Overview

The Volkswagen Polo is a smart, polished and solid choice in the supermini segment. A big part of its appeal is that it’s a little more sophisticated than its rivals. It’s based on a smaller version of the MQB platform found under the larger Golf hatchback and it has a more premium, grown-up attitude than rivals such as the Vauxhall Corsa and Toyota Yaris.

You pay a price, though. The Polo’s more expensive than its rivals, and its ‘grown-up’ demeanour treads dangerously close to being boring. Lower-spec Polos can feel utterly joyless.

There are plenty of fun-loving rivals vying for your attention, too, including the MINI Hatch, SEAT Ibiza and  Renault Clio. Or, if you want the most delight for your dosh, you could opt for a lightly used version of the recently discontinued Ford Fiesta.

If you value comfort and convenience and aren’t that fussed about having an entertaining driving experience, the Polo could be perfect for you. It has a spacious interior for its size, a good infotainment system, and its materials would feel at home in larger, more expensive cars.

Its engine range is pleasingly simple, too. The standard car is available with a choice of three 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines with 80hp, 95hp or 115hp. You can also choose between a five-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox. Above these, there’s the sporty, 2.0-litre-powered Polo GTI, which we’ve covered in a separate review.

On top of that, there are currently five trim levels to choose from – Life, Match, Style, R-Line and Black Edition. They all come with air conditioning, cruise control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Match adds a wireless phone charger and reversing camera; Style also comes with Matrix LED headlights and sat nav; R-Line gets sporty-looking styling; Black Edition has its own set of styling details, plus bigger wheels.

The current Polo is the sixth generation in a line that dates back to 1975. It was launched in 2017 and facelifted in 2021. We’ve tested countless examples over the years in the UK and abroad; most recently, Senior Staff Writer Ted Welford conducted a long-term test that lasted a month. You can read more about how we test cars at Parkers.

Volkswagen’s bosses reckon the latest Polo’s small-but-premium branding is ‘overcoming traditional class boundaries.’ You get more of a large car experience in this Polo than any of its predecessors, something we think is really appealing in a small car.

Over the next few pages, we’ll thoroughly review all aspects of the Volkswagen Polo and rate them in our verdict. Our scores consider the car’s practicality, safety, interior quality, technology, comfort, driving experience and running costs. Click through to the next page to learn more.