Volkswagen Polo consumer car reviews and road tests

Volkswagen Polo 1.2T.S I. 5 DOOR SEL 2011

Purchased new March 2011 and no problems at all. Used every day. Plenty of power from 1.2 turbo with more bhp than my previous 1.6 Polo sport. 45-50 mpg on a good run, cruises effortlessness in 6th gear with just over 2000rpm at 75 mph.

Volkswagen Polo 2005

I have my polo 4 years now and have had nothing but trouble. The head gasket went, water pump, bushes, and that’s just 3 things. Every time I get something fixed something else breaks then! My advice is stay well away from the Polo, well the 05 1s anyway! The worst car ever!

Volkswagen Polo Variant: 1.2 s (60) 2011

Comfortable, spacious, easy to drive. But so disappointed now as at only 18 months old, being owned by me for 6 months, it has broken down (not started) three times in four months due to fuel/fuel pump problems. Being fixed under warranty but I’m not confident of it being fully solved. I will probably get rid.

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 85PS 2011

This was a hire car for 2 weeks with 22K Kilometres on the clock. Initial impressions were good with a solid build and large interior with it feeling like a larger car; but take care, this car is wide. Cruising at 100kph was nice, a good ride and quiet but any higher it gets noisy. Round town was OK, but show this car a hill and OMG there’s no power, the gear indicator being useless plus overall mpg being 39 - not good for a small hatchback. Other bugbears were very awkward 1/3/Rev gear selection, noisy engine when cold, vibrating brakes, a handbrake that didn’t hold, a radio that fell to pieces and handling that over undulating surfaces felt very dangerous. Judging the rear end is almost impossible. Another danger is the low rear view mirror as it obscures your view forward. Overall not recommended. Shame! as I was wanting to like this car.

Volkswagen Polo 1.6 c/line 2011

The aircon is noisy, it pulls to the left and the brakes shudder!

Volkswagen Polo 1.8i classic 1999

My best car to date. After doing 285000km there’s no lack of performance and fuel consumption is 14.8km/l on average 135km/h.

Responses to this review

I have to agree with you. I own a 1997 Polo Classic 1.6i with 1.8 clutch & flywheel. I’m currently doing 316,000kms and performance is still brilliant - Kyle from South Africa

Volkswagen Polo 1999

I’ve just bought this car. With the cold weather and a cold engine the battery indicator starts to flash and the engine dies off after I push in the fuel paddle in neutral. When the car has heated up the problem does not show up again. It is very cold now in the place where I live about 2ºC.

Responses to this review

Try cleaning or changing your distributor cap but make sure you put it back on in the same order it comes off - Tom Ryan from Kent

Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion 2010

I bought my Bluemotion because of its good looks, build quality and claimed economy figures. Having driven it for a year it has not disappointed on the first 2 counts, but the economy is nowhere near the claimed combined 88mpg. The consumption did improve after the first 5000 miles, but I typically return 67mpg on a motorway run and 55mpg on an urban type cycle. I since realised that most manufacturers economy figures are based on the most unrealistic European test standards and are not worth the paper they are written on. I drive around 20,000 miles per year and have been really impressed and surprised with the Polo’s cruising capability. Due to the high gearing it is reasonably quiet and very comfortable on long runs. The car does need to be kept in the 2200 to 3500 rev band to keep it moving along in the city and despite reports of its sluggish performance it does manage to keep up with traffic and can be fun to drive at the expense of ignoring the gear change indicator, which is pretty useless and does not account for the cars load or if its going up or down hill. If I could improve anything on this car it would be the headlights, which are very near useless on the Bluemotion when driving on unlit country roads. The new Polo range has 3 headlight variations with 4 different bulb configurations so ensure that you test drive the actual model you want to buy in darkness to check them out yourself. I also switched the tyre repair kit for a full sized spare (again sacrificing some economy) over been stranded with a serious puncture in the middle of nowhere. I have also found that the electric cooling fan seems to go through periods where it will be constantly running and then it settles down for a few weeks. The dealer could not find any fault, but seems efficient and courteous. Finally the horn on this model is feeble and no good on a motorway to let a truck know he is pulling out on you. Overall its a great little car with just a few niggles that would not matter if you just want to use it for the school and shopping run.

Volkswagen Polo SEL 2010

Any potential purchasers of a Polo with the 7 speed DSG gearbox should be aware that the gearbox is excessively noisy. VW classify this noise as a "characteristic". I classify it as irritating even after following their advice to "turn the radio up".

Volkswagen Polo 14i 2002

I have owned a Passatt 1.8 Sport Estate for 8 years. It’s great, still drives like new. It’s covered 175,000 miles. However the Polo is a different story, it’s done 50k and drives like a much cheaper car and is not to the usual excellent VW standard. The Engine sounds like a diesel on low revs and I’ve had to replace a long expensive list of parts. In my humble opinion it does not seem like a VW.

Responses to this review

Obviously you’ve bought a Monday car. My Polo classic 16 has 172,000km on the clock and goes like a dream. This little car has impressed me no end! It is willing, able, drives like it was built for the driver. Passengers and luggage have ample (more than ample) room and the fuel economy is exceptional. Some people just like to bitch! I have owned a 1970-something Passat Auto which was just as wonderful. Go VW Go! - Brian Green from South Africa

Volkswagen Polo 1.2TSi SE 2010

A fine car blighted by annoying "B" pillar clunking and load vibration from the air conditioning pipes when the engine’s under load. Both these problems have eventually been fixed by the main agent. It is now 13 months old with over 7,000 gentle miles on the clock and I’ve been told a new turbo is required. Not very confidence inspiring.

Volkswagen Polo 1.6 75PS diesel 2010

Bluntly, the worst car I have ever owned, and my past ownership includes an Austin Allegro! I only gave it a "1" becuase I couldn’t give it "0"! I bought this car in February 2010 and took delivery in May 2010. The car never got near to its stated fuel consumption of 65.7 MPG (combined), typically it returned between low 30s and low 40s when driven in mixed motoring (dual carriageway "A" roads and a small component of urban). As fuel economy was a central reason for my purchase decision, this was a "big deal". The car also suffered 3 sensor failures, and spent 2 months at the main dealer out of the last 4 months of ownership with faults and for repeated attempts at rectification of poor fuel consumption. Added to all that, I discovered that the bottom of the rear seat had no trim fitted. When the car was being used for carrying "stuff", you could see an expanse of cream foam with factory idents stamped on it. When I flagged this as a defect; I was shown a car in the main dealer showroom that looked identical. In short, it seems VW is now shipping cars in this condition by design. So much for the "superior" VW trim! With respect to post sales support, I found VW UK unhelpful in the extreme. The dealership was glacially slow (nothing they tried took less than a working week) and didn’t seem to know what they were doing. With regard to the ride of the car, I found it harsh and unpleasant over speed ramps and rough roads. I traded this car in at a little over a year old because I was sick to the back teeth of it. Recommendation: Avoid (like the plague)!

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 1998

I had this car a few years ago and it was very reliable and nice, only breakdown I had was a gearbox which is their main weakness. It cost me good money to repair. Very solid to drive, feels like driving a bigger, wider car.

Volkswagen Polo 1.2 S60 2010

The best looking and most comfortable interior of any car at the price. The car also irons out potholes better than an ambulance. The gearchange is so smooth and the clutch so soft you are unaware of them. However, the engine is very noisy and on hills or low gears the car sounds like one of Eddie Stobart’s lorries. I recommend constant muzak or ear plugs. The 1.2 engine is far too small for the overgrown body and struggles in hilly areas. The car is quiet on motorways and long distances can be covered without fatigue. This is a hard to love car if you want " Performance," perhaps investigate the 1.4 engine for more guts. I’m getting rid but I’ll miss the beautiful interior.

Volkswagen Polo CL COUPE 1993

I bought the car in 1994 with 15000 miles on the clock. It has cost me a couple of new exhausts. A few sets of tyres,( normal wear and tear). two new batteries, and three springs. One set of back brakes, one set of front discs and two sets of front pads. New fuel tank, wiper blades etc. THAT’S OVER 17 YEARS. It’s a 1300 and is quite nippy on the country roads and too easy to break the law on the motorways!! It gets a yearly oil change but never uses oil and gets a good clean up and polish now and again- especially for the MOT. It has failed twice , due to me not spotting a broken front spring, and then two years later the same spring!!! I have had a few rusty holes in the sills repaired, touched up rust on the doors and damage done with stone chips. It is getting to be one of the oldest cars in West Yorkshire and looooong in the tooth ?? But it is 99.9% reliable, always starts even in the very cold winters we have had in the last few years and despite it sitting out in the open. I have been looking at the new Polos but I’m not convinced with 3 cylinder engines and thin timing chains. Still looking into them. Besides, my old car is easy to service and repair. I know it doesn’t have central locking, heated wing mirrors, electric windows, power steering, a light in the boot, ABS brakes etc, but if you haven’t got them, they can’t go wrong!!!! I will keep looking at the new models but I’m certainly not in a hurry to spend £12000+ on a new one.

Responses to this review

Hi, I have a Polo Catalyst 1992. Do you know the running costs of this car as I’m looking for another car and not sure if it’s worth swapping - Denise Reeves from Leicestershire

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Sport 100bhp 2003

I’ve had a very funny relationship with my beloved polo. I adore it, but it hates me. I have easily spent over £2,000 on repairs in the last two years on a new gear box, clutch, drive shaft, front suspension, countless coil packs, cambelt, and what feels like 1 million litres of oil (oh it drinks oil like I drink beer!) So it’s in the garage, a lot, it might just be mine, but I have read a lot of forums about faults with Polos of this age, especially warning light problems and issues with the EPC, so be careful! However, when it’s running, it is a joy. It’s fast, holds the road like glue, is comfortable on long journeys, easy to park, has a fantastic stereo and feels altogether very solid (probably because underneath mines brand new!). The cabin feels very spacious and the fabrics and plastics do not feel as cheap as other small cars. In all, it’s an epic little car when it wants to be. If you go for the sport, make sure the owner list isn’t too long like mine, who knows how they have driven the thing!

Volkswagen Polo 1.4TDI S 2007

My previous car was a a big VW Golf Plus 1.6 FSI , which was very comfortable and I thought fast, but the tax was going up rapidly to nearly £200 a year, until I exchanged it for the smaller Polo (downsizing). I have saved money already, even the tax is only £35 a year because it’s the 1.4TDI (S version with no extras), which is still relatively rare in these parts of the country. I was totally surprised at the acceleration of this tiny diesel power unit, much sprintier than the Golf Plus petrol. Although a smaller car, it is still comfortable and can sit at the wheel for almost 2 hours without feeling tired or sore. If I sit at 60mph, the fuel needle hardly moves and could probably do about 500 miles on a full tank at that speed. I would recommend the 1.4TDI, if you can source one. I found from the service dealer that there are two service intervals, 10,000 and 15,000, they say it’s got to do with your driving habits.

Volkswagen Polo SE 1.2 70 PS Manual 5 Door 2010

Volkswagen’s new Polo with the 70PS 1.2 litre three cylinder engine is one of the few small cars that doesn’t make you hunger for big engined poke and refinement. While far from being the hottest of small hatchbacks, it makes big speed figures seem supernumerary - so complete is its performance in other areas. Getting into a Polo is always to be reminded of what a finely honed piece of work it is. Shut the door and experience that nicely weighted ’thunk’; examine the quality fabrics and plastics; experience the damped action of the controls: it all inspires confidence. And with plenty of room, excellent visibility plus that cohesive air of understatement, a maturity and pragmatism is brought to small car motoring. High fashion has not subverted basic function here so it’s no surprise that all its winning features led to the Polo being voted ’Car of The Year’ in 2010. Now, thirty four years on and in its fifth generation, it is more technically advanced than ever - and it’s bigger too, bearing strong resemblance to the sixth generation Golf and clearly appearing to be one of the new Volkswagen family. But it’s also lighter than the previous model: and that has contributed to improved economy and lower emissions. I’ve rated the Polo for years; and still do - even though the competition has grown significantly tougher. It’s one of those small cars that fits easily and comfortably into today’s motoring picture, however strenuous and constrained life on the road becomes. Available with a choice from petrol or diesel engines and with three or five doors, in four trim levels and with prices ranging from £9,995 for the 1.2 litre 3 door S, to a frightening £19,410 for the 5 door 1.4 litre GTI with the renowned DSG gearbox, there’s a Polo to suit just about everyone who wants a car in that segment. The well specified SE five-door model tested, with the 1.2 70PS three-cylinder engine was high on comfort, convenience and safety - but initially I had reservations about that small engine. Frugal with the fuel it surely is at nearly 52mpg overall, but a top speed of just 103 mph and that ridiculously irrelevant 0-62 mph time of many seconds, paints a picture of lethargy. I’m pleased to be able to report that it is far from lethargic. That sense of integrity and solidity mentioned earlier is detectable on the road too. The Polo feels like a car you can trust making for relaxed driving. Light controls, a good driving position, an engine and slick gearbox that gel perfectly, plus responsive and secure handling make it stable and surefooted and a rewarding car to drive quickly. ’Quickly?’ I hear you ask. Well, I’m pleased to be able to report that 80 mph on a motorway is effortless. There’s some gruffness under hard acceleration, but when you throttle back to steady cruising all is quiet and refined. With the new Polo, aspects, which left room for improvement, have been addressed with intent. The choice of priorities has been astute and that splendid Polo character has, thankfully, continued intact.

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic 2000

The polo 2000 1.4 engine Automatic gear box has been nothing but problems from day one when I bought it new. The service in Greece is unreliable and the company overlooked my problems from the first day bought. All in all I paid double what this car is worth in repairs alone. It is loud although yes reliable and safe but just not worth the trouble. It is a complicated little car!

Volkswagen Polo 1.2 SE 2010

Purchased the Polo and whilst I think most of the car is superb, I hate owning it because of the HORRENDOUS vibration/rattle that comes from the steering column whenever you turn the steering wheel when driving over uneven ground. I have invoke the Sale of Goods Act with VW UK who said they are aware of the problem, but not enough people complaining about it for there to be ’fix’ invoked. I know a few people who were aware about it and are now in the process of taking it to their dealership. I have had 2 x steering columns replaced under warranty to try and rectify this, but no joy :-( Such a shame as its a great wee car apart from this terrible noise.

Volkswagen Polo 2010

I love this car, but it is too complicated for the road side mechanic!

Volkswagen Polo Diesel 2009

Diesel version has no go and sounds like a tractor!

Volkswagen Polo SE 1.4 DSG 2009

I bought the SE 1.4 5door model with the new 7speed DSG (twin clutch) gearbox and am generally happy with the car. The car has a very grown up feel to it and is very Audi like in the interior. with very good quality black upholstery and dashboard. The equipment level on the SE model is comprehensive, lacking only a few of the more upmarket models features such as air con instead of climate control and lacking the multi function trip computer and steering wheel controls for the audio system. The supplied audio system is, however. very good quality soundwise, albeit with a vivid blue display, which is at odds with the crisp white speedo/ tacho dials and the very professional looking red illumination for the dash switchgear. Several people have commented on the fact that they thought the car was a Golf until they say the badging on the tailgate, which I suppose is no bad thing, given the Golf’s popularity. All models in the range benefit from a neat little false floor in the boot and SE models and above have a sliding drawer under each front seat, very good for hiding all the clutter. Now to the not so good, The 7 speed DSG gearbox, whilst it does propel the 1.4 litre car along at a fairly brisk rate, shifts quickly and without any lag, except when pulling away from a standstill. This can be quite disconcerting when trying to emerge onto a busy roundabout for instance. I will address this problem at dealer level at the 1st service as it is not a major problem (yet). The gearbox has a choice of manual shift, automatic and sports automatic. Of these options most people will probably play with the manual ’tiptronic’ mode for a while before the novelty wears off, and then revert to the automatic side of the ’box. The automatic sport mode is possibly the most interesting as it allows shifts at a much higher rev rate and also changes down through the gears when slowing down (all very Maserati like !).On the move the car is quiet, rides well and handles poor road surfaces with ease. The car does feel, somehow, faster than the figures would lead you to believe, and when pressed the engine sounds subtly sporty. All in all a very well developed little car that thinks it’s a big car!

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 SEL AC 2009

I recently visited my local dealership and I’m not at all impressed with the new Polo!! It’s not very nice looking and the cabin is so uninspiring to look at and sit in, it’s just so drab and boring. Theres a big gap lower down the dash where something should of been but they left it, leaving it a bit bland looking. Even out on the road I struggled to find something that I actually liked, the seats are very hard and un-supportive and the engine isnt exactly powerfull, also the suspension is quite stiff and the car overall has a very jiggly ride. I wont be purchasing the Polo but I have narrowed down my list to the Ibiza, 207 and Clio, So far the 207 is my favourite but it the most expensive and has the best equipment levels. The Ibiza is exactly the Polo only its got the good looks and a tempting price tag, the clio is very comfortable and is as nice to drive as the Peugeot but I have heard alot of bad reports about it. I’m pretty much stuck!!

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 3dr hatchback 1998

I love this car, it has never needed any work doing on it and passes its MoT every year even though it doesn’t get a regular service. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a small car.

Volkswagen Polo Match 1.4 TDi 2009

Great looking little car with 15 inch alloys and colour coded bumpers. The car comes with all the toys and a comfortable driving position. One problem I have found with the 5 door is that being 6ft 3 the centre pillar can dig into your shoulder. On the road the car handles really well and the ride is as good a car from the next class up and is very refined. The 1.4, 3 cylinder diesel which puts out 70bhp is never going to set your pants on fire but is very torquey and pulls like a train from nothing. The car will cruise all day at 80mph on the motorway at just under 3000rpm and still give you nearly 50mpg! Overall, a great little car and after 13,000 miles since bought new in February it has proved very reliable. The only problems we’ve had are the seatbelt not retuning properly and a intermitant fault wih the cd multichanger making a noise like a helicopter.

Volkswagen Polo Match Silver 1.4 MPI 2001

Excellent car, looks more classy than the other lower class cars such as Corsa etc. Plush car for a cheap price, absolutely fabulous. German cars are the best and I don’t know why people buy Renualt Clio / Vauxhall Corsa / Fiat Punto’s etc - they are just cheap compared to the Polo.

Volkswagen Polo Twist 2004

I really loved my car until it started giving me problems and only got rid of it recently. I think VW’s servicing and maintenance is too expensive. I had a warning light come on and they said I would need a new EGR and Cat replaced which would cost £900 with my discount. I thought if I do get any more problems it was going to be expensive. Also the VW garage I went too are not very helpful at all and I had to make a complaint in the end. I would only recommend getting a VW if you can afford the servicing as mine would cost in circa £300 to £400 a time. I would go for a Golf not a Polo.

Responses to this review

I have had a 54 Polo Twist for the last five years, which recently also has a engine management warning light always coming on but when it is checked there is nothing wrong with it, apart from that it has been a brilliant little car doing about 500 miles a week. I wouldn’t bother with VW dealers, I have found a local small garage close to where I work where I can drop it off in the morning and pick it up at night, which is a lot cheaper and a friendly service and they appreciate the custom - B Hughes from Flintshire

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 2006

I love my little car. Nippy but not juicy, stylish & well equipped.

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 SE 2006

Good reliable car, comfortable with plenty of room. Now at 41,000 miles, mostly high speed motorway but still achieves well over 40mpg.

Volkswagen Polo 1.2 60 E 2006

Never lets me down, nice to drive, comfortable for driver and passengers, good boot which becomes masive with the back seats are folded down, cheap to run - can’t really ask for much more from a car can you?

Volkswagen Polo Saloon 1996

This does soak up the bumps and pot holes in the road surprisingly well, I found this car to be remarkable on fuel and cheap to insure but the handling is the only point of the car that lets it down but otherwise is a good all round car.

Volkswagen Polo 1.4SE 2006

Good all round machine; visibility "over shoulder" could be better. Unfortunately, developed cylinder head problems at 15,000 miles (running on three cylinders only). Solid, reliable & dependable but exudes no character when driven! Quite a bland motor.

Volkswagen Polo 2002

Although this is my second polo, i have decided it will be my last, with common engine problems, i would recommend the old model any day but not this one.

Volkswagen Polo 2003

I bought my Polo in 2003 and it has held its value pretty well. Over the past decade the solid build has stood up well to my demanding commute but most importantly its reliability has been as good as I had expected from a Volkswagen. Its interior is roomy and refined and the 1.4 engine is adequate.

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Match 2001

Excellent car. Comfortable, safe, roomy and easy to drive. It’s like a reliable old friend, always there for you.

Volkswagen Polo 102

I like this car, nice ride, very economical, and not bad for a little runaround.

Volkswagen Polo

Surprisingly roomy, reliable car. Economical to run and cheap to insure.