Volkswagen Polo (2024): Test, Price, Configuration

The Volkswagen Polo was introduced in 1975 and has always had a special relationship with its older brother, the iconic Golf. The little one always seems to live in the shadow of the latter, even though the Golf was launched a year earlier. But in terms of fame and popularity, the Polo has never matched the Golf. On the other hand, he has been able to grow in the image of his older brother, while others see him as a small Golf. But can you still do this in 2024 with the facelift of the 6th generation Volkswagen Polo?

The exterior design of the top…

For its improvement, the 4.07 m long, 1.75 m wide and 1.45 m high city car received new bumpers and new light blocks with a redesigned light signature. The little German even gets the luxury of an LED strip across the entire width of its grille! An option that comes with LED matrix lights. Details and technology that are usually found in the higher end… like that of its big brother.

…but cheap interior

However, the feeling on board the Polo is far from what you experience in the Golf. Now Lupo, Fox and Up! gone from the range, the Polo has become Volkswagen’s entry-level model – and it shows. There’s a sad feel to the board, with lots of hard plastic. The city car supports this amount with its 8-inch Digital Cockpit, which is now included as standard and can be optionally expanded to 10.25 inches. Located in the center of the dashboard, the basic version of the infotainment system has a diameter of 6.5 inches, but this screen can also grow to 8 inches, or even 9.2 inches if you dig a little deeper into your pockets. But regardless of size, you always have access to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The latest generation Volkswagen Polo has a wheelbase of 2.55 m. The result is an interior that is large enough for four adults and their luggage without much compromise. Even if passengers do not take more than hand luggage with them. The trunk of the city car is 351 liters to 1,125 when you fold the rear seat.

Three small cylinders and one four-cylinder

In 2024 you can still get the Volkswagen Polo with four different engines. At the very bottom of the pyramid we find a small, naturally aspirated 999 cc cylinder, which is always connected to a five-speed manual box. With 59 kW (80 hp), 93 Nm of torque, a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 15.6 seconds and a top speed of 171 km / h, it is clearly not a range-topper, but it is enough. just get from A to B to drive.

The same engine can also have a turbo to increase the power to 70 kW (95 hp) and 175 Nm, while the top speed increases to 188 km / h. 0-100 km/h takes just 10.8 or 11.5 seconds, depending on the gearbox (5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic). The Volkswagen Polo can also rely on a three-cylinder TSI 1.0 with a turbo! This version offers 85 kW (116 hp), 200 Nm, a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.8 seconds, a top speed of 201 km / h and also the option of automatic DSG transmission.

Finally, with all three cylinders, you can also get the Polo as a GTI, with a 2-liter four-cylinder turbo (2.0 TSI) of 152 kW (207 hp) and 320 Nm, as the Golf. The Polo GTI is always equipped with a 7-speed DSG gearbox, which allows the small German hatch to sprint to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and top out at 242 km/h.

It is very flexible as a big!

Although the driving behavior of the Volkswagen Polo GTI deserves to be discussed in a separate article, all three-cylinder engines show the same behavior. Except for the front axle which sometimes loses traction if you handle it too suddenly, the German city car can do anything. Therefore, his playground is not limited to the city or near the church tower. He does not shy away from a difficult combination of corners, even from a long distance on the highway. The Polo is well-rounded, in terms of chassis and sound, and can therefore be used for any job – but it’s not the best either.

Price of Volkswagen Polo 2024

The Volkswagen Polo is available in Belgium from 23,810 euros as the entry-level version of the Polo with a small aspirated 59 kW (80 hp) engine. To enjoy a more powerful engine, you must upgrade to the second level of Life equipment. That will cost you at least 25,955 euros for the version with 95 hp and manual gearbox, 27,670 euros for the same engine with DSG and 29,145 euros to get the TSI 1.0 with more power of 85 kW (116 hp). Finally, the GTI tops the range with a starting price of 37,160 euros. In any case, it’s child’s play to add thousands of euros to the price through the options list, which can even take the German city car to more than 40,000 euros! And then you don’t even have to have a GTI, but only a Volkswagen Polo R-Line! That is an expensive city car…

High judgment

The Volkswagen Polo is more versatile than ever and therefore comfortable in all conditions. Neither city trips, long journeys on the highway or combinations of sports corners in the countryside do not scare him! But while it’s as easy to drive as the Golf, whether it’s from the previous generation, it’s not as refined and polished as the last one. Something that wouldn’t be a problem, if polo wasn’t as expensive as its big brother…