2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0 65 S - verdict
The Volkswagen Polo 1.0 65 petrol is the cheapest engine in the Polo range. Does that make it a bargain, or simply mean you are getting what you pay for?...
So, while on paper this entry-level Polo might look like being a winner, it’s not our pick of the range.
Why? Well, it’s just too slow. Getting up to speed requires you to work the engine hard, which is not only tiring, but quickly eats into that impressive fuel economy figure. And if you find yourself commuting on the motorway, you’ll also miss the quiter cruising enabled by the more powerful 94bhp turbocharged engine's extra sixth gear.
So unless you’re only ever going to use your Polo in town, we’d suggest the 1.0 TSI 95 SE remains the pick of the range and one of the best small cars on sale – a car that is fun, fast and frugal. But if that's simply outside your budget then you still have options: exactly the same turbocharged engine can be had in the equally virtuous Seat Ibiza from £14,595, or the excellent Skoda Fabia from as little as £12,980.
What Car? says...
Rated 3 out of 5
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Volkswagen Polo S 1.0-litre 65 PS 5sd manual 5dr
Price £13,060 Engine 3cyl, 999cc, petrol Power 64bhp at 5100-6100rpm Torque 70lb ft at 3000-4300rpm Gearbox 5-spd manual 0-62mph 15.5sec Top speed 102mph Official economy 60.1mpg CO2, tax band 110g/km, 21%
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