My previous test car was superbly comfortable, larger and with a more sporting performance. It also cost considerably more, which sort of balances out the equation to a degree. It had a softer more luxurious feel to its leather covered steering wheel, which left an abiding favourable impression. This Polo was thus going to have to work hard to make an equally good impression. The Polo had a hard feel to the rim of its leather covered steering wheel, which also made a lasting impression. It thus took me a few days to adjust to the Polo, but by the end of the test, I was utterly convinced of its excellence. While we can all dream about what cars we would like to own, once we won the Lotto, when you have to spend your own money, the criteria becomes far more, demanding.

I can see quite a diverse market for the Polo TDI. First of all there are young single people, who need basic transport, but who also need adaptability and pure driving enjoyment. Then there are young married couples, with large mortgages and with no children or small children. It is equally suitable for married couples with young teenage children, provided there is no more than three of them. Finally it is ideal for older people, whose children have grown up and left home and who perhaps are having to live on a pension. For all of these people, there is one overriding consideration ; Cost and Value for Money ! This Polo TDI provides that in abundance. The recommended retail price is Euro 20,550. The test car was fitted with special alloy wheels which added an addition Euro 1,000 to the price. These wheels looked very attractive, but personally if I had extra money to spend I would have directed it towards the optional seven speed DSG gearbox. Not that there is anything wrong with the existing five speed manual gearbox, but the excellent DSG just makes it all so effortless and relaxing, without in any way detracting from the pure driving pleasure.
Younger people demand performance and the Polo TDI is certainly not lacking in that regard. Potential top speed is 180 kph (111 mph), which is well above the national speed limits in most countries within the European Union. Acceleration from 0-100 kph takes 11.5 seconds, which is again more than satisfactory for daily use, especially in urban and suburban environments. At no stage during the test did I feel there was even the slightest performance deficiency. However, what really is impressive, is its miserly fuel consumption. This is recorded as 55 mpg (5.1 lt/100 km) on the urban cycle, 77 mpg (3.6 lt/100 km) on the extra urban and a highly satisfactory 66 mpg (4.2 lt/100 km) on the combined cycle. This gives exhaust emissions of 109 gm/km, putting the car comfortably in Irish road tax band A, with an annual charge, at present rates, of Euro 104. Now that is good news for everybody, especially if you have mortgages, growing children to be educated or miserly pensions to contend with. This is a stylish, practical, usable, everyday family car, with an excellent range and low running costs, that does not in any way compromise driving pleasure.

Besides all of the above, it comes with an excellent range of standard equipment, so it is most certainly NOT some stripped out austerity package. Included in the standard equipment are front fog lamps, heated, electrically adjustable, exterior rear view mirrors, electric windows front and rear, a leather covered steering wheel, superbly comfortable front seats, with a folding central armrest between them and an excellent air-conditioning system. Regular readers/viewers will know, that all black interiors are not my favourite combination. However, although it had a basically black interior this Polo TDI did not cause me any distress. There are a few annoyances, like the shiny silver trim rings on the ventilation outlets, which reflect in the exterior rear view mirrors in certain lighting conditions, but basically I was quite comfortable with the interior. Especially as everything is well laid out, making it easy to use in comfort whilst driving. The main instrument binnacle houses two large analogue dials for the tachometer and speedometer. They have black faces with white lettering and red needles. Between them is a rectangular digital information panel, that supplies a variety useful and essential information. Examples are the time, outside air temperature, trip and total distance recorders plus other selectable information. Below this is a curved analogue fuel level gauge. The audio is in the centre of the console, below the two air vents, while three circular switches below that control all the functions of the air-conditioning. Over on the extreme right of the facia, also below an air vent, is another circular switch for the lights and foglamps. Close by on the driver’s door pull, there is a small rotary control for the exterior rear view mirrors. It is all so convenient, so easy to see and use, whilst driving. Below the air-conditioning there are two spaces for a cupholder, with a cigarette lighter and a 12v socket. The steering wheel itself adjusts for both reach and height, as do the two front seats, which also have the addition of backrest angle adjustment. Both front seats are well bolstered and comfortable. The rear bench seat is divided 60/40 in both the cushion and the backrest. The two outer cushions are also well bolstered for comfort. An adult sitting in the centre does sit higher and on a harder cushion that the people on either side. When folding the rear seat, there are two options. You can simply lower the backrest onto the cushion, or if you want a level extension to the luggage floor, you first lift the cushions into a vertical position behind the front seats, before dropping the backrests into the place vacated by the cushions.

When all five seats are in use and you load to the lower edge of the windows, below the rear parcels shelf, you have 0.280 cubic metres of space at your disposal. Raise the rear cushions, fold the backrest and load to the roof and you have 0.952 cubic metres available. If you need five seats and more luggage accommodation, then either a roofbox or a small trailer may be worth considering. The trailer is by far the easier method, as when not needed, you simply disconnect it. The only difficulty may be finding a space to park it when not needed. The Polo TDI will tolerate up to 75 kg on the roof. The downsides are that it causes extra aerodynamic turbulence and drag, which creates noise and reduces fuel consumption. Also being mounted on the roof, it is more difficult to load and unload. Installing and removing it when needed/not needed, is a far more time consuming job and you still need a place to store it. The Polo will accept an unbraked trailer, like a small baggage trailer, of up to 570 kg in weight, or if you want to tow a bigger braked trailer/caravan, it will accept up to 1200 kg in weight. That should be more than enough for most normal needs. The luggage floor itself can be set to two levels, with a removable floor. This provides a safe and secure space for small items, between the two levels.

Above left : Normal luggage space, floor in upper position and parcels shelf in place
Above right : Normal luggage space, shelf removed and floor in lower position

Above left : Maximum luggage space, floor in upper position
Above right : Maximum luggage space, floor in lower position

Above : Full size alloy spare wheel and tools below luggage floor

Although it is turbocharged and uses direct fuel injection, the Polo TDI’s engine is comparatively lightly tuned, with a specific output of just 41.301 kW/lt. Compare this with its bigger sister the Golf GTD, which delivers 63.516 kW/lt ! However, it is not deficient in any way, as the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, manages a comparable 42.307 kW/lt. As I said in the beginning, the Polo TDI delivers performance, fuel economy and low exhaust missions, making it satisfying to drive and economical to operate.
The five speed gearbox is smooth and positive in operation. Around 60 kph (37 mph) corresponds to about 1,500 rpm in fourth gear, which is about where maximum torque starts, so you cannot use fifth comfortably unless the traffic is moving at a faster pace, especially if you are driving in typical suburban conditions, where speeds are up and down all the time. In these circumstances the gear selector indicator in the digital information panel can be annoying, as the control system cannot see the road or traffic conditions, whereas you the driver can and are thus in a better position to know which gear is best. This is one of the reasons why I would pay extra for the optional seven speed DSG gearbox, as the electronic systems can then do all the up or down changes they like, without any effort on the driver’s part. However, it does cost a rather hefty Euro 1,730 extra, which is unacceptable, where price is an important consideration.

The suspension is pretty conventional, yet it gives a good, comfortable, well controlled ride, with safe and predictable handling. The steering is light and direct with a comfortable three turns from lock to lock. The braking system incorporates anti-lock, with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist. It uses ventilated discs at the front and plain discs at the back.
This test car was fitted with optional extra sixteen inches diameter alloy wheels. The standard wheels are fifteen inches diameter alloy items and this is what is used for the spare. Personally I would be more than happy with the standard alloy wheels.
From a cost and maintenance point of view, Volkswagen give a two years unlimited mileage warranty, with two years roadside assistance, three years paintwork cover and a twelve years anti-perforation guarantee. Regular servicing is required every 30,000 km or two years, whichever comes first.

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