Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI DSG Review: Hitting from the baseline

What we like:

Improved performance over the 1.4 model it replaces

well-proportioned looks

safety

What we dislike:

COE prices makes it relatively unaffordable

not significantly cheaper than the Sport

short of standard kit

Inside, the Polo is typical Volkswagen. The dashboard is ergonomically designed and is constructed from the best materials in the class. The dashboard designed is inspired by the Golf’s while the instruments are clear and easy to read at a glance thanks to its white backlighting. The use of soft touch plastics and switchgear makes the Polo feel more expensive and exquisite than its closest competitors.

There are some nice and convenient touches in the cabin as well, like the large door bins, the retractable driver’s arm rest with a storage compartment underneath and so on. You can also find additional useful storage spaces underneath the front seats.

The driving position is highly comfortable thanks to the reach and rake adjustable steering wheel and the height adjustable driver’s seat. Although not as spacious as the cleverly packaged Honda Jazz, the Polo’s rear offers sufficient headroom but legroom could certainly be better and the boot is reasonably sized and well-shaped for a car of the Polo’s size.

The 1.2 TSI features the same RCD 210 stereo head unit as the 1.4 MPI but with a new, sharper display screen. As expected, the 1.2 TSI is equipped with less luxuries and standard kit as its higher end Sport or GTI siblings.

Add in some additional luxuries and standard kit, and the new entry-level Polo will makes loads of sense for an urban environment like Singapore. The Polo’s appeal though, is limited by the high COE prices that it is slapped with, which in turn makes full sized family saloons like Volkswagen’s own Jetta costing not significantly more than compact hatchback models like the new entry-level Polo here.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Mark Yeo