Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Review: Supermini Fashion

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Review: Supermini Fashion

Despite the stratospheric prices of COEs, superminis are still popular with small families or for those who are into buying a second car. Here, we look at a pair of stylish contenders from Europe.

OneShift Editorial Team
OneShift Editorial Team
18 Feb 2010
When it comes to dynamic handling, there's no model out there that can surpass the little Ford while the VW will better suit those who want a small car with a more premium and up market feel and driving manners.
What we like:
pros
Ford: Excellent handling
pros
engine punchier than the Polo's
pros
Kinetic Energy stylingVolkswagen: Efficient gearbox
pros
refinement
pros
ride quality
pros
brand image
pros
Golf inspired looks
What we dislike:
cons
Ford: Build quality lacking on the inside
cons
inefficient and power sapping gearboxVolkswagen: Not as sharp handling or fun to drive as the Ford
cons
engine a tad gutless

Despite its low price, the Polo isn't exactly stingy on standard kit or safety. The Euro NCAP five-star Polo comes with a plethora of airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, ASR, all-round electric windows, heated side mirrors, 15-inch alloys, factory fitted CD radio and so on as standard.

The Fiesta isn't shabby in the equipment stakes either. Standard in its arsenal include ISOFIX child seat anchors, twin front airbags, a factory fitted stereo and so on. Like the Polo, safety is also high on the Fiesta's agenda - it is yet another supermini that has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

At just under $70k each, this pair of superminis are neck and neck when it comes to price, with the Fiesta only marginally more affordable than the Polo.

When it comes to utility and performance, this pair can hardly match the Honda Jazz. But when it comes to dynamic handling, there's no model out there that can surpass the little Ford while the VW will better suit those who want a small car with a more premium and up market feel and driving manners.

The Polo has been a huge hit since it was launched back in November so much so that VW Singapore can't keep up the orders with sufficient supply - book a Polo now and you might need to wait some time before the car is delivered. For those who can't wait that long, the Ford Fiesta makes for the best alternative and competitor to the Polo.

Credits: Story and Photos by Raymond Lai

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