinings!). So the 1.2 Tsi DSG is just the ticket. The Audi A1 is out until they produce a 5 door version (and in any case I didn't like the jittery low speed ride in the 1.4 sport DSG that I drove). The Ibiza is too tacky inside. So come on, Auto Express, please advise VW that we need a Polo 1.2 TSI DSG in the UK! Otherwise, I might have to buy a Skoda Fabia, or (more likely) desert VAG altogether.
Can't quite understand why the Polo 1.2 TSI is still such a relative rarity. We bought one in April at an unbeatable price from VW Chester and have been thoroughly delighted with it, but every other new Polo I see is one of the older-engined versions. The 1.2 TSI has been available since early 2010 and is way better than the 1.4 I tested previously. The comment by "polodriver" above sums up the car very well, and as for comparison with the ugly Skoda, forget it. I know, I drive a work 1.9TDI version (very good though it is in its own right)...
There’s lots to like about the new Polo, which seems to be a car for its time.
The 1.2 TSI engine goes to the top of the class for economy, refinement and performance for a start.
The three-door car is spacious inside, while the styling is grown-up and the ride and handling balance is lovely.
Add in VW’s fine residual values, build quality and image, and you have an extremely classy supermini.