It is not only the engine that has been scaled down in Polos with a 1.0 liter engine.
If you order a rental car from one of the large rental car companies, you may drive off in a Polo. Many experience the Polo for the first time as a rental car. Unfortunately, one might say, - because even though the rental car companies have several types of Polo, most people choose the cheapest one. "No point in paying more for the same product!" What many people are not aware of is that there are relatively large differences between models with the smallest engines and those with larger engines. They are two completely different cars, even though they look the same on the outside.
Driving a Polo with 90 HP and above is like driving a slightly scaled-down Golf. Personally, I think it is the best car in its class in terms of driving pleasure. If you choose a Polo with a 1.0 liter engine, for example the 3-cylinder MPI engine with 60 horses (6C), you will, however, get a different chassis than the 90 horse. The differences make the two cars feel like two different cars to drive.
What differences are we talking about?
Volkswagen has not been particularly open about the differences between the small and the larger Polos. The same applies to the sister model Skoda Fabia. Skoda is equally reticent with information.
Technical specifications from Volkswagen tell about differences in tire dimensions and brakes. The smallest models have drum brakes at the rear, while larger models have disc brakes both front and rear. I have searched a bit skruvat.no and car wreckers, and have also found differences in the following parts: Front brake discs, front and rear springs, front (upper and lower) and rear stabilizer bars, and rear axle. One might think that the changes in the chassis are necessary because of different engines. I have no doubt that Volkswagen is doing this to be able to lower the prices of the smallest Polos and make them more competitive.
I wish Volkswagen had been more honest about the differences between the two variants. This is important consumer information that should have been in the brochure under technical specifications.
In terms of driving, the larger Polo feels firmer, and behaves more sportingly on the road. You have to provoke it a lot to create unsafe situations. The smallest Polo leans more and is therefore easier to provoke to the limit of the unsafe. Extreme situations can thus be experienced as more frightening in the smallest Polo than in the larger one. But let me also add that all Polos are safe cars.
In addition to the engine and chassis, there are also differences in equipment level. The most noticeable difference is interior noise. The smallest Polo I recently drove had a Spanish trim level called Edition. It had noticeably more rumbling noise from the road than in the larger Polos, especially from the rear through the boot. Hard plastic on the doors instead of fabric covers is also perceived as rather simple. The seats, on the other hand, are fine on all models.
But the 1.0-litre engine is sharper than you might think, and actually a positive surprise. It holds its speed nicely at European motorway speeds. With 4 adults in the car, you have to shift a little more often on hills than you would with a larger engine. The soundstage is good, even if you hear the 3-cylinder sound when you step on the gas. The gearbox is very easy to use, and the gear changes are very easy.
It's about price.
The price of the Polo 1.0 starts at NOK 192. Then you get a lot of car for the money. You get good interior space, city emergency brake function with Front Assist, air conditioning, and more. It costs 000 to upgrade to the 35-horsepower engine and higher level of equipment. Looking down the model range, it also costs 000 to upgrade from a normally equipped "Up!" with the same 90 engine. Thus, the smallest Polo covers an important price segment. If you are looking for a new car for the summer, and have the opportunity to put 35 on the table, it is difficult to get past the smallest Polo. However, I would recommend you to be sparing in choosing from the equipment list. What you really need is the upgraded chassis you get with the 000 horse. If you want equipment, I'd rather go up to the 1.0 horse rather than upgrade the smallest Polo. You should not choose a lot of equipment before the price advantage disappears.
The Polo is a sensible car choice. It is safe and just the right size. It will give you a completely problem-free car maintenance for many years. If you sell it after 10 years, you will still get a good price for it. Those who know the Polo as a rental car may associate the car with sun and sea on a southern holiday. It's not that bad. The Polo is a great car to drive to the beach - and for all other activities throughout the year.
Just make sure you test drive the same model you intend to buy.
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