Volkswagen Polo 1.2 Sport TSI DSG (A) Review
24 Sep 2010|42,624 views
I was driving along the all too familiar Leng Kee car belt recently on my way to pick up a test car in the area when I came across a banner strung on the side of the road. It read, "Polo, Golf? Stop playing with balls! Try the new™". Kudos to the tongue in cheek ad but thanks very much for the offer butI'd much rather continue playing with my two favourite balls.
Why? Well™despite the latest Polo sharing the same engine with several models under the Volkswagen umbrella, it somehow seems to be packaged with a greater element of fun compared to the other similarly engined models. And despite the Polo sharing most of its components with the Fabia, the build quality still seems to be slightly better in the Polo than the Fabia.
Exterior
Thankfully, the Polo inherits much of the Golf's handsome family features like the trapezoidal headlamps and the polished black slats where the VW badge sits proudly in the centre. These features afford the Polo a more 'grown-up' and sophisticated look over its Fabia cousin. There isn't a lot to distinguish this re-engined 1.2-litre Polo from its 1.4-litre brethren besides a set of foglights on the front bumper and the new 16 inch shoes it wears.
Why? Well™despite the latest Polo sharing the same engine with several models under the Volkswagen umbrella, it somehow seems to be packaged with a greater element of fun compared to the other similarly engined models. And despite the Polo sharing most of its components with the Fabia, the build quality still seems to be slightly better in the Polo than the Fabia.
Exterior
Thankfully, the Polo inherits much of the Golf's handsome family features like the trapezoidal headlamps and the polished black slats where the VW badge sits proudly in the centre. These features afford the Polo a more 'grown-up' and sophisticated look over its Fabia cousin. There isn't a lot to distinguish this re-engined 1.2-litre Polo from its 1.4-litre brethren besides a set of foglights on the front bumper and the new 16 inch shoes it wears.
The Polo Sport follows the same angular lines of the previous Polo that leads to a squarish rear end that gives birth to a hatchback tailgate. The taillights are also squarish in design. Further accentuating the lines in the rear.
Interior
Upon entering the Polo, you immediately notice the peerless fit and finish that Volkswagen models enjoy. The pleasant tactile feel of high quality materials is unmistakable. Take hold of the sturdy three-spoke wheel and you will get what I mean. Despite the Polo sharing nearly all its components with the Fabia, the interior of the Polo still leaves the Fabia far behind in the quality department. Settle into the driver's seat and the comfortably bolstered seats give the impression that they'll hold you in place should you attempt any exuberant trips round the bends.
Beyond the solid steering lies a helpful LCD panel that displays information from the trip computer in clear white fonts that are highly visible in the day or night. The instrument dials too are highly visible in the good old Volkswagen way. To the right of the driver, you find the side mirror adjustment buttons mounted at the head of the door handle. Convenient as the placement might be, the orientation of the adjustment directions does take a while to figure out.
Moving on to the centre console, the fit and finish here is exemplary with all the buttons giving a reassuring tactile feel. The Volkswagen factory sound system is encased in a painted surround that lends a nice distinctive grey shade to the interior. The audio system in the Polo is excellent as in many other Volkswagen models. Sonic performance is adequate for most listeners and a conveniently placed audio AUX-in plug is on hand should the CDs and radio start to risk getting mundane. The remote controls for the audio are replicated on the left spoke of the steering. Here, the tactility of the buttons once again demonstrates the Volkswagen quality.
Moving on to the centre console, the fit and finish here is exemplary with all the buttons giving a reassuring tactile feel. The Volkswagen factory sound system is encased in a painted surround that lends a nice distinctive grey shade to the interior. The audio system in the Polo is excellent as in many other Volkswagen models. Sonic performance is adequate for most listeners and a conveniently placed audio AUX-in plug is on hand should the CDs and radio start to risk getting mundane. The remote controls for the audio are replicated on the left spoke of the steering. Here, the tactility of the buttons once again demonstrates the Volkswagen quality.
Below the audio, you find the three dials that alter the interior climate of the Polo. The three knobs are simple and nondescript but the quality they exude is unmistakable.
In the rear, the seats will accommodate two adults comfortably though three would be a bit of a squeeze. Legroom wise, the Polo fairs reasonably well.
Boot capacity isn't the most spacious but is augmented with the split folding seats. There's also a boot tray that allows you to store important items out of sight from prying eyes.
The Drive
The 1.2-litre TSI engine in the Polo Sport gives the car a revvy exuberant nature that adds to the driving fun. At slow speeds, the DSG box can be a little jerky and will require minute inputs to keep things smooth. On the highways, the car gives good indication of the oomph from the little four-pot powerplant as it pulls well to get up to highway speeds.
In the rear, the seats will accommodate two adults comfortably though three would be a bit of a squeeze. Legroom wise, the Polo fairs reasonably well.
Boot capacity isn't the most spacious but is augmented with the split folding seats. There's also a boot tray that allows you to store important items out of sight from prying eyes.
The Drive
The 1.2-litre TSI engine in the Polo Sport gives the car a revvy exuberant nature that adds to the driving fun. At slow speeds, the DSG box can be a little jerky and will require minute inputs to keep things smooth. On the highways, the car gives good indication of the oomph from the little four-pot powerplant as it pulls well to get up to highway speeds.
The ride in the Polo is rather comfortable at cruising speeds with the small car soaking up most of the undulating bumps without any problems. This however, translates to less sporty performance in the bends as the car understeers in the bends with noticeable body roll.
Lane changes in the Polo can be a hairy affair as you try to spot objects in those tiny tiny side mirrors. I'm sure drivers will get used to it after awhile but one could always do with greater visibility.
Like other cars fitted with this excellent 1.2-litre TSI engine, the Polo gives great fuel economy as it averages 18.9km/L. Giving similar figures to the Fabia.
Lane changes in the Polo can be a hairy affair as you try to spot objects in those tiny tiny side mirrors. I'm sure drivers will get used to it after awhile but one could always do with greater visibility.
Like other cars fitted with this excellent 1.2-litre TSI engine, the Polo gives great fuel economy as it averages 18.9km/L. Giving similar figures to the Fabia.
Conclusion
Even though the Volkswagen Polo Sport shares many similarities with the Skoda Fabia, the Czech still lags behind in interior build quality. Thus the orphan Fabia will have a tough fight with the parent company's much more refined offspring. Potential owners will not only be swayed by the Golf-like looks, the badge will be hard to ignore as well.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Even though the Volkswagen Polo Sport shares many similarities with the Skoda Fabia, the Czech still lags behind in interior build quality. Thus the orphan Fabia will have a tough fight with the parent company's much more refined offspring. Potential owners will not only be swayed by the Golf-like looks, the badge will be hard to ignore as well.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
I was driving along the all too familiar Leng Kee car belt recently on my way to pick up a test car in the area when I came across a banner strung on the side of the road. It read, "Polo, Golf? Stop playing with balls! Try the new™". Kudos to the tongue in cheek ad but thanks very much for the offer butI'd much rather continue playing with my two favourite balls.
Why? Well™despite the latest Polo sharing the same engine with several models under the Volkswagen umbrella, it somehow seems to be packaged with a greater element of fun compared to the other similarly engined models. And despite the Polo sharing most of its components with the Fabia, the build quality still seems to be slightly better in the Polo than the Fabia.
Exterior
Thankfully, the Polo inherits much of the Golf's handsome family features like the trapezoidal headlamps and the polished black slats where the VW badge sits proudly in the centre. These features afford the Polo a more 'grown-up' and sophisticated look over its Fabia cousin. There isn't a lot to distinguish this re-engined 1.2-litre Polo from its 1.4-litre brethren besides a set of foglights on the front bumper and the new 16 inch shoes it wears.
Why? Well™despite the latest Polo sharing the same engine with several models under the Volkswagen umbrella, it somehow seems to be packaged with a greater element of fun compared to the other similarly engined models. And despite the Polo sharing most of its components with the Fabia, the build quality still seems to be slightly better in the Polo than the Fabia.
Exterior
Thankfully, the Polo inherits much of the Golf's handsome family features like the trapezoidal headlamps and the polished black slats where the VW badge sits proudly in the centre. These features afford the Polo a more 'grown-up' and sophisticated look over its Fabia cousin. There isn't a lot to distinguish this re-engined 1.2-litre Polo from its 1.4-litre brethren besides a set of foglights on the front bumper and the new 16 inch shoes it wears.
The Polo Sport follows the same angular lines of the previous Polo that leads to a squarish rear end that gives birth to a hatchback tailgate. The taillights are also squarish in design. Further accentuating the lines in the rear.
Interior
Upon entering the Polo, you immediately notice the peerless fit and finish that Volkswagen models enjoy. The pleasant tactile feel of high quality materials is unmistakable. Take hold of the sturdy three-spoke wheel and you will get what I mean. Despite the Polo sharing nearly all its components with the Fabia, the interior of the Polo still leaves the Fabia far behind in the quality department. Settle into the driver's seat and the comfortably bolstered seats give the impression that they'll hold you in place should you attempt any exuberant trips round the bends.
Beyond the solid steering lies a helpful LCD panel that displays information from the trip computer in clear white fonts that are highly visible in the day or night. The instrument dials too are highly visible in the good old Volkswagen way. To the right of the driver, you find the side mirror adjustment buttons mounted at the head of the door handle. Convenient as the placement might be, the orientation of the adjustment directions does take a while to figure out.
Moving on to the centre console, the fit and finish here is exemplary with all the buttons giving a reassuring tactile feel. The Volkswagen factory sound system is encased in a painted surround that lends a nice distinctive grey shade to the interior. The audio system in the Polo is excellent as in many other Volkswagen models. Sonic performance is adequate for most listeners and a conveniently placed audio AUX-in plug is on hand should the CDs and radio start to risk getting mundane. The remote controls for the audio are replicated on the left spoke of the steering. Here, the tactility of the buttons once again demonstrates the Volkswagen quality.
Moving on to the centre console, the fit and finish here is exemplary with all the buttons giving a reassuring tactile feel. The Volkswagen factory sound system is encased in a painted surround that lends a nice distinctive grey shade to the interior. The audio system in the Polo is excellent as in many other Volkswagen models. Sonic performance is adequate for most listeners and a conveniently placed audio AUX-in plug is on hand should the CDs and radio start to risk getting mundane. The remote controls for the audio are replicated on the left spoke of the steering. Here, the tactility of the buttons once again demonstrates the Volkswagen quality.
Below the audio, you find the three dials that alter the interior climate of the Polo. The three knobs are simple and nondescript but the quality they exude is unmistakable.
In the rear, the seats will accommodate two adults comfortably though three would be a bit of a squeeze. Legroom wise, the Polo fairs reasonably well.
Boot capacity isn't the most spacious but is augmented with the split folding seats. There's also a boot tray that allows you to store important items out of sight from prying eyes.
The Drive
The 1.2-litre TSI engine in the Polo Sport gives the car a revvy exuberant nature that adds to the driving fun. At slow speeds, the DSG box can be a little jerky and will require minute inputs to keep things smooth. On the highways, the car gives good indication of the oomph from the little four-pot powerplant as it pulls well to get up to highway speeds.
In the rear, the seats will accommodate two adults comfortably though three would be a bit of a squeeze. Legroom wise, the Polo fairs reasonably well.
Boot capacity isn't the most spacious but is augmented with the split folding seats. There's also a boot tray that allows you to store important items out of sight from prying eyes.
The Drive
The 1.2-litre TSI engine in the Polo Sport gives the car a revvy exuberant nature that adds to the driving fun. At slow speeds, the DSG box can be a little jerky and will require minute inputs to keep things smooth. On the highways, the car gives good indication of the oomph from the little four-pot powerplant as it pulls well to get up to highway speeds.
The ride in the Polo is rather comfortable at cruising speeds with the small car soaking up most of the undulating bumps without any problems. This however, translates to less sporty performance in the bends as the car understeers in the bends with noticeable body roll.
Lane changes in the Polo can be a hairy affair as you try to spot objects in those tiny tiny side mirrors. I'm sure drivers will get used to it after awhile but one could always do with greater visibility.
Like other cars fitted with this excellent 1.2-litre TSI engine, the Polo gives great fuel economy as it averages 18.9km/L. Giving similar figures to the Fabia.
Lane changes in the Polo can be a hairy affair as you try to spot objects in those tiny tiny side mirrors. I'm sure drivers will get used to it after awhile but one could always do with greater visibility.
Like other cars fitted with this excellent 1.2-litre TSI engine, the Polo gives great fuel economy as it averages 18.9km/L. Giving similar figures to the Fabia.
Conclusion
Even though the Volkswagen Polo Sport shares many similarities with the Skoda Fabia, the Czech still lags behind in interior build quality. Thus the orphan Fabia will have a tough fight with the parent company's much more refined offspring. Potential owners will not only be swayed by the Golf-like looks, the badge will be hard to ignore as well.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Even though the Volkswagen Polo Sport shares many similarities with the Skoda Fabia, the Czech still lags behind in interior build quality. Thus the orphan Fabia will have a tough fight with the parent company's much more refined offspring. Potential owners will not only be swayed by the Golf-like looks, the badge will be hard to ignore as well.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Also read our comparison article on:
Renault Clio 1.2T vs Seat Ibiza 1.0 EcoTSI vs Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSICar Information
Volkswagen Polo 1.2 Sport TSI DSG (A)
CAT A|Petrol|18.9km/L
Horsepower
78kW (105 bhp)
Torque
175 Nm
Acceleration
9.7sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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