Polo or SEAT for a little more power?

Trading in a 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, which was around 70hp. New Polo default seems to be 1.0-litre 65hp, actually lower power than 12-year-old Fiesta? Maybe default SEAT ibiza SE is better with its 1.0 MPI EVO 80hp engine. Load of one adult and two children, Offaly/Kildare roads and M4 travel twice a week to Liffey Valley usage.

Thanks

John

John Quinn (Offaly)

May 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi John,

A very good point — basic VW Polos have always been rather underpowered and the fact is that, for the same price as a basic Polo 65hp, you can have a basic SEAT Ibiza with the more powerful engine. Or for the same price as the 80hp Polo in basic Trendline form, you could have an Ibiza with the same engine but in higher SE trim. We’d say definitely go for the SEAT in this instance, as you’ll get better spec, or better performance (especially for that M4 run), or both.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe