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Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 110 R-Line 5dr DSG Review

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The 108bhp variant of the 1.0 TSI petrol engine gives you 108bhp and a little extra shove over the 94bhp engine. Even so, the performance gains over the less powerful variant make it hard to justify the additional cost. We’d stick with the 1.0 TSI 95.

1.0 TSI 110

Hatchback

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

POLO

If you want your Polo to look slightly sportier, R-Line trim is for you. Coming in at around the same price as Style trim, it also adds larger 16in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, built-in sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, adjustable lumbar support and a 12.5in digital instrument display.

R-Line

1.0 TSI 110 R-Line 5dr DSG

10-tsi-110-r-line-5dr-dsg

3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners

Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay

Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation

Driver and front passenger seat height adjustment

Start-stop system with battery regeneration (recuperation - energy recovery during braking)

ESC (Electronic stability control) + EDL (Electronic Differntial lock) and ASR (Traction control)

Power folding adjustable/heated exterior mirrors and front passenger exterior mirror lowering function

Air care climatronic air conditoning system with active combination filter and 2-zone temperature control

60/40 split folding rear seat and rear seat bench not split

Front curtain and side airbags with center airbag

Volkswagen Polo

A great all-rounder that's smart, comfortable and roomy inside, and good to drive. While it’s pricier to buy outright than some rivals, that’s largely offset by competitive monthly finance rates and strong resale values. However, hybrid rivals offer better fuel economy and the Skoda Fabia is even more comfy and refined.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

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Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 110 R-Line 5dr DSG Review

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51.4

351

litres

126

g/km

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