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Motoring

             Volkswagen Polo – a match for any supermini


                                                                   that they fold further forwards than  five-speed manual ‘box and light
                                                                   they normally would making access   steering help.  An automatic
                                                                   to the back seats easier. Once in,   gearbox is only available for
                                                                   rear passengers will have good   the 1.2L and 1.4L petrol models.
                                                                   headroom, but leggier folk will find   ‘BlueMotion’ technology aids fuel
                                                                   knee space a bit on the tight side.   economy and the Volkswagen Polo
                                                                   Although it costs a little more, I’d   proved to be a sparing user of
                                                                   go for the five-door every time for   the precious fluid. A definite plus.
                                                                   the convenience.            Diesels are available but in my
                                                                    It is hard to fault the quality or   opinion are not the best choice for
                                                                   usability of the Polo’s design. Many   this excellent car.
                                                                   features have been lifted from   Visibility out of the Polo is
                                                                   bigger VW models giving the Polo   excellent making it easy to drive
                                                                   that premium feel. All models are   and park. It’s not a car that takes to
                                                                   fitted with a clear touchscreen,   being thrown about like some. The
                                                                   through which you control audio   soft suspension and light steering
             Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the Volkswagen Polo for a spin  and (optional) navigation functions.  (a plus for some) and total lack of
                                                                   Heater controls, USB, Bluetooth and  feedback from the road discourage
             Whenever a prospective buyer   have delivered the goods again.  AUX functions are all to hand, if   an ebullient driving style. The Polo
             considers a choice of supermini   Front seat passengers get more   specified.     prefers a more genteel approach to
             hatchbacks, the first thought is   than enough head and arm   The most popular engine, the 1L   motoring. It is none the worse for
             of the evergreen Fiesta. In fact,   room. They’ll also find enough   three-cylinder petrol with 60bhp,   that.
             this segment of the car market is   storage spaces for drink bottles,   is okay for local routes but perhaps   It’s a Volkswagen, so you can
             awash with decent small cars and   a smartphone and the inevitable   not so great for longer journeys.   expect excellent build quality and
             at the top of any list should be the   collection of detritus that we   Upgrade to the 74bhp version of the  interior finish.
             Volkswagen Polo.           all accumulate. The glove box is   same engine, as tested here, and the   Despite this, the Polo is not an
              As well as a very pleasant, if   well-sized integral to the smart   Polo will confidently keep pace with  expensive car. The model as tested
             conventional, interior and some   dashboard, and for once the door   motorway traffic. This is the one to   and pictured here in ‘Match’ trim
             smooth and efficient petrol engines,  pockets and boot are a useable size.  go for.  is priced at £13570 OTR which is
             you can choose from a range of   The German brand has fitted   It’s a good, lively engine that   decent value for what is a very
             advanced safety features that you   three-door versions with seats on   makes driving fun, if not especially   complete supermini. Definitely one
             rarely see on this class of car. VW   which the backrests are hinged so   quick. A well-weighted clutch,   for the short list.



















































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         NW February 2017 Master Pages.indd   37                                                                   19/01/2017   14:36
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