The Dollberge region is wild in a quiet sort of way. Roads slither through dense pine forests, sometimes rising into fog, sometimes diving between crests that feel carved by time itself. It’s a place where the road surface can switch from buttery, smooth to cratered in half a curve. Ideal, in other words, for real, world car testing. That’s where I brought the sixth, generation Volkswagen Polo , post, facelift, 1.0 TSI Style DSG with 95 horses under the bonnet , to see whether this baby VW really could live up to its Golf, baiting ambition. And let me just say it now: this little thing punches above its badge.
Looks Like a Shrunk Golf, Feels Bigger Than Ever
I’ve driven Polos before. I grew up in a generation where they were unapologetically small, unapologetically basic. But standing next to the new Polo in the early morning mist of the Dollberge ridges, I did a double take. This isn’t small. Not anymore. The facelifted Polo stretches out over four meters in length, wider and more planted than ever before. In Vibrant Violet metallic , yes, that’s the official name , with the gloss, black Roof Pack option, it doesn’t look like a “small car” at all. In fact, more than one local mistook it for a Golf.
When I settled into the driver’s seat, the transformation continued. VW’s now, standard “virtual cockpit” greeted me with a pin, sharp display behind the wheel. Customizable, intuitive, and clean. The multifunction steering wheel now feels as premium as the Tiguan’s. The updated infotainment system , Discover Pro , has ditched buttons entirely for haptic touch panels, which takes some getting used to. Volume adjustment is a two, step affair now. But let’s be honest, this is the price you pay for modernity.
And modernity is what this Polo oozes. From its LED headlights , standard even on the base model , to the touchscreen climate control and connectivity suite (USB, C ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay), it’s hard not to feel like you’re sitting in something from a class above.
95 Horses, 3 Cylinders, and a Lot of Personality
The 1.0, liter TSI three, cylinder engine under the hood may sound modest, but out on the road, it has character , and more importantly, it has range. Around the winding switchbacks of the Dollberge, the turbocharged unit felt peppy and alive. With 95 hp and 175 Nm of torque delivered through the 7, speed DSG, I never once felt left wanting.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 11.3 seconds, but this number doesn’t tell the full story. It’s in the 40, 100 km/h range where the Polo really shines , overtakes on rural highways, punchy exits from hairpins, and uphill climbs were all dispatched with cheerful eagerness. The engine note is unmistakably three, cylinder, a thrum that some may find intrusive, but I found it more reassuring , it’s honest, and in its own way, kind of fun.
At 130 km/h on the Autobahn stretch just outside Nonnweiler, the Polo hummed along at just under 70 dB(A), which is perfectly civilised. Despite its size, wind noise was well, managed, and the suspension soaked up road imperfections with a maturity that caught me off guard. It rides like a Golf. There, I said it again.
Real, World Consumption and Eco Test Cred
Fuel consumption, however, is where reality sets in. VW claims 5.5 litres per 100 km in the WLTP cycle, but my real, world average over a mix of uphill slogging, Autobahn dashes, and village cruising settled closer to 6.2 l/100 km. That’s with the DSG model, mind you , and considering the spirited driving I indulged in on the hilly test loop, not entirely unreasonable.
Inside Space and Practicality: Can It Swallow Life?
Let’s talk interior practicality, because if this car wants to be a grown, up, it has to carry like one. The front seats have generous travel, and I, at nearly 1.85 meters, had headroom and legroom to spare. The rear seats? Adequate, not lavish , though two adults can manage for shorter hauls.
What genuinely impressed me was the boot. With 351 liters of luggage space in normal setup and up to 1,125 liters with the seats down, the Polo is no slouch. I managed to load my mountain bike frame , wheels off , into the rear without needing to disassemble the cockpit. That’s something even some crossovers struggle with. Though I missed having grab handles above the doors , VW has scrimped there , the interior quality otherwise felt far more premium than you’d expect at this price.
Trim Variants, Tech, and Pricing
VW offers the Polo in several trim levels: Life, Style, R, Line, and Move. My test car, the Style variant, sat at just over €28,000 with a healthy list of options. That includes LED lights, the full digital cockpit, Discover Pro infotainment, lane, keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control (via Travel Assist IQ.Drive).
Yes, €28k is a hefty price for a Polo. But what you’re getting here isn’t just “a small car.” It’s a condensed version of the Golf experience, both in tech and in feel.
Technical Specifications
To maintain reliability, we reference only VW’s official online resources for technical specifications.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Engine Type | 3, Cylinder Turbo Petrol (TSI) |
| Displacement | 999 cc |
| Power Output | 95 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 175 Nm @ 2,000, 3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 7, Speed Dual, Clutch DSG |
| Drive Type | Front, Wheel Drive |
| 0, 100 km/h Acceleration | 11.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 187 km/h |
| WLTP Fuel Consumption (Combined) | 5.5 l/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 126 g/km |
| Boot Space (Seats Up) | 351 liters |
| Boot Space (Seats Down) | 1,125 liters |
| Curb Weight | 1,204 kg |
| Length x Width x Height | 4,074 x 1,751 x 1,451 mm |
| Price (Base Style DSG) | €28,045 |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
Conclusion: A Polo That Plays in the Big League
After a few hundred kilometers through the twisting valleys and forest passes of the Dollberge, I stepped out of the Polo with one dominant impression: this is no longer just a city car. It’s a refined, well, built, tech, laden hatch that’s happy to stretch its legs on the Autobahn, gobble up groceries, and then pull up looking composed and sharp next to cars twice its price. It still bears the name Polo, but this generation has fully stepped into Golf territory , without trying too hard to show it.
It’s not perfect , the evasive handling quirks and slightly thirsty petrol engine remind you that there are still compromises , but in the areas that count, it delivers more than anyone expects. If the Golf was always accused of being classless in a good way, the new Polo now stands proudly beside it, quietly daring anyone to call it “small.”
Is the VW Polo a good car for long, distance driving?
Yes. With improved suspension tuning and low cabin noise at speed, the Polo is surprisingly capable of long, distance cruising. It’s not just a city car anymore.
How is the infotainment system of Polo after the facelift?
Modern and responsive, but slightly fiddly. VW has removed most physical buttons, so getting to climate controls or volume adjustment now requires navigating menus or using touch, sensitive sliders.
How reliable is the VW Polo?
VW offers a standard 2, year warranty, and the Polo has shown good reliability trends, especially in TSI variants with DSG. Just ensure proper servicing and avoid harsh DSG treatment.
