Volkswagen Polo

The interior cabin of the Volkswagen Polo speaks tough build quality and top notch fit and finish levels. However, the overall design has now gradually begun to show its age. The cabin feels cramped for its size, especially at the rear, and the all black cabin makes that sense even stronger.

The three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel with piano black inserts looks very classy, but at the same time, the very simple looking analog dials and a monochrome MID unit in the instrument console looks pretty dated.

The wraparound theme for the centre console, which is slightly tilted towards the driver, also looks a bit dated, but accommodates a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto and reverse camera. A rectangular panel for the automatic climate control is placed just below the infotainment system. The occupants of the back seat do get rear AC vents for optimum cooling.

The Volkswagen Polo here is also available with an optional ‘Join’ package, which adds in few more accessories like black trunk garnish, aluminium scuff plates, bodyside mouldings, black spoiler, window tint film, ‘Join’ emblem and leather upholstery.

This previous generation model of the Volkswagen Polo available in Malaysia might not look as flashy and contemporary as the latest generation model of the same car available in International markets. However, the clean lines and proportionate design of this Polo still make it a timeless design to look at.

At the front, the Volkswagen Polo welcomes you with a sleek trapezoidal grille stretched across the width of the bonnet and ends up with large trapezoidal headlamps which have tapered inner edges. Unlike many other modern cars, they do not get LED lighting elements. The trapezoidal fog lamp with sleek chrome garnish below them in the front bumper is a nice touch, while the large air dam on the bumper makes it look beefier.

The side profile of the Volkswagen Polo looks clean with a simple design, which gets a noteworthy crisp line flowing all the way from the edge of the headlamp and that of the tail lamp. The seven-spoke alloy wheels look very basic though.

At the back, the Volkswagen Polo looks sober yet elegant with the large block-shaped tail lamps with LED inserts and a sleek line flowing in the middle of the boot lid towards the bottom. The Volkswagen logo in the middle of the boot lid also doubles up as the door handle for the boot. The license plate housing shaped like a trapezium is placed in the rear bumper.

The Volkswagen Polo feels nimble and quick to drive, courtesy the stiffly sprung suspension setup comprising of Macpherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear. The ride quality is slightly on the stiffer side, but it is far from being uncomfortable.

The Malaysian-spec Volkswagen Polo is powered by a large and conventional sounding 1.6-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. This engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox as standard, breathes out a maximum power output of 105 PS, while the maximum torque output is rated at 153 Nm.

Even the entry-level Volkswagen Polo feels adequately equipped with safety basics like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors with camera, brake assist, cruise control and ISOFIX mounts for child seats.

The Volkswagen Polo, in this previous-generation model, still manages to make a lot of sense, with its premium and tough build quality, punchy performance from its engine, and excellent driving manners. All these traits do make a good driver’s car to start with.