New Volkswagen Polo in-depth review: Still the ‘people’s small car’?

[@JoeLeah4]

I have this in the R Line and I love it! Mine has the 95ps 7 speed auto and it’s a joy to drive. The gear changes are buttery smooth and the adaptive cruise control is fantastic in crawling traffic. Highly recommend

[@terrybrown3486]

Have one on order since Dec. Hope to get it in 22!

[@LukasBlau]

I do own it in r line 115hp 🤙🏻 It’s so peppy fells more like 130hp

[@XzzVttll]

r line 95 ???? aahahah

[@NicholasStevensDrBiscuit]

I've just ordered one of these. The basic 'Life' spec has no mats, no sat nav and no front or rear parking sensors, but the new next one up, the 'Style' trim does have all these, which I think are pretty much essential these days, and it wasn't very much more, so I think that trim is easier to recommend now. I was amazed how big the boot on these is these days, 350 litres is the same as the mark 6 Golf and more than a focus had until 2019.

[@arejaybee5591]

20 grand for an entry level Polo. Mad.

[@leewhite6249]

13k for an entry Up! is madder !!

[@YabrakProds]

at that point get a fully spec'ed Renault Clio that has way more kit and looks better imo

[@abhilashmukundan6908]

@@YabrakProds What about safety 😊

[@NotaPrimarch]

Just brought a VW Polo Style. The dealer told me VW will be raising prices for all cars on 1st January. The Polo is going to see another £700 added to it's price

[@portman8909]

But it does seem to include more in the basic spec than previous models such as LED headlights

[@MrMindfullygood]

I own the 2019 Polo 1.0 Mpi 80hp Comfortline trim. I realize that it does not have too much power but it’s not that bad really. It’s frugal to run. Only when I look at reviews I feel the Tsi turbo 95hp was a better option, but when I’m out driving, the 80hp does just about about everything beautiful. Honest buying advice, just pick a model that fits your budget. They all are well built and efficient. Polo really is a sweet pick of the lot.

[@lukburddd6973]

Hmm the reason why there’s a false floor is to make the boot level with the lip, almost every single car out now has the same layout and if you remove the floor of course the seats will have a step, bit of a stupid “bugs me” moment

[@tylercardy6644]

Nice review. You always do such easy to watch lovely videos. I have had mine on order since December. Similar spec, life, though with the DSG and a driver convenience add on (blind spot assist, auto parking, etc) as my wife drives like it’s the apocalypse.

[@carbugnov1952]

I have a 2010 , 3 cylinders polo and still running smooth as new .

[@mattrussell250]

The car had the variable boot floor... all that was needed was to lift it up and it creates a flat load bay 🤷🏻‍♂️ We have a 68 plate Polo and went for a brand new 2022 Fiesta Titanium Vignale to replace it (for less per month than an entry level Polo...)

[@Jay-B1750]

My parents have a Puma Vignale, it's a lovely trim level, make it feel a bit special, they've always had Ghia/Titanium models, they love it!

[@XzzVttll]

you dont need ()

[@foregonereality]

Much prefer the front of the Polo over the new Golf. I always preferred the Golf but the current model is just not right - add to that the lack of buttons and dials in the Golf which make it a nightmare to use when the vehicle is moving.

[@chrispenn715]

Prices do vary between the different VAG brands - At one point, the Leon was much cheaper than the Golf for a better spec - three years later I found the Golf was much cheaper than the Leon - to some extent, the timing of facelifts/updates often affects the prices.

[@rg6982]

Great car but i prefer the fiesta! Another great review, can watch Nicola all day 👍😊 7:39 that's exactly why we love her 🤣🤣

[@markmd9]

The advantage of having Polo is that many think you are driving Golf

[@nurleise7012]

The Polo is a little Golf.

[@COSMOJGjg]

@Carbuyer, is vw polo's 1.0 TSI 95HP engine reliable?(pls could anyone else answer my question)

[@PsYDaniel]

Cant call the Polo a people's car if its more expensive than all of its competition apart from the "luxury" brands

[@robcorrente6065]

Nice and fun review!

[@JB-ef6vk]

In India, polo has been here for more than a decade, recently it's production is been stopped and finally producing 700 Legend Polo cars.

[@pauldavid167]

Great video, you made me chuckle. I’ve had a new polo every 2 years since the new models started. First was an SEL 1.4 with fantastic alloys. I recently had the polo beats with the dreadful evo one litre engine. That was a real struggle on the Cornwall windy roads. I’ve just got a new silver up GTI and I haven’t stopped smiling. I went from 80 bhp in that awful evo engine to a 115 bhp go cart basically. I’ve never had so much fun

[@Wildmutationblu]

Nicola, please more videos as you make them fun to watch

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. Looks very nice

[@YouTubenonesense]

This Polo is comparable with the Dacia Sandero in terms of performance or interior quality except the price: Sandero is half the price. It's funny that in this video she mentions, Fabia, Fiesta or Vauxhall but not Dacia Sandero.

[@evilmario6061]

They also look pretty similar! None of these car journalists ever want to be too positive about Europe's best value car manufacturer.

[@georgedowns4034]

true but Polo is more complete, thus worth the money

[@evilmario6061]

@@georgedowns4034 in what sense mate?

[@tarkilldudegaming2296]

Idk the Sandero still isn't really comparible, it's entry level trim is half plastic on the outside, VW is just nicer and classier with its own rivals

[@kienfung3045]

Vw has better marketing

[@PatrickTCAPIreland]

I’d rather something Japanese, that new Yaris is nice, as is the new Jazz.

[@chrissybee18]

I wanted a polo but there was no mid range engine option. I had a fiesta zetec s with 140bhp, there is no equivalent for the polo, its either bottom end or top end. Ended up getting a skoda scala with 150bhp.

[@S3r53]

7: 46 "Comfortable, sofisticated and classy... like me " ahaha you are so funny girl. I love you ❤️ thanks for the review.

[@Wildmutationblu]

Great review as ever Nikki.

[@bedfondo]

Great review and the use of “Noddy Know It All”….is why you’re one of very best reviewers Nicola, love it 😀

[@speedandpowah1620]

I was right! It is a polo! And this is coming from a polo owner.. This car is so cool! Way better than its rivals!

[@scoopermg8226]

"Amazing" Lol.

[@jdmguy44]

"Amazing" in what way?

[@speedandpowah1620]

@@jdmguy44 fun to drive, practical, smooth ride, nice build quality, cool features and good looks

[@Luciano-IL]

hhhh... but of course.......😁

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Wrong

[@befair444]

Polo is the first in its class, then there are some empty stands and then there are ford, opel, etc... Be fair!

[@richnd1974]

Had one on the loan from VW while my car was in for service, they are ok - BUT the cup holder is useless !

[@joshchristieson8423]

If you compare cars to supermarkets. The VW polo and golf are like Sainsbury’s in terms of quality and social status, upper middle class. Cars like the CORSA, fiesta and Renault Clio are a bit more middle class, Tesco quality

[@Leedfan999]

This lady is excellent. Love the reviews. A fan

[@Ali-jx1ub]

Very nice review 🤩

[@Yb807-g]

Nice video👍🏽

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@Mogsy28uk]

great review as usual Nicola, but still a VW with same VW interior -- not for me. Seems most of the small cars all getting bigger?

[@Matty12333]

Beats me why so many people rave about the Polo, uninspiring to drive, lifeless steering that offers no feel or feedback whatsoever, suspension seems unsuited to every surface the car is driven on, seats so uncomfortable every journey over 50 miles results in a sore back and bum for both driver and passenger and more often than not at least one leg going to sleep, takes forever to de-mist, tiny boot, a below average car that has somehow gas-lit it's way to popularity. Avoid.

[@colmranger]

Love my petrol Polo but cabin noise is dreadful on a motorway

[@NedNew]

Colm, you have to have the windows up to keep the noise out - you've been told this before but it doesn't seem to be sinking in.

[@Raybo1uk]

Maybe my GTI+ is a one off then because it’s whisper quiet and with the right driver (take note uploader) handles just as well as a fiesta

[@ikarugaxx3749]

Actually, the 15" wheels HELP the suspension provide a fine ride. In the review, they speak as though the suspension provides a fine ride "despite the 'dinky' 15" wheels".

[@andrewheyes564]

Polo looks ok but I definitely prefer the new Fabia from Skoda. Looks better and better value and in a recent group test, the Skoda Fabia beat both the Fiesta and the Yaris. What’s great result and I’m waiting for my Fab to come to me!

[@tapen678s6]

Yes Skoda has a luxury soft steering

[@ikarugaxx3749]

The Fabia is softer, and less good from the dynamic angle, I mean, it handles in a rather lethargic way compared with the Polo (and even more so the Ibiza: but the Ibiza comes with the downside of a firm-ish ride; the Polo doesn't have it, and it's the middle point between the Seat, sporty, and Skoda, grand-daddish).

[@andrewheyes564]

@@ikarugaxx3749 absolutely not true. I now have the Monte Carlo and like you, other people under-rate the car. It's comfortable, economical and very good to drive. I think it handles extremely well and is without doubt in my mind, the one to get. Don't be fooled by the VW badge. Good but very expensive 🫰

[@mohamedmetwally7806]

Excellent and informative review 👍 👏 👌

[@andybennett1133]

Where's wally...?

[@jasonbrody6219]

Hi Nicola. Please do a review of Renault Clio 5 because it is Strong contender

[@eddiejones.redvees]

I traded my 2008 1.4 TDI polo last year after 12 years and 100.3000 miles of ownership it was going to kneed some big jobs doing to get to the next 100.0000 miles my new car is a 2016 Astra 1.6 diesel which runs a lot smoother with the extra cylinder and is doing the same mpg I like having a more up to date car it not quite screwed to getter has the polo but it is not that far behind

[@batmo6772]

Polo 9N had the best engines. Here in Romania we buy them even with 500.000km (around 300.000miles).

[@XzzVttll]

thats the worst engine in astra you could got.

[@alanduffell6820]

Sorry but the true volks - wagen in europe where people have less money to waste is the Dacia Sandero / Stepway. If you read a lot of German reviews the common man or woman who don't have a massive disposable income are choosing the Dacia instead of the overpriced Polo.

[@tapen678s6]

Manual cars are good as scrap

[@kamranhussain2044]

She's mislead in the boot section coz boot has got a mat which can be moved up to join the floor with the folded seats. Kindly check the proper specs of the cars before you shoot it. Thanks

[@joshstreet3919]

She did mention though that is when it’s in its lowest position

[@emrearslan1541]

this seems to be impression package, I don't wanna buy without anything but thanks for the effort anyway!

[@RickGTI2019]

It’s the car that America needs ! 🇺🇸

[@AlanCooney]

Nice review! But as soon as you mentioned 3 cylinder engine it’s not for me!! Sorry, but longevity of 3 cylinder engines is rubbish - so only suitable for affluent buyer who can afford to buy new car every couple of years!

[@Hayden.motors]

Stunning

[@maxsteelMountainLover]

Isn't Skoda Scala more value for money?

[@shinsouhitoshi9811]

Waiting for the tucson vs sportage comparison video!

[@carbuyer]

It's coming! Sorry, the edit time for one of these is pretty mammoth but it'll be worth the wait.

[@shinsouhitoshi9811]

@@carbuyer Sure, no worries!

[@thetraveldiaries999]

Her accent is both charming and amusing. I love it. I did not concentrate on car much.😂

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Hello Nicola, have you forgotten we are in a cost of living crisis ? In which case do you wonder how many can afford the *lowest* list price for what used to be a humble VW ? Think back to the austerity '70s and how volume manufacturers had to downgrade their models to appeal to cash-strapped customers.

[@tapen678s6]

Why is she driving a manual? lol

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

No thanks Nicola I'll stick to what I know and have paid for outright Ford Fiesta Active.

[@gpierre90]

Hi Nicola, Great review as always, Yeah when it comes to quality, practicality and space, you just cannot fault VW, they are great at what they do, Kudos to them, For driving pleasure, I never really driven one but I would love to, only problem for me is there is no dealership for VW in my country which is rather sad as I believe they can do great here too hence my first car was the first gen Hyundai i20. Anyway driving wise Ford Fiesta will always be more fun and I love that car too. As for transmission, yep Manual for me too please, I love interacting with my cars while driving hence why my 2017 Hyundai i20 Elite is also manual, Would I like to replace it with the new Polo? If I had the cash, I would.

[@m.ahussain4005]

New VWs are anything but reliable, a lot of cuts have been made to make production of the car cheaper hence the drop in quality of parts and the need to change them more often.

[@gpierre90]

@@m.ahussain4005 Hi, well I'm no VW expert, as I stated above there no dealerships here, there is a small number of VW cars though none of the newer ones. But if VW is dropping quality, that's bad, this is were other manufacturers will capitalise on their mistake.

[@nintendoatarikiller]

Unfortunately we don't get the Polo in Canada.

[@265justy]

Ain't ye lucky.. Its crap..

[@NayarJoolfoo]

For me Polo Mk5 was the best looking one

[@Chaosbreak1]

After Dieselgate, and how they handled all of it, VW's are on my avoid like the plague list.

[@NedNew]

You sir are the reason for the current mess in my underpants.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

I completely agree with what you have said. Customers in Australia are still waiting for compensation. Plus VW engines are unreliable long term. Well said!

[@andydavis7254]

I avoid them because they are boring unreliable heaps of junk. No matter what reviewers say.

[@murrieteacher]

In Australia, VW has a very poor customer service record. That is what keeps me away from the VW group.

[@willewinky]

Perfect for towing a small caravan like a Pod.

[@autoignite8179]

I have Polo GT TSI 110HP 6 speed torque convertor car is litt 💯

[@jurgenklopp156]

Volkswagen have to slow down with the releases of their new cars. A new model only came out like last year.

[@evilmario6061]

2018

[@duncanidaho7494]

4 cylinder engine in this car is a must. All the previous generations had 4 cylinder engines… Shame !

[@Cyberdyne-kg8ku]

I'll keep my Dacia Sandero Stepway thanks. At £14k.

[@dirkdiggler6230]

how can these poms keep comparing a polo to a fiesta>? polo the best cars to drive in small cars , no competition

[@portman8909]

Agreed, I don't understand the Fiesta hype. They are ugly cars.

[@grantcochrane7472]

Get a grip with the 'hybris or electric' models. Batteries will never be the answer . Hydrogen is

[@jimviv6030]

Nice cars in theory but my mk6 was very badly put together, not a patch on Skoda quality. Strange but true.

[@menifo4334]

The power of reviewers to implant their own concepts (or those of their sponsors) through repetition and influence the formation of new perspectives and perceptions.

[@matthewsmith2787]

Fiesta is the best to drive, VW are not made like they used to be either.

[@JackKing12.]

I blend in too and become invisible...

[@garydavis1528]

The peoples car? 😂 That is more the Fiesta that has always been a very enjoyable car to drive unlike massive understeering dynamic-less Vw’s of which the Polo has been one of their worst being totally mundane virtually all its life.

[@carbuyer]

'Volkswagen' quite literally means 'people's car' in German!

[@jdmguy44]

@Gary Davis Agree Polo is so charmless in the way it looks and drives.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

@@carbuyer Didn't do much for the people in dieselgate

[@bhirumakwana7360]

Sorumna batayaki polo modal is stopd baroda plis javbdejeya Muja pilo karedniha

[@hectorheath9742]

'Built at a cost', yeah £20,000...say what!?

[@Biseshgautamghost]

Came to listen British accent

[@alhe2147]

“ no one’s going to notice; it’s classless” - no lady, no one’s going to notice because it’s a boring grey eurobox that has a silhouette that could have come from any car brand.

[@chrispenn715]

So don't put the boot at the lowest.... 🙂

[@NedNew]

Chris, you still owe me for that shovel you borrowed from me. Send it back and we can talk more about the boot.

[@chrispenn715]

@@NedNew Will do - As long as you promise not to tell where I buried the body.....

[@funnyfiveminutes]

I prefer the Hyundai Polony

[@lflyr6287]

HAHAHAHA, VW-s cheating tactic, revealed and punished in DieselGate fiasco, made them put puny 1 litre 3-cyl crap engines in a car that once had a matured 1,6 litle 150 HP engine as well as 1,4 litre 100 HP engine. This is pathetic to say the least....and nowadays you're paying 25+ % more for a Polo compared to 10 years ago....and definitely no much has changed in terms of quality in Polo.

[@265justy]

Buy a Yaris or Mazda 2...Polo's are overrated and troublesome..

[@jdmguy44]

Agree, I've got a 2018 Mazda 2 and even after three years I still enjoy driving it. Its a great little car. Highly recommended. Never had a Yaris but it looks cool too.

[@AidilMirza]

I miss Matt :(

[@AdHD1905]

Hard cheap plastics all around

[@NedNew]

Do you mean in the car or generally in the modern day environment?

[@EdgarRenje]

I like Nicola's reviews so much, I even watch this VW Polo I don't like.

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

20k to start..

[@stevencampbell1150]

Sorry but 20 grand's a bargain is it? For a car in the size of a Polo? Plus despite having Apple carplay/android auto I'd be wanting in built satnav as well even at that base model but it's a VW so no surprise there. I'd still have the Skoda!

[@justluke9166]

Built in sat-navs are useless, out of date within 3 years and you have to pay for live traffic updates, android auto all the way!

[@stevencampbell1150]

@@justluke9166 well some of us don't have android auto tho'I don't need it as I can use Google maps via my dashboard but the point I'm making is for £20k you should at least be getting the in built satnav, a Dacia Sandero does for about 6 grand less and it has Android auto and it's a far better car than the Polo.

[@DavidRoberts-gd7hg]

The power to not write in grammatically complete sentences.

[@CsabaCs99]

Golf baby....😂😂😂

[@harry3338]

I think the new Fabia is better!

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Nah. Too many long term reliability issues with VW engines. Don't understand why people continue to buy this brand. Poor reliability, average customer service and VW badly handled diesel gate. Avoid!

[@matthewsmith2787]

VW are not known for their reliability in the real world. Every VW I have owned has had some form of issues, and one which was expensive to put right and the car was off the road for days

[@abbielindley123]

Ehhhh NICOLA!!!

[@iam3mondoot]

I would pay the earth not to have a skoda thanks.

[@harry3338]

Sounds like a YOU problem lol

[@mikegreig3338]

I prefer the Seat Ibiza…

[@NedNew]

Me too, not by much but it's nicer looking for me and good value.

[@abhisheklakshman3663]

If Matt Watson was a girl...

[@charliebigley405]

Who remembers when carbuyer had good presenters?

[@ejlee086]

폴로😶‍🌫️

[@tapen678s6]

What an awful set of tail lights on the new polo

[@andydavis7254]

Drab, Boring and Depressing. A very grey car for very grey people.

[@eshwar2162]

Its discontinued here in India so im not gonna look at it

[@Mikeyp1054]

Terrible wheels,typical boring vw interior.lazy designing

[@25myma]

Hmm, this is probably the best looking, least boring polo,..ever..that front LED bar that screams cheap, made in china is beyond my stomach though, looks like some kid slapped on a $5 led stripe from ebay.

[@bojankis5999]

This facelift made it so ugly. Now Fabia and Ibiza look much beter than Polo.

[@evilmario6061]

Agree 100%. The interior quality also took a hit since they changed factory

[@matthewsmith2787]

VW interiors are much worse made and feel cheap

[@troyboy4345]

Yet another boring ICE .... Thnx VW you have done it again.

[@morishogo144]

Crap brand and car. We bought new Polo in 2019 oil burns, common overheating, the service is once a year but they change nothing, just rip you off. Few things like window power stop working etc etc.

[@humptydumpty412]

Been watching carbuyer reviews for years, but her voice tone is not nice on the ears, will watch carbuyers other journalists instead