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Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI (90) SE Years: 2014 to date Engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 89bhp Ins group: 15 Official econ/co2: 60.1mpg/107g/km Why? Polo feels more upmarket, plus works well both in town and on the motorway. It’s very practical, too.
Prices from: £6,490
VOLKSWAGEN’S Polo has long been a sound choice due to its brilliant combination of practicality, low running costs and quality. It’s getting on in years, and the styling looks a little bit dull next to the chic Yaris, but it’s still a top buy. In fact, we named it Supermini of the Year at our 2016 New Car Awards.
The Polo has always lagged behind the Ford Fiesta when it comes to entertainment behind the wheel, mainly due to its rather lifeless steering. However, where the VW does excel is with its refinement and composure on the move. It feels like a bigger car than it is and the 2014 facelifted models are even more grown-up than before.
While the interior is well built and rear head and legroom are decent, a high window line and dark materials mean it can feel claustrophobic.
The Polo didn’t feature in this year’s Driver Power satisfaction survey, and owners ranked it only 167th in 2015 – 91 places behind the Yaris – with gremlins disappointingly frequent.
Toyota Yaris 1.33 VVT-I Sport Years: 2014 to date Engine: 1.3-litre 4cyl, 99bhp Ins group: 10 Official econ/co2: 55.4mpg/119g/km Why? Reliable Toyota will make a decent used buy, and should be cheaper to run in the real world. Prices from: £6,990
THE Toyota Yaris has long sat in the shadow of rivals like the Polo, as the driving experience doesn’t offer the same level of composure. It’s not bad to drive, with good grip and a lightweight body, but the steering is vague.
Neither supermini here is as much fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta, plus the Yaris loses out on the other aspect of the driving experience – refinement. It’s just not as composed as its rival here. Still, the driving position is pretty good in all versions of the Yaris, particularly if you specify seat height adjustment. The upright view ensures great visibility, too.
In the back, there’s a decent amount of room for three people, and no matter where you’re sitting in the car, there are plenty of storage spaces and cubbyholes for odds and ends. Plus, the boot is a bit bigger than the Polo’s.
The Yaris just managed to squeeze into the top 100 of our Driver Power 2016 poll, placing 99th. Owners love its reliability, but aren’t quite as impressed by its comfort or performance.
Buying cars We bring two top superminis together to see which is the better used small car buy