17 km/L Fuel Economy (10-15 Mode)

The Polo sits below the best-selling Golf. With its smaller size and engine, it's widely accepted by users who prioritize ease of use in urban environments. As the importer, Volkswagen Group Japan states, 'It condenses design, quality, environmental performance, safety, functionality, and comfort all at a high level within a compact body.' Its appeal lies in its all-rounder capability, echoing the Golf.

The latest Polo also boasts impressive economy. By adopting a small 1.4-liter engine and a 7-speed gearbox that helps keep engine speeds low at high speeds, it achieves a published 10-15 mode fuel economy of 17 km/L. While real-world mileage may not quite reach that figure, it's still astonishing to achieve such respectable numbers. The excellent fuel efficiency on highways is a hallmark of German engineering.

The 7-speed gearbox is Volkswagen's signature dual-clutch system, 'DSG.' By using two clutches, one for odd-numbered gears and one for even-numbered gears, it offers structural advantages such as faster shift timing and reduced fuel consumption during clutch engagement. In the Polo, the increased number of gears to seven allows for precise selection of the optimal gear according to engine speed, contributing to fuel efficiency from city driving to highway cruising.

Strengths: Technological Advancement and Refined Functional Design

Another notable feature of the new model is its functional design. The robust, well-built body and sharp, redesigned headlamps, which signify its place within the latest Volkswagen lineup, effectively differentiate it from rivals.

When searching for rivals within the import car segment, focusing on a body length under four meters, we find models such as the Mercedes A-Class (1.7-liter / 3885mm / from ¥2.69 million), MINI (1.4-liter / 3700mm / from ¥2.22 million), Peugeot 207 (1.4-liter / 4045mm / from ¥1.89 million), Renault Twingo (1.1-liter / 3600mm / from ¥1.98 million), and Fiat 500 (1.2-liter and 1.4-liter / 3545mm / from ¥1.95 million). While this class boasts formidable competitors, the Polo stands out with its technological sophistication, including the DSG gearbox, and its refined, functional design that appeals to Japanese tastes. Its price point is also quite competitive, which is another key characteristic.