Volkswagen Polo review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

Though superminis are still wildly popular cars in Europe, more buyers are opting for five-door accessibility over three-door sportiness, and the Mk6 Polo is now sold strictly with five-doors. 

It’s a totally conventional supermini set-up, boasting two full-size seats in the front, and a bench in the back for up to three passengers. Again, classic small car versatility means a highly and easily adjustable driving position, and all cars come with seat height adjustment – you’ll struggle not to find a comfortable setting, while the classy cabin is home to a decent amount of storage bins and cubbies.

Visibility is good and it’s easy to get a sense of where the Polo’s corners are, although the thick C-pillars at the back are less than ideal. Front and rear parking parking sensors are standard on Style models and above, along with adaptive cruise control which is an advantage on longer motorway journeys.

Size

Using a modified version of the Golf’s platform called MQB A0, the Mk6 VW Polo grows in size compared to the fifth-generation car. Against the tape measure, it’s 4,053 long, 1,751mm wide, and 1,461mm tall. Compared to the Ford Fiesta, it’s longer, wider and shorter in height, while the 2,551mm wheelbase is longer than the Ford’s too.   

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Leg room, head room & passenger space

While that longer wheelbase doesn’t necessarily mean that the Polo holds a distinct advantage over the Fiesta when it comes to passenger space, it’s still a roomy car for the class, especially thanks to the extra width it's been given. The modern, pared back dashboard layout means that space up front feels generous, while legroom and headroom in the back is good enough for adults too. Three in the back remains a tight fit though, as the transmission tunnel cuts noticeably into legroom for the middle passenger.   

Boot

The Polo’s boot sizes up at 351-litres with the rear seats raised, meaning it's neck and neck with the SEAT Ibiza. It’s also a huge advance on the previous generation Polo’s 280-litre load space.

The rear bench folds forward with a 60:40 split, although the seats don’t go completely flat. The cargo bay expands to an impressive 1,125-litres with the seats lowered, firmly planting the Polo’s flag as a practical supermini.