Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 1.4 85 SEL 3dr

For This Polo has the best engine in the range, and in range-topping SEL trim you get all the bells and whistles that the Polo has to offer.

Against SEL trim is pricey, and the kit you get over the SE version isn't really worth the extra money.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

Right engine, wrong trim. Save yourself a few quid and go for the 1.4 SE.

Key facts

0–60mph: 11.9 secs
Top speed: 110 mph
Average mpg: 47.9
Tank range: 474 miles

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Features

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Size

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View the whole Volkswagen Polo Hatchback range

Cheaper

Hatchback 1.2 60 S 3dr
£10,085
Hatchback 1.2 60 S 5dr
£10,830
Hatchback 1.2 70 S 3dr
£10,885
Hatchback 1.2 60 S AC 3dr
£10,925
Hatchback 1.2 60 Match 3dr
£11,440
Hatchback 1.2 70 S 5dr
£11,505
Hatchback 1.2 60 S AC 5dr
£11,545
Hatchback 1.2 70 S AC 3dr
£11,600
Hatchback 1.2 60 Match 5dr
£12,060
Hatchback 1.2 70 S AC 5dr
£12,220
Hatchback 1.4 85 Match 3dr
£12,745
Hatchback 1.4 85 Match 5dr
£13,365
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Match 3dr
£13,660
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Match 5dr
£14,280
Hatchback 1.4 85 SEL 3dr
£14,305
Hatchback 1.4 85 SEL 5dr
£14,925
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Bluemotion 3dr
£14,995
Hatchback 1.2 TSI 105 SEL 3dr
£15,305
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Bluemotion 5dr
£15,615
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 90 SEL 3dr
£15,750
Hatchback 1.2 TSI 105 SEL 5dr
£15,925
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 90 SEL 5dr
£16,370
Hatchback 1.4 TSI 180 GTI 3dr
£18,935
Hatchback 1.4 TSI 180 GTI 5dr
£19,555

More expensive

Hatchback 1.2 60 S 3dr
£10,085
Hatchback 1.2 60 S 5dr
£10,830
Hatchback 1.2 70 S 3dr
£10,885
Hatchback 1.2 60 S AC 3dr
£10,925
Hatchback 1.2 60 Match 3dr
£11,440
Hatchback 1.2 70 S 5dr
£11,505
Hatchback 1.2 60 S AC 5dr
£11,545
Hatchback 1.2 70 S AC 3dr
£11,600
Hatchback 1.2 60 Match 5dr
£12,060
Hatchback 1.2 70 S AC 5dr
£12,220
Hatchback 1.4 85 Match 3dr
£12,745
Hatchback 1.4 85 Match 5dr
£13,365
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Match 3dr
£13,660
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Match 5dr
£14,280
Hatchback 1.4 85 SEL 3dr
£14,305
Hatchback 1.4 85 SEL 5dr
£14,925
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Bluemotion 3dr
£14,995
Hatchback 1.2 TSI 105 SEL 3dr
£15,305
Hatchback 1.2 TDI 75 Bluemotion 5dr
£15,615
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 90 SEL 3dr
£15,750
Hatchback 1.2 TSI 105 SEL 5dr
£15,925
Hatchback 1.6 TDI 90 SEL 5dr
£16,370
Hatchback 1.4 TSI 180 GTI 3dr
£18,935
Hatchback 1.4 TSI 180 GTI 5dr
£19,555

The Volkswagen Polo Hatchback full review Read in full

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Varies wildly, so choose carefully
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
More safe and secure than fun
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Some engines let it down
Buying & Owning
5 out of 5 stars
Affordable and good resale values
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
All versions look classy; so-so reliability
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Standard stability control across the range
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Looks and feels great
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Spacious and airy
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Cheaper trims are pretty basic

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

There’s plenty of choice in the Volkswagen Polo range, but we wouldn't bother with the three-cylinder 1.2 petrols because they’re underpowered and noisy. The 1.4 is more like it – smooth, cheap to run and reasonably affordable – while the 1.2 turbo is even easier to live with, if a bit pricey, and the GTI uses a turbocharged and supercharged 1.4.

The 1.2- and 1.6-litre diesels both give good fuel economy, but they’re expensive to buy and noisy.

Entry-level S models miss out on some essentials such as remote locking and air-conditioning, but you get both if you go for the dearer Match trim, which is our favourite. SEL cars get a little more kit for a lot more money, so they’re not worth the extra, while the GTI comes with 17-inch alloys and sports suspension.