Volkswagen Polo Trendline 2014 review

The best thing about the new Volkswagen Polo is the price. If that sounds like a backhander, it's not, because the Polo still gets The Tick from me and is the car I've just chosen to make my mother-in-law Heather smile.

The former Car of the Year winner is updated this week with everything from downsized yet more efficient engines to some class-leading safety equipment, as well as smart infotainment gear from the latest Golf, although there is no sign of a standard reversing camera.

There is not much visual difference on the 2015 Polo but the changes keep the car sharp in one of the toughest showroom classes in Australia.

VALUE

Which brings us to the pricing. It starts at $15,990 drive-away for the latest 66TSI Trendline with a five-speed manual gearbox.

That's pretty remarkable since the Polo starting price was just over $19,000 when it landed in Australia and even the run-out model is $15,490 on the road.

So buyers are getting a new model at what amounts to a run-out price - at least while the deal stands, for the next three months - and even the full-tilt bottom line of $16,290 is $700 cheaper than the outgoing model.

FEATURES

The basic car gets Trendline trim and the higher spec gets the Comfortline package, adding the likes of automatic aircon, leather-wrapped wheel, centre armrest, alloy wheels and a multifunction trip computer with a big digital speedo.

"We are making a concerted effort to reduce the complexity of our model range. That means less variants and more equipment," says Volkswagen Group Australia product manager Todd Ford.

It's easiest to describe the latest Polo as a facelift, although some of the under-the-skin stuff - including wiring and safety systems from the MQB mechanical 'tool kit" used to create Golf MkVII - is pretty major.

It means that, in addition to six airbags and anti-lock brakes, the new Polo has multi-collision braking and picks up radar cruise control, city emergency braking, auto wipers, rear-view camera and a driver fatigue warning on the Driving Comfort package that costs $1500.

The Polo takes a bigger role for VW after the failure and departure of the city-focused Up, which is why the company is aiming the update at young first-car buyers and an older group - perhaps like my mother-in-law - who are downsizing or buying for a younger family member.

DESIGN

The update work is not too obvious at first, although there is a slight change to the bumpers and wheels. The cabin upgrade adds the touchscreen infotainment I have used in a wide range of other VW Group cars.

But it is worthwhile and the safety gear is particularly welcome. This has always been a four-star car for me and nothing has changed. It drives tight and responsively, with fine audio, comfy seats, handy cruise control and the safety upgrades.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The only bad news on price is that Volkswagen still charges $2500 for the DSG automatic gearbox, claiming its seven-speeder is more sophisticated than the old-school self-shifters that most brands fit for $1500.

The 2015 Polo line-up has been trimmed to a pair of models with smaller 1.2-litre turbo petrol engines making 66kW or 81kW, with fuel economy improved by nearly 20 per cent. There is stop-start to improve economy, as well as electric power steering for a small efficiency improvement.
There is no plan yet for a diesel, although a similarly updated GTI is due next year.

SAFETY

ANCAP gives the Polo five stars, particularly over the optional extras, but finds time to criticise a missing lane-departure system not fitted to any car in its class.

DRIVING

I start my Polo time with the 81kW car and I'm impressed by the response, the spread of gears in the seven-speed DSG, as well as city-braking warnings when I get too close to the car in front. It's quite the complete package.

The 66kW car is not as perky, especially when I hit a couple of long uphill climbs. But it's still a very impressive starter car.