PoloDriver

The Volkswagen Polo has been crowned the best supermini in the UK by motoring magazine Auto Express. It’s the second consecutive year the small Volkswagen has topped the small car category, the refreshed and efficient engine line-up helping it pick up the 2016 prize.

‘Huge breadth of appeal’
Alison Jones, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: ‘The Polo neatly typifies all the positives of the Volkswagen offering in the UK. It has a huge breadth of appeal thanks to a broad choice of models and engines, great styling and that class-leading quality for which Volkswagen is rightly renowned.’

Auto Express Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler said: ‘A 2015 facelift kept the Volkswagen Polo looking fresh and boosted its charm, and this year the German brand has added even more efficient engine options that see the supermini once again edge ahead of its rivals.

‘The Polo shares Volkswagen’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with the Up city car, but there’s also a more potent turbo version available. Even the lower-powered model is sufficient, thrumming along at motorway speeds with plenty of refinement.’ The four-cylinder turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI version was also mooted as one of the picks of the range.

‘Extra interest’
The new Polo R-Line which adds Volkswagen ‘R’-type styling flourishes was also praised by Fowler: ‘Volkswagen released a sporty new R-Line model this year to address one of the Polo’s biggest downfalls, which ensured the supermini can no longer be accused of looking a little safe or lacking style. The R-Line bodykit and bigger wheels add some extra interest to the car’s solid surfaces and sharp creases.

‘It looks like a smaller Golf – which is no bad thing – and that’s reinforced from the moment you shut the door with a solid thunk. The cabin is very well built and feels genuinely upmarket. There’s a wider range of petrol and diesel engines available, too, with a larger, more powerful 1.4 TSI. Not only is this hotter, but it also features clever tech like cylinder deactivation to improve efficiency when cruising.

‘Eco champion’
The new petrol-powered Polo BlueMotion 1.0 TSI was also noted for its economy and low emissions: ‘If you’re after an eco champion, VW’s high-efficiency BlueMotion technology has been applied to the already frugal 1.0 TSI, with impressive claimed fuel economy of 68.9mpg and 94g/km CO2 emissions,’ said Fowler.

We’ll admit to being surprised that the fifth-generation is still winning prizes, seven years into its production run. A new model is mooted for 2017/2018 and will be based on the smallest version of the new Volkswagen ‘MQB’ modular platform architecture. The current Polo range is priced from £11,525 OTR. For more details, visit the Volkswagen UK website.