Simplified line-up, Ride and Handling, quality finish
Trendline front passenger seat too high, no sat nav in the range
Volkswagen Australia has launched the new 2014 Volkswagen Polo in Brisbane this week with a drive-away price on the entry-level car of just $15,990. The Volkswagen has been a sales success for the Germany company worldwide, so you could forgive them for not wanting to change the winning formula too much.
The exterior changes may be limited to new bumpers and a repositioning of the daytime running lights, it’s underneath where the engineers have spent the majority time. For the first time the Volkswagen Polo is now on the MBQ platform and it delivers a winning platform for the small Polo
Volkswagen Polo Overview
As part of its new philosophy Volkswagen Australia are making its model line-ups simpler for buyers. With the new simpler line-up it is a choice of two’s. The new Polo has choice of two trim level, two engine, two transmissions and two option packs.
Cheapest in the range is the 66TSI Trendline matched to a five speed manual or seven DSG transmission and ships with 15” steel wheels as standard. Inside you get the usual host of goodies like cruise control, Bluetooth, air conditioning, five-inch colour display, six speakers, a CD drive (including MP3/WMA function), SD card, auxiliary input socket and USB, electric windows, central locking, double cargo floor, cargo area cover, height-adjustable driver’s seat, driver’s and passenger’s vanity mirrors.
Moving up to the Comfortline you have the same transmission options but over above the Trendline you get 15” “Estrada” alloy wheels, heated mirrors, height adjustable passengers seat, aluminum trim highlights, multifunction steering wheel and climate control.
The Comfortline is the only model you can add the Driver Comfort or Sports Package to.
Volkswagen Polo Pricing and Line-up
Model
Polo 66TSI Trendline 5 speed manual $16,290 (Launch Special $15,990 drive away)
Polo 66TSI Trendline 7 speed DSG $18,790
Polo 81TSI Comfortline 6 speed manual $18,290
Polo 81TSI Comfortline 7 speed DSG $20,790
Options
Driver Comfort Package – Comfortline $1,500
Sport Package – Comfortline $1,500
Volkswagen Polo Engine
The Polo is offered with two engines a 66kW and 88kW four-cylinder turbo direct injection petrol engine that comes with Stop/ Start technology as standard. The smaller of the two engines produced 66kW at 4,400-5,400 rpm and 160Nm at 1400 rpm. Volkswagen claim the fuel consumption on the combined cycle is only 4.8L per 100kms for both the manual and DSG transmissions, this equates to a 21% improvement over the outgoing entry model Polo
The 81kw engine which is matched exclusive to the Comfortline and produces its power at 4,600-5,600 rpm its maximum toque is 175Nm at 1,400-4,000 rpm. When matched to the DSG transmission fuel consumption is 4.8 l/100 km and is only slightly higher on the manual at 4.9l per 100kms
Volkswagen Polo Exterior
The team reasonable for the exterior of the Polo didn’t really have a lot to do. Only the Polo aficionado's will pick up the slight changes made to the bumpers that have additional chrome inserts on front and rear to make the Polo look wider.
From the side profile the only major change from the previous model is the new wheel designs. The Volkswagen Polo is available in 6 colours three of which are new, “Pure White”, “Sunset Red Metallic” and “Corn Flower Blue”, the existing colours are “Deep Black Pearl Effect”, “Reflex Silver Metallic” and “Pepper Grey Metallic”.
Volkswagen Polo Interior
Just like every modern Volkswagen we have been in the Polo oozes quality. Jumping in the Polo you could be jumping behind the wheel of any of the cars in its range, the Polo is not cheap and tacky just because it’s a small car.
Volkswagen have worked hard to deliver a premium feeling interior that can easily lay claim to being class leading. Supportive seats, loads of room (for a small car) and all the gadget you could ask for.
The entry level Trendline has an interior that you could call basic premium there is no multi function steering wheel or no trip computer but the fit, finish and materials are all top notch. The Comfortline gains the trinkets that the Trendline misses out on and real steps up the premium feel.
Volkswagen Polo On The Road
Normally when you jump behind the wheel of the a small car you glad to get out after one hour to stretch you back and get the feeling back in your legs - not the Volkswagen Polo. On our drive around Brisbane and Sunshine Coast the little Polo just ate up the kilometers and could just keep going.
The entry level Polo with 66TSI engine and 15” Steel wheels is amazingly good, it rides over bumps and is actually the smoothest out of the models we were able to test. The other model we drove was the 88TSI Comfortline with optional Sport Package, the firmer suspension and larger alloy wheels made for a much firmer and harsher ride than our entry-level car.
Volkswagen Polo Issues
The Polo is a great little car but isn’t perfect. Unfortunately there is no satellite navigation available at all, drivers will need to stream direction from their smartphone via a Bluetooth connection.
Another little oversight is the Hill Hold Assist doesn’t work with the start/stop technology, the engine needs to be running for the hold to take place.
Volkswagen Polo Competition
The new drive-away entry price for the Volkswagen Polo has put the cat amongst the pigeons. Shopping in this segment you could buy the new Honda Jazz or the excellent Kia Rio.
Mazda is set to launch the all-new Mazda2 later this year and by all reports it’s a cracker. The Hyundai i20 is on its last legs, the all-new and improved model is expected arrive in Australia early next year.
Volkswagen Polo Verdict
The Volkswagen Polo has set the bar extremely high for its competitors to follow, it has first class interior and the ride and handling has not been seen at this price point before.
The transition to the MQB platform has allowed the team at Volkswagen to deliver a class leading small car with a class leading price. Topping of this remarkable package is the availability of safety systems that only a few years ago would have only been available in large German sedans.
If you are in the market for a small car then you need to test drive the latest Polo, we believe that you will not be disappointed.
