Polo brings a breath of fresh air

It may look sporty but can the new VW Polo R-Line deliver an invigorating drive?

The Polo GTI sits at the top of Volkswagen’s secondsmallest hatchback range, bringing with it plenty of performance and a good degree of charm too.

But what if you want the looks of the GTI, but not the hike in insurance costs or increased trips to the fuel pump? Enter the Polo R-Line. It’s got the stylish appearance of the performance Polo, but underneath the bonnet resides a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine in place of the GTI’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Could it be the best of both worlds?

WHAT’S NEW?

Underpinning this latest generation Polo is Volkswagen Group’s latest MQB platform, which allows it to offer far more space than its proportions imply. It’s no small car anymore - however, anyone used to previous generation Polos would likely be surprised by just how much the little VW has grown. But that means that it feels like a far bigger, and therefore a more refined car to drive. Of course, all this does come at a price. HOW DOES IT LOOK?

The design represents a decent evolution of the previous

Polo’s looks, while pumping up its premium credentials. It’s a svelte appearance, and in R-Line specification it’s certainly a sportier one. The optional 17-inch alloy wheels on our test car look the part too, and the overall impression is of a ‘baby’ GTI. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Overall it’s a high-end place to be, with all manner of solidto-the-touch plastics meeting contrast finisher pieces to create a cabin which feels really well made. Rear seat legroom is decent enough and when it comes to boot space, the Polo does even better thanks to its 351-litre load area - that’s bigger, even, than the larger Ford Focus. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

The standard equipment levels are strong. The R-Line spec also boasts all manner of visual enhancements, including a full design pack, gloss black air intakes and LED daytime running lights. The main infotainment system is Volkswagen’s composition media one - it’s easily one of the most user-friendly in the business. THE VERDICT

The R-Line specification is there for those who want all of the buttons, screens and additional equipment you could want from a Polo. It’s well built, good to drive and practical to boot - but then so is the Polo. At £25,000, for many buyers the temptation to push up into a larger car may overwhelm the appeal of the Polo R-Line in the first place.