Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 1.6 TDI 90 SEL 3dr

For We haven't tried this engine yet, but the balance of power and running costs you get looks inviting. In range-topping SEL trim you get all the bells and whistles that the Polo has to offer.

Against With a more powerful diesel engine and the range-topping trim, this is the priciest Polo in the range.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

The most expensive three-door Polo isn't necessarily the best. We reckon the excellent 1.4 SE will more than do for most buyers.

Key facts

0–60mph: 11.5 secs
Top speed: 112 mph
Average mpg: 65.7
Tank range: 650 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.