Name: Volkswagen Polo (2017 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen Polo
Rating: 75.0

Summary

The Volkswagen Polo is a small supermini-class five-door hatchback. The current model was launched at the end of 2017 and has become one of the best-selling cars in the UK.

The Volkswagen Polo has received generally good scores from the UK media, but there is more variation between the best and worst scores than for the Ford Fiesta. It is generally praised for high levels of build quality and general refinement.

There is a hot-hatch version called the Polo GTI, which has a 55% rating that the regular Polo easily surpasses, most reviewers concluding that the Volkswagen Polo’s mild-mannered maturity is not the perfect fit for a hot hatch spin-off model.

A facelifted model arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021, with minor upgrades to trims and specifications. As of January 2025, the Polo holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 75%, which makes it one of the top-ranked small cars on sale.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £18,855 on-road

Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: Autumn 2021
Updated model due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 8 / 10
“Anyone looking for a quality supermini that they want to get into, enjoy driving and not have to think about, should certainly check out the Polo.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Polo remains an impressively capable supermini, offering plenty of comfort, refinement and big-car features.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Polo shows how sophisticated the humble supermini can get.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic R-Line
Score: 6 / 10
“While it isn’t as fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta or as fast as a Polo GTI, it sums up everything we love about the standard car – in a racier package. It is expensive, however.”
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Car+

Score: 8 / 10
“If you want sharp looks, plenty of tech and an undemanding driving experience crossed with a solid gold (ok, now slightly tarnished) image and lots of space (for a supermini), the new VW Polo is going to be tough to beat.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Polo was already one of the best small cars on the market, and the addition of a more modern look and additional standard equipment have only solidified its position near the top of this class. With its roominess, refinement and comfort, it ticks all the boxes that matter from a small car.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Spacious, handsome and good to drive, with sophisticated equipment and options, the Volkswagen Polo impresses.” (Tom Jervis)
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Polo is a small car that’s comfortable to drive and has a spacious, plush cabin, but it’s far from exciting to drive.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual 95hp SE
Score: 7.9 / 10
“Typically Volkswagen in the approach of gentle improvement, the new Polo is better than its predecessor in every way, and a classy option.”
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Honest John+

Score: 10 / 10
“Efficient, comfortable and practical, the Polo is more Golf-like than ever before and certainly raises the bar for the once humble small hatchback.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Polo is the default choice for parents buying a car for their children, and pensioners downsizing from something larger.”
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Motors+

Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Polo offers a practical cabin, excellent refinement for a supermini, and lots of standard safety kit.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Polished Polo is well built and spacious, with an extensive range”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Highline
“Volkswagen’s supermini is no longer mini. It’s now a foot longer than the original version of its bigger-brother Golf — and larger than the Golf Mk IV, which sold until 2003.”
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The Sunday Times+

Score: 6 / 10
“For a small car, it’s extremely polished and refined.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s a sizeable leap, and enough to shove the Volkswagen Polo up to the upper reaches of the supermini order.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: March 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 70%

Notes on safety rating

The Volkswagen Polo was originally tested by Euro NCAP in November 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. The facelifted 2021 Polo was tested in early 2022, which saw it awarded a fresh five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s tougher new tests.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Volkswagen Polo has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. If the Polo is selected for assessment by Green NCAP, we will publish the results here.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 357
Average repair cost: £491.25
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Volkswagen Polo has a good reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided to The Car Expert by our partner MotorEasy. This covers both the current-generation Polo range and previous models.

There are two main areas of concern for the Polo – its engine and suspension. Engine repairs can be expensive, with an average repair cost of around £800, while suspension faults usually cost around £300. Also of note are a few gearbox problems, for which the average repair bill was more than £1,400.

If you’re looking at buying a used Volkswagen Polo, make sure any extended warranty you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	49 mpg	C	46 – 51 mpg	B – C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	123 g/km	A	118 – 139 g/km	A – B
Diesel models	127 g/km	A	127 – 127 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	9	A	1 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£129	A
Year 2	£380	A
Year 3	£611	A
Year 4	£820	A
Year 5	£1,119	A
Overall	£3,059	A

The Volkswagen Polo has a running cost report that’s mostly good. Insurance and road tax should be very cheap, as should scheduled servicing costs for the first five years.

The only disappointment is the biggest running cost of all – fuel consumption. A score of ‘C’ is average, which is disappointing for a supermini-sized hatchback. By comparison, the Toyota Yaris gets an ‘A’, representing a significant annual saving.