Australia’s choice in the light vehicle segment continues to contract further. The segment was previously jam-packed with cheap and cheerful options. But manufacturers now struggle to produce them profitably due to increased production costs caused by ‘greener’ power alternatives, and tougher safety standards.
There is one contestant that strives on with its half-century long legacy. Well, for now. It is the Volkswagen Polo. The current sixth-generation, first launched in 2017, ended production in Europe in July, 2024. But right-hand drives will continue being built into its eighth year in South Africa – where Australia’s model is sourced. This leaves us eager to review a seemingly rare commodity while we still can.
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: Specifications
Engine: 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder
Output: 85kW@5000-5500rpm / 200Nm@2000-3500rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 16×6.5, 195/55
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1185kg
Power-to-weight: 13.94:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 5.4L/100km
Our consumption: 6.1L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/95 RONPower efficiency: 15.74kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.59 seconds*
0-100km/h: 9.67 seconds*
60-110km/h: 7.00 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.40 seconds at 134.5km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.567g*
100-0km/h braking: 38.14m in 3.07 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.448g*
Decibel at idle: 37*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 77*
Starting price: $32,540
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: How much does it cost?
Like with most light vehicles, the Polo is now pushed into the VFACTS light category ‘above $30k’, alongside the Hyundai i20 N, MINI Cooper, Audi A1, and Skoda Fabia. Of which the latter two cousins share the same platform as the Polo. Under $30k, only the Mazda2, MG3, Suzuki Swift, and Toyota Yaris remain.
The Polo lineup consists of the Life, the Style, and the GTI hot hatch. The base variant Life retails for $29,490, then the mid-spec Style that we have spent a week with here retails from $32,540, and at the top, the pocket rocket GTI starts from $40,390 (all excluding on-road costs).
When this Mk6 generation Polo was first launched in 2017, you could snap up a manual example from $17,990. So, costs have nearly doubled rather quickly. But among the competition, the price is relative. The Audi A1 launches its pricing at $36,200, the MINI Cooper from $41,990, the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo from $38,990, and the Hyundai i20 N from $34,990. Cheaper alternatives are the Suzuki Swift, starting from $24,490, the Mazda2 from $22,870, the MG3 from $23,990, and the Toyota Yaris from $28,500.
All Polos are backed by an industry average five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with 12 months of free roadside assistance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever occurs first). But servicing costs are above average for a small hatch. When serviced at a Volkswagen service centre, the first five are capped at $484, $746, $470, $1253, and $470. To save some dollars you can opt for a three-year prepaid plan for $1500 (saving $200), or a five-year plan for $2850 (saving $573).
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: Interior & packaging
Sitting inside the Polo Style, you are presented with an interior that looks and feels quite upmarket for its segment. You get many practical inclusions of an SUV; including a centre armrest, large door bottle holders, a wireless phone charger, a sunglasses roof holder, and a rear centre armrest.
Interior quality is admirable, with soft-touch materials, linear contours to keep the design neat, and contrasting brushed metal-look areas. Though, there are no roof handles, the seats are manually adjustable only, and they feel hollowed out.
On the plus side, interior tech is not lacking. A digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch centre touch-screen, and ambient interior lighting are standard in the Style. The cluster is notably customisable, and you get wireless app connections and a ‘Beats’ premium sound system when you upgrade to the ‘Sound & Tech’ package for $1900.
Further back and rear passengers have enough space to be comfortable for shorter trips. Fitting in five passengers is expectedly a squeeze for longer trips. The boot is decently sized for this segment; offering 351 litres or 1125 litres when the rear seats are folded down. A steel-rim spare wheel sits under the floor.
To achieve the five-star ANCAP safety rating, safety features are aplenty in all Polo models. As standard, you get seven airbags, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, lane assist, front and rear parking sensors, auto headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Then the Style gains Travel Assist, adaptive cruise, park assist, side assist with rear cross-traffic alert, occupant protection system, and matrix LED lights.
Even though the launch of this generation was seven years ago, externally, it still looks modern and sophisticated, with VW’s typically conservative design charm. It encompasses sharp, linear panel creases, and a cute overall bubble silhouette. Wider rear lights from the 2022 facelift help it to appear as a wider car, and the added LED light stripe across the front looks suave.
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: Powertrain & handling
Under the bonnet lies a unique 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine which produces 85kW and 200Nm, sent to the front wheels. That doesn’t sound like much, but it feels gutsier than you’d assume. It’s spritely for its miniature size, and the unique three-cylinder note has it sound meaty when revved. The 0-100km/h sprint is officially timed at 10.4 seconds. Our testing with a Vbox showed a real-world result of 9.67 seconds.
A boost from the turbo really helps to move the Polo along, but not until it is activated after a lengthy delay. It feels related to engine programming rather than outright gutlessness. When you need to take off fast, it has a frustrating lag, especially when you add the start/stop function into the mix.
The lag is also present when pulling out of a corner, as it locks itself into a higher gear no matter how deep you bury the accelerator pedal. This renders the engine spinning low in the rev range where there is little pulling power available, as peak torque does not kick in until above 2000rpm.
The start/stop function is rough for this three-cylinder engine. It can cough at times, given there are only three piston sparks to a cycle. Battery power supporting the start/stop function also does not seem to be strong enough as the sound system and centre screen sometimes turn off momentarily during the engine resume process.
We see a familiar seven-speed dual-clutch automatic fitted to all variants, except the GTI (six-speed). It zips through the gears hastily and provides a more interactive driving experience over boring CVT auto alternatives. Sadly, manuals have been phased out across the line.
One of the biggest advantages of owning a pint-sized hatch is thrifty fuel economy. The Polo officially averages a frugal 5.4L/100km. And that is without any assistance from electric power. Our average was slightly more, but still respectable, at 6.1L/100km. But it does demand the more expensive 95 RON petrol.
Piloting the Polo is certainly easier than a horseback ride in grass fields with a mallet. Its small size makes it effortless to park and poke through narrow city streets. Steering is also direct, tight, and weighty to give it a stable feel.
Independent suspension, with MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front and a torsion beam rear axle, with trailing arms and coil springs, provide decent comfort and stability. Torsion beams are usually the inferior and cheaper choice. But here, bumps are aptly softened and handling through fast corners feels agile and predictable. It’s a fun car to drive, in pretty much all scenarios.
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Rare: One of only a few light-sized hatches left on the market.
- Affordable: Cheap runabout, low fuel consumption, with a hint of Volkswagen sophistication inside and out.
- Punchy once it gets going: Tiny 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine feels spritelier in practice than on paper.
- Design: Very smart and neat design inside and out, with a surprisingly roomy and practical cabin and boot.
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: Key considerations before you buy
- Initial power lag: There is a noticeable delay in getting that power to come through.
- Start/stop feature refinement: On engine resume, sometimes there is not enough battery grunt to keep the touchscreen and audio powered up.
- Servicing costs: The Polo cops higher than average servicing costs for a light hatch.
2024 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
Where did our abundant choices suddenly go for budget light hatches? One of the few respectable options that remains is the Volkswagen Polo. The ‘Style’ variant gives you all the important stuff and a touch of VW class without sending the price too high. You also get a frugal and willing powertrain, though, with a stubborn acceleration delay.
