2009 Volkswagen Polo 5 (UK Version) review and pictures

Volkswagen Polo 5 (UK Version) review:

New Polo available to order now; first customer deliveries on 16 October

Stronger, safer, more efficient, more refined and more comfortable

Polo features new Volkswagen family face and bears resemblance to the Golf

Electronic Stabilisation Programme standard on all models

Volkswagen has announced prices for its new Polo model which is available to order today in UK Retailers. The first deliveries will take place on the car’s official ‘on sale’ date of 16 October. Prices start at £10,035 for the S 1.2-litre 60 PS five-door; the three-door model will be available in December.

The new Polo, the fifth generation launched in the supermini’s 34 year history, is the largest and most technically advanced, but it remains true to the brand’s core values of safety, reliability, quality and value for money. Despite the increase in size, the Polo is lighter than the model it replaces leading to improved fuel economy and emissions.

At launch the new Polo is available with a choice of five engines, three petrol and two diesel. These are a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre engines with 60 or 70 PS and a 1.4-litre 85 PS; plus two 1.6-litre common rail TDI units producing 75 or 90 PS. All engines comply with Euro V emissions legislation. A new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI unit will be offered from early in 2010.

In a break from the previous Polo line-up, the new generation is offered in four different trim levels and an ‘A/C’ model is offered for those requiring climate control. The new range consists of S, Moda (which is designed to appeal to a younger audience) and SE, and SEL at the top of the range. GTI and BlueMotion models will follow later in 2010. All models offer a high level of standard specification including four airbags, ABS and, for the first time, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) on every Polo.

Optional equipment traditionally associated with cars in higher classes is also offered on the Polo. Touchscreen satellite navigation, a DAB digital radio and electronic climate control are all available.

Penned under the control of the Volkswagen Group’s Head of Design, Walter de Silva, it’s little surprise and certainly no accident that the new Polo bears strong resemblance to the sixth generation Golf. Its ‘face’ is now in line with other products such as the Scirocco and as such the Polo now appears to be very much one of the new Volkswagen family.

Volkswagen anticipates UK Polo sales of around 7,000 units in 2009, increasing to around 37,000 in 2010.

New Polo 5dr pricing


S 1.2 60 PS 5 spd manual £10,035
S 1.2 70 PS 5 spd manual £10,645
S A/C 1.2 60 PS 5 spd manual £10,635
S A/C 1.2 70 PS 5 spd manual £11,245
Moda 1.2 60 PS 5 spd manual £11,385
Moda 1.2 70 PS 5 spd manual £11,995
Moda A/C 1.2 60 PS 5 spd manual £11,985
Moda A/C 1.2 70 PS 5 spd manual £12,595
SE 1.2 60 PS 5 spd manual £11,385
SE 1.2 70 PS 5 spd manual £11,995
SE 1.4 85 PS 5 spd manual £12,450
SE 1.4 85 PS 7 spd DSG £13,650
SE TDI 1.6 75 PS 5 spd manual £13,205
SEL 1.4 85 PS 5 spd manual £13,575
SEL 1.4 85 PS 7 spd DSG £14,775
SEL TDI 1.6 90 PS 5 spd manual £14,910