Unleash the Ultimate Drive: Discover Why the Volkswagen Polo Stands Alone as the Pinnacle of Hatchback Perfection

Fuel-efficient 95ps turbo and supple ride

Now let’s go out on the public road. The UK specification engine is a 1.0L 3-cylinder naturally aspirated 80ps entry unit called TSI. On top of that, there is a turbo version, with a choice of 95ps or 115ps.

The first one I test drove was a naturally aspirated 80ps engine. To drive the car lively, it is necessary to actively operate the 5-speed MT and take advantage of the maximum torque of 9.5 kg-m generated between 3700 and 3900 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h takes a gentle 15.6 seconds.

The main product in the UK is a turbo version of the same engine that produces 95ps. Delivers 17.8kg-m from 1600-3500rpm and is clearly muscular. It’s a little noisy in the low rpm range, but the rpm increase is smooth.

However, although the 5-speed MT has a high gear ratio and has excellent fuel efficiency, it is difficult to get sharp acceleration unless you turn it a lot. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h takes 10.8 seconds. A 7-speed dual-clutch AT called DSG is also available. Gears change smoothly, but kickdown response is a little slow.

Above this is a 1.0L turbo with 115ps. Maximum torque increases to 20.4 kg-m, and 0-100 km/h acceleration is reduced to 9.8 seconds.

The ride is generally supple. The quality is so high that you can’t believe it’s the smallest class. It has a high sense of stability at high speeds and skillfully evens out road undulations. The handling of unevenness at city speeds is also excellent. Although tremors remain in the raised areas, the impact is not strong enough to withstand.

The steering wheel is reasonably quick and reasonably heavy. It is agile in the city, and feels as secure as a slightly larger model on the highway. It has high grip and allows you to easily maneuver the small body on sections with continuous curves.

Stable running and excellent isolation from the outside world

It’s maneuverability is easy to predict, and it’s fun to drive. Excellent grip balance and understeer is suppressed. It gradually expands outwards to the point where you feel nervous, but not so much that it causes anxiety.

Increased body roll increases the load on the tires and increases the weight of the steering wheel. You can explore the limits of grip power, although it doesn’t convey the feeling of ground contact.

Volkswagen Polo (UK version)

The chassis is designed for stability, and even if you release the accelerator pedal all at once during a turn, you won’t be able to swing the rear tires around. That said, stable running and excellent isolation from the outside world are strengths that have been passed down through generations of polo.

UK prices are high, starting at around 21,000 pounds (approximately 4,070,000 yen) even for an 80ps entry-level model. If you specify the 115ps Black Edition, the price increases to approximately 27,500 pounds (approximately 5.34 million yen).

Fuel efficiency is 18.7km/L for the 80ps version. In the 95ps version, where the engine load is smaller, the output increases to 19.3km/L. At 115ps, the R-line grade of the 7-speed DSG is rated at 18.6km/L.

The 6th generation Polo is now in its 7th year. If you want the excitement of driving, you’ll want to choose the GTI, but it still has many attractive features such as its excellent finish, practicality, and manufacturing quality. I also like the mature atmosphere.

Currently, there are models with high appeal such as the 208 and Clio (Lutecia), although their individuality may be weak. However, he also has deep abilities that are difficult to obtain in this class. It can be said that it has the perfect balance of reliable maneuverability, good fuel efficiency, ride comfort, and refinement.

◯: Spacious interior space High manufacturing quality and superior equipment Excellent balance of comfort and maneuverability
△: Dynamic stimulation is weak. Design needs a little more individuality. Cost performance is not as good as rivals.

Image “1 class above” quality! Volkswagen Polo Comparison with hatchbacks in the same class 152 photos in total