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Mike Sinclair11 Jul 2007
REVIEW

Volkswagen Polo TDI

It might not be the newest 'mini' on the block, but it's still one of the best

Road Test

Model: Volkswagen Polo TDI
Priced from: $22,990
Also consider:
Peugeot 207 XT HDI (more here), Fiat Punto Dynamic (more here) or check out our pre-configured comparator here.

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

Diesel passenger cars have attracted a disproportionate amount of media coverage in the last 18 months. Sure, the number of models that have been launched onto the local market has been substantial, but even after a year of unprecedented distillate growth, in the first six months of 2007 diesel-powered passenger cars accounted for less that 2.5 per cent of the total market.

Put another way, in the first half of 2007, all the brands and all the models of diesel cars combined still do not match the number of Yari (the plural of Yaris) Toyota delivered to new owners.

That doesn't mean we're going to shy away from covering the clattery little buggers. The above is a statement of fact to make it clear that diesels are far from gaining mass market acceptance Down Under.

In Europe, of course, the opposite is true. It is literally only at the ends of the automotive spectrum (size, class and performance) that petrol engines still proliferate. And with cars like the Polo TDI a populous choice, it's very easy to understand why.

Such is the elastic performance of the smallest (and cheapest, methinks) passenger car diesel model on sale Down Under that we wonder why anybody would persevere with petrol. The Polo's 74kW 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine is not the quietest of passenger oilers but it combines a gruff, willful voice with a peppy, revvy feel and a midrange of which some six-cylinder engines would be proud.

VW claims peak torque of 240Nm is available from 1800-2400rpm, but there's real lag-free urge available from around 1400rpm. That translates to the ability to drive around town in third gear and rarely be short of pace. Not that using the manual five-speed box is a chore. Though not the 'snickety-snick' gearbox of a sportscar, it's a pleasing box to use and on par with the best of the Polo's peers.

One of the car's few 'faults' is by virtue of the engine's prodigious midrange urge. Even on damp roads the rich midrange easily spins the inside front wheel out of corners. It raised a smile on almost every occasion but less enthusiastic owners might prefer traction control as standard to tame the trait.

That aside, the Polo's chassis is vice free while the steering has more feel than most cooking model hatches. Perhaps this is because the little VW has an old fashioned almost hard-plastic steering wheel -- there's less padding to damp down the feedback.

Like the wheel, the interior dates back a generation or so and is arguably the only area in which the Polo is showing its age. The checked cloth trim is a Golf/Polo trademark that is probably past its use-by date in all but GTI models, for example.

In the car's defence, at least the interior's well executed. VW's strengths of grain matching, component alignment and consistent build quality are present even in this baseline product.

The Polo is over 300mm shorter than the latest Corolla and around 150mm longer than the Yaris four-door hatch but inside there's good room for four. The impression of space is enhanced by generous headroom and access is good thanks to four wide-opening doors. Under the quite upright rear hatch, there's a small but usable luggage area.

Though the Polo could be considered a cheap turbodiesel, against the full field of contenders it's not a cheap small hatch. Buyers will need to make their own decisions on the VW's relative value against the best petrol light cars like Ford's Fiesta but we'd point out that aside from the powerplant benefits, the TDI's standard equipment and safety inclusions are quite generous.

One gripe is that VW expects you to pay $700 extra for side and curtain airbags -- at $23K plus onroad and dealer deliver (something some VW dealers are somewhat greedy with) these items should be included.

At this stage you're probably expecting the writer to quote you a stupendous fuel economy figure. Alas we have a confession to make -- yours truly returned our test TDI without checking. A cardinal sin! Suffice to say we picked up our TDI without a full tank, covered over 400km and returned it with plenty of diesel left onboard. Not bad for a car with a tank capacity of just 45lt.

 » Get the best price from a Volkswagen dealer

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