2009 Volkswagen Polo review

[VolkswagenDubai]

The VW Polo has gone through a classy revamp in recent years, evolving from a poor man’s Golf, into a well-respected contender in the small hatchback market, with its own distinct identity.

It is possible to regard the Polo as shrink-to-fit version of the world-popular Golf, and as far as VW goes, that isn’t a bad thing, as the Golf’s reputation for quality and reliability is very hard to beat, regardless of who you are. But, with the Polo you do get a slightly different proposition and driving experience to that of the Golf, thanks mainly to its size and stature.

This stiff, sharp, pointy little car, with a wheel at each corner, built from the ground up onto a tight and lithe chassis offers a more energetic driver rewarding levels or grip and pleasantly flat levels of body roll, and VW are more than happy to urge you to go out and enjoy their Polo; if only it had a little more pep to go with it’s perk. You see the two engines choices offered here in the Middle East aren’t really up to the high-speed action, even if you are.

2009 Volkswagen PoloThe 1.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engines make the same amount of torque, at 126Nm, although one will stir-up 75bhp and the other 100bhp. Unfortunately none of these figures are big and bold enough stir-up your blood, weighed down, as the Polo is, by modern-day safety features and interior comforts. Even taking the five-speed manual gear box option over the four-speed auto will not see you setting the scenery alight in any way, shape or form.

High quality interiors are now very much synonymous with the VW brand and the premium feeling plastics and fabrics to be found in the Polo follow that flawless form.

2009 Volkswagen PoloStandard equipment within these interiors now includes a CD/radio stereo system, power windows and power mirrors. Safety systems, on top of the high crash-rated body shell, are your usual ABS brakes, Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), and dual front airbags. But, if you want side airbags, curtain airbags and the Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), you’ll be paying up some extra cash.

The driving dynamics, chassis grip, and higher segment class and style are all there with the VW Polo, but the rather watery engines only manage to remind you that you are only in a small hatchback car. And quite a pricey one at that, too.

2009 Volkswagen PoloSpecification

Body Type Engine (litres) Power (bhp) Torque (Nm) Transmission

Hatchback 1.4 75 128 M/A

1.4 100 126 M/A

Price Range (AED) 53,000

SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2009-volkswagen-polo-2/