Volkswagen Polo review

Our pick of the Volkswagen Polo’s engine line-up is the 1.0-litre TSI 95. While its 94bhp output might sound a little weedy, this engine actually pulls strongly from low revs thanks to how promptly its turbocharger spins into life. In fact, it makes the more powerful 1.0 TSI 110, which has 108bhp, seem an unnecessary expense. 

We’d advise you to avoid the entry-level 1.0-litre 80 engine, though. Unlike the TSI engines, it doesn’t have a turbocharger, so you’ll need to work it really hard to get any kind of decent acceleration. This can end up making journeys rather tiresome.

If you really enjoy driving and want something fun and agile, you'd be better off looking at the Fiesta or Ibiza. Their firmer suspension, sharper steering and more playful handling make them more fun on twisty roads. The Polo's optional sports suspension helps level the playing field, but only to a degree. 

That’s not to say the Polo isn’t competent through the corners with its standard suspension. It’s surefooted, with plenty of grip and well-weighted steering that allows you to thread it confidently through a series of bends – even at quite fast speeds. So, if you simply want something that’s composed and easy to drive, you’ll be quite happy.