The 1,2-liter turbocharged 90 PS (89 hp) engine will probably continue to be a popular choice among VW Polo buyers who don’t want/need a diesel. It may have had some reliability issues in the pre-facelift model, but now that it’s been revamped, the manufacturer claims to have sorted out all that was wrong with it.

I got behind the wheel of a privately bought example that came packed with features and proved a comfy and relaxing drive, if a bit dull at times. The first thing that strikes you about the current Polo is just how plush the interior feels – there is no car in the class currently able to match its level of fit and finish. The driving position it’s not ideal for taller drivers, and at night the backlit headlight control knob reflects in the side window right where the mirror is, but that’s really all one can complain about.

The exterior is just as restrained as the interior. You have to know your VWs to notice this is indeed a facelifted version, but once you do you realize that it does look ever so slightly more modern than before – the rear lights look really trick at night. It comes with a restyled nose, although VW could have made it even more of-the-times by adding LED daytime running lights, new rear lights, bumpers and rim choices.

All the changes are subtle and don’t alter the character of the car too much, so if you liked it before, chances are it will gain even more of your appreciation now.

The Engine

The most impressive aspect of the revised 1.2 turbo engine is just how quiet and refined it is. You may have heard the cliché that “you don’t even know it’s running,” but it certainly applies here. It’s also very smooth and linear in its power delivery and doesn’t have as much turbo lag as some rivals.

It’s not blisteringly quick by any margin, posting a claimed 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 10.8 seconds. It does, however, feel quite muscular and torquey, helped by its 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque that’s delivered from just 1,400 and up to 4,000 rpm.

The example I drove didn’t have a DSG gearbox, but you really don’t need anything more than the standard five-speed manual. It works with slick precision and you can actually derive some pleasure from rowing it.

Out on the Road

In town, the Polo is dead easy to drive. The steering is light, the pedals are too and it requires little effort to thread through traffic. Take out of its cityscape comfort zone and it starts to become less capable. It’s still very safe and surefooted, and the engine/gearbox combo is surprisingly long-legged – the seats don’t kill your back on longer journeys either.

Practicality

The Polo feels very roomy and airy inside. This is in part thanks to its squared off shape comparably large greenhouse – it fares much better in this respect than swoopier rivals like the Ford Fiesta or Renault Clio. Its boot is not the biggest in class, at 280 liters, but it’s dead-easy to load things in and out as it too has a fairly square opening.

There are enough cubbies to fit belongings of all sizes, although I did notice a major problem with the side door bins. They are an awkward shape and you can lose smaller items inside, as they slide to the back of the space which is not easily reachable and I’d say it’s actually even dangerous to try to fish something out while on the move.

Final Thoughts

The Polo will be enough car for any driver who doesn’t want opulent luxury and a properly cavernous interior (this is, after all, a car designed to spend its life in town). It strengthens the argument that you don’t really have to opt for a premium brand to get premium levels of quality and kit. It’s extremely refined and quiet, and while the back does tend to bounce around on uneven road surfaces, it never gets unsettled. When it does, you have the latest ESP on tap to point you the right way.

It’s a solid buy if originality, an eye-catching design or thrilling cornering are not at the top of your priorities list. It’s the kind of car that won’t disappoint even if you’re downsizing from something in the class above, feeling like a surprisingly plush and well-rounded vehicle.

Hat tip to Bogdan for providing the car

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