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Marton Pettendy21 Aug 2014
REVIEW

Volkswagen Polo 2014 Review

German giant goes for the jugular with cheaper, smarter, higher-tech Polo

Volkswagen Polo 66TSI Trendline and 81TSI Comfortline
Launch Review
Brisbane, Australia

It may be stating the obvious, but cars have come a long way in the past two decades -- perhaps none more so than in the light-car segment, where vast advances have been made by most models since evil-handling, poorly equipped and downright dingy econoboxes like the Hyundai Excel and Ford Festiva littered our roads. Take the Volkswagen Polo for example, which right now sets new benchmarks for design and build quality, dynamics, safety and efficiency in the pint-size vehicle class, bringing the luxury car technology and refinement to the masses for less money than ever before.

When a vehicle as accomplished as the Polo is so far ahead of its rivals in so many measurable attributes, it's difficult to review objectively without drawing claims of bias or maybe even corruption.

So let's start with the negatives, because while this comprehensive midlife upgrade brings Volkswagen's smallest model one step closer, it still isn't perfect.

First, the slimmed-down 2014 Polo line-up now comprises just two models, with two different equipment grades and two versions of the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four offered in the previous mid-range 77TSI, offering both less (66kW/160Nm) and more (81kW/175Nm) performance – on a recommended diet of expensive 95 RON PULP.

The facelifted Polo GTI isn't due here until next year, there's no longer a diesel option, and no sign of the LED headlights or two-stage Sport Select variable suspension damping now offered in Europe, where there's also a new 1.4-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel.

And there's certainly no BlueMotion variants, let alone BlueGT and CrossPolo derivatives of VW's second-biggest seller globally.

Unlike some of its competitors, the base Polo rides on steel wheels with crook plastic wheel caps, and comes with only a five-speed manual and no trip computer, centre armrest, digital speedo nor the host of new advanced safety aids available (for a further $1500) on the high-spec variant.

Driver aids like lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not available on any model and nor, perhaps most surprisingly, is satellite-navigation (Volkswagen says most people use their phones to navigate these days).

And while the upgraded Polo might be on offer for a new low price of just $15,990 drive-away, that's an introductory offer that applies only for the first three months or while stocks last, and only to the entry-level manual. For the vast majority of buyers, the automatic version will cost a sizeable $2500 extra.

Oh, and there are still some hard plastics in the Polo cabin (on the updated door trims), which remains overbearingly dark and – like its exterior -- perhaps a little Teutonic for some.

But at least until the new Mazda2 arrives, the Polo sets a new standard for interior design, materials quality and finish for a car under $20,000, not to mention ergonomics and, now, multimedia.

All Polos come with a classy soft-touch dash, solid-feeling and tactile controls, good front headroom and a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustment that should make everyone feel comfortable, even if the rear seat and the 280-litre boot offer only average levels of space.

All Polos also continue to come with handy features like remote window opening/closing, four auto up/down power windows, internal headlight range adjustment, a chillable glovebox, variable-height luggage floor, heated wing mirrors, programmable two-stage unlocking, driver's seat height adjustment, 12-year corrosion warranty and a wide range of paint and accessory options as listed here.

And all Polos now come with a sporty three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel and a class-leading 5.0-inch colour touch-screen infotainment system with AM/FM/CD/SD/MP3/WMA compatibility, six speakers, USB input and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, all of which works seamlessly.

There's also fresh instrument graphics, a new centre console, new climate controls, revised air-vents and cruise control at base level, complimenting the exterior's new headlights, new grille, front bumper with larger openings and relocated daytime running lights, and new LED turn indicators in the wing mirrors.

The five-year-old Mk5 Polo is also safer than ever at standard, thanks to a segment-first automatic post-collision braking system, plus six airbags including full-length curtains, traction/stability control, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, front seatbelt pretensioners and height adjustment, five three-point seatbelts and a rear fog light.

But there are more significant changes under bonnet, where the Golf's lighter and more compact new electromechanical power steering system removes some of the outgoing Polo's steering lightness.

The new speed- and input-sensitive electric steering feels firmer and more direct around centre, yet remains as accurate as the previous Polo's tiller, which was already among the best in class, and free from any road-induced rattle or kickback.

Combined with a taut chassis and sporty suspension that somehow keeps body roll well in check while delivering impeccable ride quality over all road surfaces, and the Polo displayed class-leading dynamics over the 250km rural Queensland press launch loop.

Sure, the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 (and the much more expensive Citroen DS3 and closely-related Audi A1) ride and handle with aplomb, but both come with French flaws and, model for model, come with either less performance or a higher pricetag, or both.

While the Polo's 1.2-litre displacement might sound inadequate, VW's diminutive turbo four punches well above its weight, delivering more power and torque than the 1.4-litre engine it replaces at entry level and sounding far peppier to boot.

It does need 2000rpm on board to offer usable acceleration, but even with the base 66TSI Trendline's five-speed manual it spins at 2300rpm at 100km/h, spelling effortless highway overtaking and a wide spread of perky performance to 6500rpm.

Whatever the revs, it remains smooth and refined, playing the perfect partner to a cabin that's even better isolated from road and wind noise.

The 81TSI's higher-output engine feels slightly stronger everywhere, offering more punch from the same engine speeds, negating the need for its six-speed manual, which is welcome nonetheless.

The slick seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto shifts quickly, decisively and smoothly under load with both engines, out-smarting even the six-speed torque converter auto in the next Mazda2, and feels so sporty you wish it came with paddles.

Icing on the cake here is claimed fuel consumption that's just 4.8L/100km for all models except the 81TSI manual (4.9L/100km), which is not far off the discontinued 1.6-litre diesel's figures, thanks in part to idle-stop and regenerative braking functions.

We averaged 6.5L/100km and didn't spare the horses, so real-world economy shouldn't be too far from those class-leading figures.

The more powerful Polo's richer Comfortline spec (which costs $18,290 manual and $20,290 auto, plus ORCs – $950 less than before) definitely lifts the Polo's appeal both inside and out.

Apart from alloy wheels (still 15-inch) and chromed front bumper highlights, there's the Golf's cool leather-clad flat-bottom steering wheel with piano-black and brushed aluminium inserts and audio/phone/trip controls, 'Comfort' cloth trim, digital climate-control, a leather-clad gearshifter and handbrake, trip computer, height-adjustable front centre armrest with storage, front passenger seat height adjustment and reading light, illuminated front vanity lights, front seatback pockets and chromed interior highlights.

Lifting its game further still are two new $1500 option packs for the top-shelf 81TSI, including a 'Sport' pack comprising 17x7.0-inch 'Mirabeau' alloys with 215/40 R17 tyres, lower sports suspension, front fog lights with cornering function, tinted rear/side windows and tyre pressure monitoring.

Then there's the 'Driving Comfort' pack, bringing high-tech aids like adaptive radar cruise control, front assist (above 30km/h) with city emergency brake (below 30km/h), driver fatigue detection (above 65km/h) and, at last, a reversing camera with static guidance.

That's in addition to climate-control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, coming/leaving home function, tyre pressure monitoring and automatic headlights and wipers, making it $1500 well spent.

Volkswagen says the options take-up on its base Polo models has traditionally been less than five per cent, so sadly this tech pack isn't available on the entry-level 66TSI, which for the moment undercuts some Korean cars at under $16,000 on the road.

But even when it reverts to $16,290 plus on-road costs ($18,790 for the DSG – also $700 less than before), the cheapest version of this comprehensively upgraded new Polo offers better value than ever.

It might not challenge the new Mazda2 or next month's facelifted Toyota for popularity, but it will embarrass the carryover mechanicals of the latter and, at least until the former arrives in late October, sets new class benchmarks for safety, connectivity, luxury, dynamics and refinement.

No, the Polo isn't perfect, but it's as close as it gets for under $20,000.

2014 VW Polo pricing and specifications:
Price: From $15,990 drive-away (introductory offer)
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 66kW/160Nm and 81kW/175Nm
Transmission: five- and six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 4.8L/100km and 4.9L/100km (81TSI manual), ADR Combined
CO2: 109g/km (66TSI manual) and 113g/km (81TSI), ADR Combined
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

What we liked:
>> Lower pricing
>> Safety and infotainment tech
>> Still the dynamic benchmark

Not so much:
>> No sat-nav
>> Advanced safety tech unavailable on base model
>> Europe's LED headlights and variable damping AWOL

Also consider:
>> Mazda Mazda2
>> Ford Fiesta
>> Suzuki Swift

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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
87/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
18/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
18/20
Safety & Technology
16/20
Behind the Wheel
18/20
X-Factor
17/20
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