Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Polo Bluemotion

All-new version of green supermini promises to deliver ultimate efficiency with minimal sacrifices to performance.

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

As with the old Polo BlueMotion, this latest model has set a new standard for cleaner, greener motoring, and rivals will struggle to beat its blend of quality and understated class. The three-cylinder engine isn’t particularly refined or punchy, but it compensates by giving the Polo a unique character. The only problem is that the premium price makes buying one an expensive proposition, even if running it won’t be.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This is VW’s all-new Polo BlueMotion – a supermini that’s a superstar when it comes to offering penny-pinching running costs and eco-friendly emissions.

Under the bonnet lies a fresh 1.2-litre TDI three-cylinder engine – essentially the same common-rail 1.6 diesel unit as the Golf, but with the fourth cylinder removed. It produces 75bhp and 180Nm of torque, but the figures that really impress are CO2 emissions of only 91g/km and combined fuel economy of 80.7mpg.

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

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

That makes the Polo easily the greenest supermini on the market. The improvements are achieved thanks to stop-start and battery regeneration, plus a host of aerodynamic tweaks, which include a gloss black grille, rear spoiler and deeper front splitter. They also give the VW a purposeful look that’s unusual to find on a small car without any sporting intentions.

Behind the wheel, the three-cylinder engine is noisy yet tuneful, but unless it’s worked hard, acceleration is sedate at best – it reaches 0-62mph in 13.9 seconds.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Polo

2021 Volkswagen

Polo

26,586 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,392
View Polo
Polo

2021 Volkswagen

Polo

15,169 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,800
View Polo
Polo

2017 Volkswagen

Polo

32,852 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,399
View Polo
Polo

2020 Volkswagen

Polo

46,863 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,000
View Polo

In bends, the low-resistance tyres don’t offer the grip of normal rubber, but the chassis set-up is an excellent trade-off between handling and ride comfort. Overall, the Polo manages to feel much more grown-up than its rivals, such as the Ford Fiesta.

Dedicated economy models also require slight changes to your normal driving style. The longer gearing means that the Polo will occasionally struggle up hills without a quick downchange. And you have to remember to knock it into neutral while stationary to get the full benefit of the stop-start system. It won’t always kill the engine either – power-draining gadgets such as the air-con and heater will keep the car running.

Interior build quality is high, our only gripe is that the dark dashboard materials give the cabin a subdued, sombre feel. Standard equipment is generous, with air-con and alloys included, but with prices starting at £14,445 for the three-door, the BlueMotion is one of the most expensive models in the range.

Although there’s no road tax to pay, only drivers doing high annual mileages will claw back the initial cost in fuel savings.

Rival: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic 
The baby Ford can’t match the Polo in terms of economy or CO2 emissions, but its fun driving experience nearly makes up for its green shortcomings. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £32,828
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,135 off RRP*
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,499 off RRP*Used from £10,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025