Volkswagen Polo Hatchback (2009 - 2017) 1.4 SEL 5d (2011/11) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
The Polo has a subtle, classy image. The car's best feature is its understated external design.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
They like the way it looks and the good quality interior.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Possibly. I would not buy the 1.4 engined model again due to its poor performance. However the TSI engine is very expensive in the Polo. I would probably consider a Skoda Fabia instead.
What are you likely to buy next?
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchised
Did you buy this car new?
Yes
What price did you pay?
£13,500
When did you buy the car?
April 2011
Did you get a good deal and why?
Purchased through an online broker so I received a reasonable discount from list price.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
What was the dealer like?
Dealer based a long way from my home, but they kept me informed prior to delivery. Car delivered to my door at no charge.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Handles tidily with very direct steering the 16" wheels, although the steering is light and lacking in feel. Gearchange is smooth and precise. The performance of the old-fashioned 1.4 engine leaves a lot to be desired. It has very little power below 2000RPM and I find it hard work in urban driving. It is better on the motorway, where it hits it power band at 70 MPH in fifth gear. Why does VW only offer the superior TSI engine in the top model when is available in mid-range versions of the (cheaper) Skoda Fabia? Ride quality is poor in urban areas on the 16" wheels. The car thumps and crashes over imperfections in the road surface. This improves at higher speeds, but I would buy a model with 15" wheels next time.
What's it like to park?
Not great for a supermini. Rear visibility is poor and it is difficult to judge where the back of the car is without parking sensor.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
No major faults, aside for a squeaking accelerator pedal. The car feels well-built in general.
What's most practical about your car?
Easy to fold rear seats and reasonable interior space. Split level boot floor is very useful.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Optional climate control works well. Stereo has good sound quality and MDI interface is very useful for playing music from the USB stick.
