Road test report ----------- November 2009 ----- by Kevin Fenix.

Volkswagen Polo 1.2

The test car was equipped to Comfortline specifications and had two items of optional extra equipment fitted - alloy wheels and a folding central armrest between the two front seats. It is in a very competitive and price sensitive segment of the market. It will obviously be highly attractive to single young people, as well as to young couples. When you start to compare statistics, you have to remember that, it is not so much what it can do, as the manner in which it does it, that can make all the difference. Let me give you an example. Looking at its top speed, 165 kph (102 mph) and 0-100 kph acceleration in 14.1 seconds, it would appear to be distinctly dull and lacking in performance, compared to many rivals in the same segment and price category.
Let us look a little bit closer at those two figures. While a top speed just above 160 kph (100 mph), may look very staid, it is still well above the legal maximum, even on motorways, where the traffic may be very light. Thus you are not going to be able to legally travel at that speed anyway, let alone a higher one.
In a stop lights grand prix, acceleration is obviously a very important matter, and unlike that top speed, something you are going to use on a daily basis. Knowing that you have less velocity at your disposal, than most other cars around you, only serves to make the driving all that more exciting. You have to remain alert and use what you have to the full. When that red turns to green, far too many city drivers, can’t remember where they left the gearlever, or start a mental debate to decide if it is actually the right shade of green, or something similarly infuriating, so if you are alert you can leave them in your dust, even if you have less performance at your disposal.

The Polo’s little three cylinder engine is practically silent up to around the 2,000 rpm mark, after which it becomes increasingly audible as it heads up to 4,000 rpm and beyond. That is a feature of three cylinder engines, but it also sends the adrenaline rushing through your veins, which only makes the driving experience all the more exciting.
On the other hand when you are just crawling along in suburban traffic, you can change up to third reasonably quickly, thanks to its precise and silky smooth gearchange, keeping everything silent and restful, whilst extracting a very satisfactory high mileage from each litre (gallon) of fuel. If you are lucky with the traffic, you may even be able to get it into fifth gear ! On the urban cycle it has been measured to give a very creditable 38 mpg (7.3 lt/100 km), while if you can find a decent open road, something that is almost impossible here in Ireland, it has been measured at an appealing 62 mpg (4.5 lt/100 km). Remember this is a petrol engine, not a diesel. Taken together on the official testing standards, these give an overall average of 51 mpg (5.5 lt/100 km) on the combined cycle. While you will probably never get that here in Ireland, as Irish roads and conditions are far below most European standards, it is an indication of what the Polo is capable of when the authorities provide civilised standards for their motorists. About the only advantage you can avail of, thanks to those European standards, is the exhaust emissions, officially measured at 128 gm/km, putting the Polo 1.2 petrol comfortably into Irish road tax band B, with an annual rip-off of 156 euro, at present rates.
Personally I very much like the refined,, well balanced, conservative yet modern styling of the Polo. One of its major competitors, which up until very recently had the same sort of conservative exterior styling, replaced it with a far more funky type of styling. Younger people may prefer that funky styling, but that rival’s build quality left an awful lot to be desired. The Polo on the other hand had the marvellous feel of well built, refined quality in everything you could see and touch.
The seats are comfortable and supportive, the steering wheel has a good feel and the steering itself is nicely precise and direct. It is geared to give just a shade under three turns from lock to lock, which is up in the comfort zone, yet it still offers that direct feel, driving enthusiasts like. The instruments and driving controls are simple to use and well laid out, making them easy to see and reach. The steering adjusts for reach and height, there are four electric windows and electrically adjustable exterior rear view mirrors.

The rectangular digital panel between the two main analogue dials, under the curved hood has large white lettering showing the time, outside air temperature, trip distance, total distance and the fuel level. Between the two air vents and the audio equipment in the centre console, there is a switch for the heated rear window and the hazard warning flashers, plus a warning light to indicate when the front passenger airbag has been deactivated. Below the audio the three round switches control, from left to right, temperature, distribution fan speed, with buttons for recirculation and switching the air conditioning off, plus a distribution selector - feet hands, face, windscreen etc. A circular switch over on the right of the facia, controls the lights, which include the front and rear fog lamps. Daytime running lights are fitted as standard.

Sitting into the front seats, the car seems to be sufficiently spacious and comfortable. However, being a small car, the rear bench seat is really only suitable for two adults sitting side by side. Three children should have no difficulty, provided they are not well developed teenagers, when shoulder room may become a difficulty. The two outer places are provided with ISOfix fittings for child safety seats. All five seats are provided with adjustable head restraints and lap and shoulder seat belts.

Both the rear seat backrest and the cushion is divided 60/40, to facilitate the carrying of passengers and awkward items of luggage. This is a very important aspect for any family car. Depending on the item in question, you can either drop the backrest onto the seat cushion, or you can first lift the cushion into a vertical position behind the front, seat, before dropping the backrest into the space thus liberated. Then to add even more variety, the luggage boot has a removable floor, allowing it to be set in two levels. For a level floor from the rear to the back of the front seats, it needs to be set in its upper position.

Above left : Maximum luggage space, adjustable floor removed
Above right : Luggage space with removable floor in upper position
Below : Rear seats folded flat, luggage floor in upper position

If you are lifting the rear seat cushions, the easiest way to lower the seat backrests is to use the button on the top outer corner of each backrest. However, if you are at the rear, loading the boot and do not need to lift the cushion, then a release catch on either side of the boot, allows you to drop the backrest by a press of the catch.

Above left : Normal luggage space with adjustable floor removed
Above right : Luggage space with adjustable floor in upper position

A full size spare wheel and tyre is provided, although as the test car had the optional alloy wheels fitted, the steel spare wheel is of a one inch smaller diameter, than the alloy rims.
The Polo uses a MacPherson strut design suspension at the front, with a torsion beam at the rear. It gives a comfortable, well controlled ride. The car handles and manoeuvres easily. Overall it is a pleasure to drive and if you are enthusiastic and use the engine revs to the full, it is a most satisfying experience all round.
If I have a concern, it is the amount of rust I discovered on the front and rear hubs, once the wheels were removed. This, no doubt, is a result of all the rain we have had this year and the flooded roads this causes.

Above left : Ventilated front disc and hub assembly
Above right : Painted rear drum (grey) with rusty wheel contact patch



Technical data