It’s more sophisticated than most of its rivals, it boasts technology, it’s roomy and versatile on a day-to-day basis, but all of this comes at a price that isn’t cheap. We test drive the updated Volkswagen Polo to see how the upgrades have fared.
The volkswagen polo It is one of the most emblematic models of the German brand. Three almost half a century of life and six generations has earned a place of honor in automotive history but the market is capricious and its evolution has been causing the popular utility is in its lowest hours. In fact, the last update of the Polo has passed almost on tiptoe.
The Polo has gone from being one of the key pillars in the range of the German manufacturer to being in the background after the landing of the Volkswagen SUV army in the B segment. Sales of urban crossovers continue to grow and the Wolfsburg manufacturer wants to attract customers with the presence of up to three options in the range represented by the T-Cross, the T-Roc and the new Taigo. Precisely the latter, with a more dynamic image thanks to its SUV coupé format, can finish off the future of the Polo.
It would be a pity because the present evidence that the new Polo 2022 is one of the best options of the highly competitive B-segment. In its facelift, it has adopted some cosmetic touch-ups to give this 4.07-m-long urbanite an image in line with the latest Volkswagen releases.
It shares a platform with the SEAT Ibiza, the Skoda Fabia and the Audi A1 Sportback, but the Polo has its own sober and modern image. The renewed German utility for the first time it can be equipped with Matrix Led IQ.Light headlights which are also accompanied by a led strip that crosses the entire front unit joining both optical groups, a style detail inherited from the Volkswagen Golf.
The LED taillights have also been redesigned, now being two-piece and stretched towards the center, in addition to acquiring dynamic turn signals. Likewise, the bumpers sport a new design and new styles are offered for the alloy wheels ranging from 15 to 17 inches. They are not profound changes but it is undeniable that the face wash has done him a lot of good.
more technological
Inside, the novelties focus on the technological section rather than on the cosmetic. For example, the renewed Polo comes as standard with a fully digital instrument cluster with 8 or 10.25-inch screen, depending on the finish. The largest allows various configuration options for the information displayed.
As standard or as an option, you can also enjoy access and start without keys, front center armrest with length adjustment and storage compartment, two USB-C sockets, 12 V connector, wireless charging base for smartphones, Beats Audio sound system with subwoofer and a total power of 300 Wheated front seats, opening sunroof or dual-zone climate control with touch panel.
In the center of the dashboard the German makes room for the Discover Pro multimedia system with 9.2-inch touch screen. It is integrated into the console but at the same height as the instrumentation so you don’t have to look too far away to operate on it. The system has connectivity with Android Auto and Apple Carplay and functions such as gesture control.
This renewal of the Polo has also taken advantage of improving the quality of the materials that make up the cabin, something that seemed clearly improvable in the previous model considering the price of this car. Now there are more rubbery touch surfaces although the main face of the dashboard is still dominated by a large piece of plastic; the adjustments are good and the seats are comfortable and soft. It will not leave us with our mouths open but we must not forget that we are in segment B.
In the back Volkswagen has taken advantage of the habitability very well and the Polo is one of the utilities that provides more space to the rear seats accommodating passengers up to 1.85 m tall without stress. These passengers will enjoy two USB-C outlets to recharge electronic devices during trips.
The model manufactured in Navarra not only has a lot of space for passengers but also for cargo, which guarantees magnificent versatility of use. Count with one 351 liter capacity boot, being one of the largest in the category. The only model in this segment that is clearly superior in this regard is its brother the Skoda Fabia (380 liters). The load base can be placed at two heights and the rear seatbacks can be folded down in a 60:40 ratio to obtain up to 1,125 liters of volume.
without electrification
The range of engines is very small with a single 1.0 TSI three-cylinder petrol block which is available with two power levels. As an access option, the variant of 95 hp that can be linked to a five-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, although most of the sales will fall on the version of 110 hp only available with DSG.
It is that TSI 110 DSG variant with which we have had the opportunity to live for a few days. It is a good option because it develops adequate performance while maintaining reasonable fuel consumption: during that time the average consumption that I have obtained has been 6.0l/100kma normal figure in this category.
The essential equipment package for those who want the greatest dynamic performance costs very little and includes a sports suspension that lowers the ground clearance of the bodywork by 15 mm, adds the electronic differential lock XDS and offers the driving mode selection system. This pack was equipped by the test unit.
I had my doubts if stiffer damping would lead to a loss of comfort, something that often happens with sports packages. However, Volkswagen has not wanted to be very radical in this regard and the firmness of the lowered suspension is very successful because it is enough to contain the pronounced swaying of the bodywork but at the same time neutralize the impacts caused by speed bumps or roads in poor condition. This comfort is also helped by the fact that there are no tires with an absurdly large diameter and mounting the optional 17-inch ones are more than enough.
With this suspension and tire setup, the Polo moves very well, exudes a lot of poise and has touch of big car. The DSG automatic gearbox is not a prodigy of speed but it shows great smoothness and is the perfect complement to make the journeys very pleasant even in the daily traffic jams at rush hour. In addition, the passenger compartment is well insulated, making it quieter than a SEAT Ibiza, for example.
The German also increases its security staff and assistants. Among others, the little urbanite includes the Front Assist emergency braking system, the adaptive cruise control, the Lane Assist lane keeping system, the assistant TravelAssist that automatically keeps the vehicle centered in the lane and maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, traffic sign recognition system, Park Pilot parking assistant or a center airbag installed between the two front seats to protect the occupants of these seats in the event of a side impact.
Spacious, comfortable and versatile, the Polo meets all the desirable requirements in a utility vehicle. The German was already one of the best cars on the market in its segment and by receiving a more modern look and expanding its equipment it serves to consolidate itself as one of the most desirable options within the category although its price also places it at the top compared to its rivals.
The new Volkswagen Polo is for sale from 20,095 euros, a fairly expensive price but that can be lowered by taking advantage of the financing offered by the brand. It is available with the Life and R-Line finishes, in addition to the imminent and long-awaited GTI. The Polo GTI 2022 plays in another league by giving life to a 207 hp 2.0 TSI engine but it is not yet for sale in Spain although it should not take long to arrive.