Is the new Volkswagen Polo way better?

Guys, I have a 2000 Volkswagen Polo. How much better would the "new" Polo be compared to it? Even though I do very little mileage, I'm in two minds whether to upgrade or not, please help!

Michael Cavanagh

Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Michael,

This question arrives at a timely moment as I've just stepped out of a brand new Polo 1.4 TSI test car. I'd have to say that it's a long, long, loooooong way ahead of a 2000 model year Polo, fine car though that was at the time. I had always felt that the Polo was a little bit of the also-ran of the Volkswagen range, but I think that this latest round of updates, especially on the inside, finally make it feel like the mini-Golf it always should have been.

It's nice to drive, comfy and that 1.4 turbo petrol engine is a gem, giving almost-diesel-like economy but proving revvy and willing when you want to get going. A far cry from the too-sluggish 1.2 petrol Polos of old. So, yes, upgrade - my take is that it's well worth it.

Here's our first drive of the new Volkswagen Polo for reference

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe