Superminis used to be dominated by the land of the rising sun. But the recent under-supply of COE has put a crunch on new car sales volume, resulting in accelerated competition in our local automotive market. This probably led to the rise in popularity amongst the continental breeds, namely the Audi A1, MINI, Volkswagen Golf and Polo. In fact, with the current prices of COE, the hatches from Volkswagen has elevated into something of an established norm.

Recently, the Japanese and Korean brands have infiltrated this establishment with the Hyundai Veloster and the Suzuki Swift Sport, posing somewhat a threat to the continental carmakers, thanks to their bold and fresh looks. But while both cars don't look too shabby when parked beside their continental peers, high car prices are pulling the crowd towards continental breeds. This is where the Polo comes in.

Money and taxes aside, this downsized Polo is the kind of supermini that signifies you. It's not all about the shape and the size or the drivetrain and the looks. Instead, it's about being young, fresh and making a statement about yourself. In simpler terms, it's the kind of car that relates to people who are ten years younger than the Golf buyers.

The Polo was first introduced in 1975 and has seen its fair share of generations, including a GTI version which was launched here in Singapore in April last year. Now, with a brand new 1.2-litre engine, the Polo you see here replaces the 1.4-litre model, making it the smallest and perhaps the liveliest car in its segment.

Exterior

Up close and personal to one, the Polo remains aesthetically unchanged. Drawing heavily on the existing VW lineup, frontal elements of the hatch remain familiar, taking cues from the sexier Scirocco.

Despite the argument of the Polo having close resemblance to the Golf, we beg to differ. No doubt that it comes from the same blood, the Polo sports different design cues and it doesn't take a keen eye to notice them. Although not as sharp as the ones fitted on the Golf, the headlamps are intense-looking, giving the car the much needed character and aggression to stand out from the shadow of its bigger brethren.

Less intense, though, are the taillights. Sporting multiple layers of "L" design, the rear lamps are probably the first cues that give away the car as a Polo (other than the badge).


It's pretty safe to say that VW has played things very safe with the new Polo. The subtle evolution of the hatch's shape and strong corporate familiarities have allowed the Polo to, slowly but steadily, create its own distinct identity. It may not have the bigger piece of the pie when it's compared to the Golf, but it does garner the likes of new drivers and perhaps even the retirees - a target audience that the Golf cannot reach out to.

Interior

Despite its minute dimensions, the Polo feels like a bigger car. The hatch will easily fit five occupants with sufficient head, leg and shoulder room. Although we would wish for more legroom, it does not affect much in reality. Bearing in mind that it's a car that will allow you to get you and your passengers from point to point in a comfortable, not luxuriously, manner, the Polo essentially fits the bill of what a car should be.

It does also score points for its precision fit and finish, with exact intersections and quality materials used. While it's not leather-swathed, the dashboard and centre stack is sturdy and it does flourish in sight while the gear lever has been replaced to match the current line of VWs. It's a secured place to be and it looks and feels like the materials will last a couple of future generations of Polo.


The bolstered seats are no exceptions to lasting a lifetime too. Other than being supportive, it does offer the driver a high seating position, offering good all-round visibility, which is relatively important for new drivers and perhaps even retirees.

Although it's currently the base model in Polo's lineup, we did expect audio controls on the steering wheel, considering the fact that such gimmicks are becoming a norm, even in the Japanese hatch segment.

The Drive

On the move, the Polo is still as fun and nippy as ever, even if the improved performance figures suggest otherwise. The eager 1.2-litre powerplant mates well with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox to produce 90 horses and 160Nm of torque - an increment of 5 ponies and 30Nm over its predecessor - giving the car a sufficient and linear pull for a century timing of 10.9 seconds.

While it doesn't leave stretches of skid marks from the lights, it leaves the pack behind with ease which is a big feat for a car of its displacement capacity. The secret lies in its ability to achieve the maximum torque from a lower band of rev range. In animalistic expression, the Polo is almost like a cheetah in a cat's body, all thanks to its signature dual-clutch gearbox. Overtaking pesky taxis and maintaining higher speeds on highways are but mere icing on the cake.

The car shrugs off minor surface imperfections while remaining well-insulated over bigger bumps at higher speeds. It maintains its stand as a comfortable cruiser that will stay planted to the tarmac even if you decide to throw it around with reckless abandon. As a result, ride-quality is never compromised which will allow the driver to enjoy the decent balance of comfort and handling.

Conclusion

The Polo may lack the flair of a MINI or the DS3 and may fall short to rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in terms of individuality but it offers a sensible driving experience at an affordable price which makes perfect sense in a time like this.

With ample go to match its show, the Polo is a good choice for a first car and it'll probably give you one exciting first experience you'll never forget.