Opinions from owners

[david burton]

Anybody joined up to the forum with the latest Polo? I'm interested to hear feedback and opinions as I quite like the new style......

[RITCHAT]

Having had the chance to look at the new polo. I have only one reservation at this stage and that's the pointless false floor in the boot not big enough to be of much benefit, however it would store some items like the extendable wrench for the flat tyre time.

Looks the business in the 5 door and should look great in the metal three door style.

[Grey_Polo]

I just took delivery of the new Polo after 5 months wait. It's a continental spec. made in Spain as I live in Switzerland (the Uk ones seem to be made in South Africa?!?). Only done 120km so far, so cannot comment too much.

Previously owned a Mk4 Golf for 9 years from new and wanted another new Golf, but the price for the spec. I wanted made it impossible. But the new Polo came to the rescue!

First service is in 2 years or 30,000kms. But the dealer supplied us with a little of the special oil used. What do they know that I don't?

Will post a picture, if I can find how on this forum.

Re. the false floor in the boot. This was the first thing I removed! It is a cheat to make the floor the same height as the folded back seats. But as it make the boot area smaller, it now rests in my garage.

[Grey_Polo]

Sorry I can't edit/add this to my post above. This is with narrower winter wheels and Tyres. The Summer wheels are 7J x 16 "Cartagena". 1.4 Petrol, 7 gear DSG, Highline with leather seats, 510 Radio with medai player:

[david burton]

Spec looks good - love the front end but I'm undecided about the side view. Does it seem bigger inside than the previous one?

[Grey_Polo]

Spec looks good - love the front end but I'm undecided about the side view. Does it seem bigger inside than the previous one?

I can't tell you too much about size to the previous Polo, as my last car was a Golf 4. But the acid test was if my wife's hard cello case would fit in the back of the new Polo with the seats down. It does. Plus it is clearly smaller than the Golf 4 inside, but after week I don't notice it any more. There is surprisingly a lot of room in the back. The boot area is where I find the biggest loss of space.

The only way you will find out is to sit in one. Certainly the Polo has grown and my local dealer describes it as the "Golf Killer". I am sure there are plenty of previous Golf owners who want a high speced car and baulk at how this works out on a Golf. My new Polo has 'sports suspension'. I don't think this is available in the UK. It lowers the car by 15mm and has stiffer springs. I reckon the standard suspension means the car rides fairly high over the wheel arches. You may notice the brochure for the Polo has the biggest wheels and lowest suspension - making it look very beefy. More beefy than most you'll see on the road.

Here's the side and back:

[RUM4MO]

I just took delivery of the new Polo after 5 months wait. It's a continental spec. made in Spain as I live in Switzerland (the Uk ones seem to be made in South Africa?!?). Only done 120km so far, so cannot comment too much.

First service is in 2 years or 30,000kms. But the dealer supplied us with a little of the special oil used. What do they know that I don't?

Re. the false floor in the boot. This was the first thing I removed! It is a cheat to make the floor the same height as the folded back seats. But as it make the boot area smaller, it now rests in my garage.

When the time comes to replace my wife's Polo 9N I'd like to think that I'd give VW another chance, I share your concerns about the UK market ones being built in SA, I also share your concern about these cars, even the 1.2 3 cylinder ones being supplied complete with a litre of engine oil, finally I also agree with you you say and what you have done with the false boot floor. Smart looking cars though especially in Grey and in 5 door form. I just wish they would market a mildly boosted 1.6 petrol engine for all these people that want a smallish car that can move around easily - but want to avoid the way that VAG TDI engines deliver their power. It seems that "drivability" is one attribute that has been missed out in modern cars - maybe because the motoring press etc are not excited about it as they in general never actually buy and run modern cars, just use planes and trains and talk/write cars.

[Grey_Polo]

@RUM4MO

The 1.2 TSI version (which was the one supplied to journalists in Sardinia in spring 2009, but was not available until late 2009) should have some more kick.

I did not want the TDI, as it would take over 8 years to get back the extra cost by fuel saving - I do low mileage and diesel is only a few cents/litre cheaper. Also the diesel engine takes much longer to warm the heater up. An important factor when it's -8° outside. My 1.4 petrol is delivering warm air within 2 - 3 kilometres even when it's well below zero and the car is kept in an unheated garage.

I have now driven in snow a couple of times and can confirm the ESP (electronic stabilisation programme) works well. This locks the differential and stops the wheel tug and keeps the car going in the direction it's pointed in.

[RUM4MO]

Yes, I also find that the TDI engines do not end up being cheaper over the mileage my wife's cars tend to cover. I think that in general petrol engines are more stable in winter conditions - plus as you say TDI engines, because they are more thermally efficient do not heat the car up quickly - unless you add in a diesel engine water heater.

ESP, my wife's 2003MY Polo 9N 1.4 75PS has ESP but unfortunately unless the air temperature is just right and the type of snow is just right and you have the correct tyres, then I've found it to be of no value - until a few weeks ago when it worked very well in snow and Michelin Exalto tyres. One issue is that because there might be a possibility of the brakes overheating (no chance at very low road speeds) you tend to find that shortly after traction has been restored or controlled, the system takes some time out so you are left losing traction again for a minute or so every two or three minutes - not so good!

Quite a few car manufactures used to claim that traction control makes 4WD or 4X4 redundant on normal road cars - I do not agree with that at all and I have had experience of both 4X4 and 2X4 with ESP.

[Grey_Polo]

The last four weeks have been extreme here in Switzerland. I've driven more on snow than tarmac! The ESP has cut in numerous times at starts and up hills. I cannot fault it. Likewise the ABS has had a good work out.

The DSG 7-speed automatic has 'Mountain Help' and this is excellent too. When descending and you brake, it drops down a gear to help slow you down. As the ratios are quite close, this doesn't result in slipping the front wheels at all.

The main reason that traffic still moves here during snow is that without exception everyone uses winter tires (and as in my case these are on a second set of wheels). Your insurance can be invalid if you have an accident in snow on summer tyres. Snow tyres, especially when new with their open tread pattern and softer compound make a real difference. The difference between getting up and hill or not and stopping everyone else from getting up too.

Heater works well too!

1200kms covered and two complaints to be sorted:
The 'two-tone' horn is a single-tone Noddy-style 'paaaarp'.
The DAB radio is not DAB+ compatible. Over half the stations in Switzerland are now on DAB+ (plus).

[Gillen]

The front looks really nice and the rear isn't too bad...not a fan of it side on though!

Got any interior shots (dash etc)?

[Grey_Polo]

Some odd quirks with my new Polo.

Just notioced that the windscreen wipers are different lengths - by quite a lot. I guess this will complicate replacements.

When running with headlights on, indicating left of right or truning sharply left or right puts on the corresponding front fog light. It's a new VW/Audi thing.

Currently using 5.6 litres per 100Km or 50mpg on mixed driving (1.4 16v petrol with DSG 7-speed automatic) after 2500kms.

Had to go back to the dealer as the two-tone horn sounded like a cow. They have to order (a) new horn(s).

[garywatt]

Hi all

Not had mine for long.

Noticed the length of the driver wiper blade. Definately much longer and would probably have to go to the dealer or get online if needing a new one. Don't think Halfords would have these...correct me if I am wrong.

I find the steering a little light. Maybe just me as I came from a Mini Cooper S. At speed it's a better ride than the Mini. Not so much wind noise.

Have not noticed a saving in petrol yet. Still topping up every week. Someone said to me it would take a while for the engine to settle down and will maybe notice a difference then.

All in all, I am very happy with it. It's a good looker, better than the Golf. Few folk have had a sly look at it while in the traffic queues..........maybe because I am keping the alloys clean all the time!

Cheers

Gary

[Grey_Polo]

That longer wiper blade has the disadvantage that it collects water wiped off the screen and at speed dribbles it up the passenger-side windscreen. (That's assuming the UK version has the longer wiper on the driver's side.)

Just got 5.1 litres/100km or about 55mpg (Imperial) or 46.12mpg (US). On a 250km round trip with mainly congested motorway driving.

The power steering is variable with speed, so the Mrs finds parking the Polo very easy, but at speed it heavier with plenty of feel.

The car is quiet at speed, but with the back seats down and no parcel shelf there is noticeable wheel noise...

[Grey_Polo]

After 3 months and 4000km I have given the false floor in the boot another chance and find it quite useful for stowing lose but and pieces out the way.

Another feature that is a mixed blessing it the 3 times blink feature on the indicator stalk. (If you tap it it sets the indicators to blink 3 times for lane changes on motorways.) This is very convenient until you tap it error and signal you are turning somewhere you aren't...