Test drive of the new Volkswagen Polo—Experiencing Volkswagen's inherent strength

Its Size and Price Are a Perfect Fit for Japan

In addition to the excellent engine, the handling is superb. The chassis is well-tuned, providing stable cornering performance on winding roads, whether ascending or descending, at any speed, without a hint of instability.

Test Drive of the New Volkswagen Polo—Experiencing Volkswagen's Inherent Strength | Volkswagen

The steering is precise, and with minimal body roll, the car corners enjoyably. Even on roads with a series of tight curves, or perhaps especially on such roads, I was impressed by how capable the Polo is. It truly is a fine automobile.

Engine noise is well-suppressed, contributing to overall quietness, giving it a mature feel. It possesses a genuine sense of quality. While not overtly designed for performance, it delivers an enjoyable drive on any road. This, I believe, is the true strength of Volkswagen.

The dedicated seats feature a design with more pronounced side bolsters than other grades, and the test model was upholstered in a light gray fabric with a geometric pattern. These seats provide excellent support and reduce fatigue.

As this is a minor update to the previous Polo, the wheelbase (2,550mm), overall width (1,750mm), and height (1,450mm) remain unchanged. Only the overall length has increased by 10 to 25mm due to changes in the bumper design (the R-Line and other grades also feature different bumper designs).

The driver assistance systems include "Travel Assist" for semi-autonomous driving on highways, "Side Assist Plus" for lane changes, parking assistance, rear traffic alert, and "IQ.LIGHT" LED matrix headlights (standard or optional depending on the grade).

Fuel economy is rated at 17.1 km/liter (WLTC). It is advertised to achieve 19.7 km/liter on highways. With a curb weight of 1.1 tons, the car offers good performance and contributes to its impressive fuel efficiency.

Pricing starts at 2,572,000 yen for the "TSI Active Basic," 2,821,900 yen for the "TSI Active," 3,245,000 yen for the "TSI Style," and 3,299,000 yen for the "TSI R-Line." Considering its size and price, it seems well-suited for the Japanese market and should make for a wise purchase.

Volkswagen Polo TSI R-Line