2014 VW Polo
The Volkswagen Polo has been around for decades and cars simply don’t last that long by being rubbish! Here’s why you should consider a 2014 model.
The Volkswagen Polo has been around for decades and cars simply don’t last that long by being rubbish! Here’s why you should consider a 2014 model.
The Polo has always sat on or near the top of the supermini class and the 2014 version is no exception. It gives you all the traditional Polo attributes in terms of quality, desirability, a grown-up driving experience, gadgetry and cleaner engines than ever before.
VW’s designers are famed for their conservatism and that’s certainly the case with this version of the Polo. However, with conservatism comes a certain degree of sophistication and smartness and this is exactly what people love about this car. Ok, the features are simple and the lines are very conventional but if you look harder there are one of two interesting creases in the bodywork to jazz things up a little.
If looks really matter to you then you probably want to avoid the entry level S trim because this variant doesn’t get the alloy wheels, the colour coded bumpers and door handles or the chrome grille trim that really do look great. In fact, as you progress further and further down the trim range then the looks get smarter and sportier.
It’s on the inside of the car is where the Polo’s smartness and sophistication really hits you. The cabin has a quality feel and can be stated as being simply lush. The materials are dense and lovely to touch while the switches have a really slick substantial action to them. Again, the design is pretty conservative but this only adds to the Polo’s grown up character. The best thing about the dashboard is that it’s really really simple. All the switches sit exactly where you’d expect to find them and the 6.5 inch touchscreen that comes as standard on all but one model makes using all the infotainment systems really easy.
Compared with other superminis the amount of space you get inside is pretty average but there’s enough room there for four adults to sit in comfort. The boot is another place where the Polo does a decent job but without going the extra mile. The space is kind of reasonable at 280 litres and it’s a nice square shape. However, if you go for the S model then you don’t get the split folding rear seat or a removable boot floor that flattens out the step in the load area when you fold down the back seats. For that, and many other reasons, we recommend the SE is the trim to go for as it provides all the kit you want but keeps purchase price quite reasonable.
The running theme of conservatism is also reflected in the way the car behaves on the road. Unlike most of its rivals the Polo makes virtually no attempt to be sporty or exciting. Instead it’s just content to concentrate on being comfortable, refined and easy to drive. Granted, this does mean that the Polo is never going to thrill you in the same way that a Ford Fiesta can but not everybody wants that. Importantly, there is no road surface that it can’t deal with in a comfortable and civilised manner while the cabin stays impressively quiet and serene at pretty much any speed.
The engines really help on the “refinement” score as well as you’ll find the majority of available engines equally impressive and smooth. The one that’s most popular with buyers is the 3 cylinder 1ltr petrol engine with 74bhp. As well as having refinement on its side it’s also just about perky enough to keep most buyers happy. It’s also pretty economical returning almost 60mpg making the Polo affordable to run. However, if you’ve got a bit of extra cash then you might want to consider one of the turbo charged 1.2 litre petrol units. These are pokier and more flexible than the smaller engines but do return similar economy.
It’s no wonder why the Polo is so popular when it has this level of all-round ability. It does a good job in every single area and in some of them it really excels. Comfort, refinement and quality are where the car scores particularly highly and when you throw in the car’s desirable image and competitive ownership costs then the Volkswagen Polo is very tempting indeed!
