66kW Polo TSI is surprisingly quick

ROAD TEST

Volkswagen Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline

The styling updates that VW has applied to the Polo are so subtle that they're barely worth mentioning - but the real revolution here takes place beneath the bonnet.

For the record, the 2014 Polo hatchbacks do look a little snazzier than before thanks to headlights with new inner decorations and redesigned front bumper with an enlarged lower air intake, yet I can't help but feel that the extra slat in the grille makes it look older rather than newer. It'll take a sharp eye to notice the new inner design for the taillights and resculpted rear bumper but if you want your 2014 Polo to stand out, VW is offering some flashy new colours, like the bright Cornflower Blue option you see here.

TURBO ADVANTAGE

The real write-home-about change is the fitment of a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol motor across the range, replacing the previous 1.4 and 1.6 normally aspirated engines and effectively putting the Polo among the technology frontrunners of its class.

The new 1.2 is available in two states of tune: 66kW or 81kW. I spent a week in the 66kW version and not once did I feel 'done in' by the amount of urge on board. Thanks to the breathing advantage it has at altitude and the fact that it produces a generous 160Nm of twisting force, the car is somewhat quicker than you'd expect a 66kW car to be. Best of all, there is practically no lag off the mark and it delivers its power smoothly right through the rev range. As for efficiency, the lab-tested NECD figure of 4.9 litres per 100km is a bit far off the mark, although our test car's drinking habit, in the region of around seven l/100 in mostly urban driving, was really not too bad in my book.

While the 66kW Polo doesn't get the six-speed gearbox that 81kW cars have, the standard-five speeder has well-spaced ratios and the shift-action is smooth. It's an easy, painless and comfortable car to drive and the only real ergonomic niggle is the relatively cramped footwell.

IT’S CLASSY INSIDE

One area where this car really does deserve a championship title is in the touchy feely area of tactile cabin quality. Among the mainstream hatchbacks in this class, I really don't believe any rivals come close to matching the Polo's interior ambience, with a clean design and a collage of high quality materials all conspiring to make you feel like you're in a fairly expensive car. It even smells quite nice inside, for a car without leather seats.

The 2014 model gains a few subtle design changes in the form of a new steering wheel and instrument cluster with '3D tubes', yet the real attention grabbing change is the addition of a user-friendly 12.7cm touch-screen entertainment system as standard across the range. The version fitted to the Trendline base model is in black and white and lacks Bluetooth as well as a USB port, but the upgraded unit fitted to the Comfortline model, on test here, adds the aforementioned functionalities and some colour.

In addition to the basic luxury features found in the Trendline, like aircon, central locking and front electric windows, the Comfortline adds niceties like 15-inch alloy wheels and a leather-covered multi-function steering wheel. And VW should seriously pat itself on the back for offering a whole suite of active safety features, like ESC stability control and the Multi-collision braking system, as standard across the new Polo range.

VERDICT

Looking at the Polo Comfortline within its price context, it is a bit more expensive than its rivals but for that you get a classy and well-equipped hatchback with very satisfying performance and driving characteristics. Judging by the sales figures, many South Africans are happy to pay the Polo premium.

FACTS

Volkswagen Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline

Engine: 1.2-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol

Gearbox: Five-speed manual

Power: 66kW @ 4800rpm

Torque: 160Nm @ 1400rpm

0-100km/h (claimed): 10.8 seconds

Top speed (claimed): 184km/h

Consumption (claimed): 4.9 litres per 100km

Price: R216 600

Warranty: Three-year/120 000km

Service plan: Three-year/45 000km