2020 Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI review, test drive

What is it?

Very first introduced in India in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo is far more than a technology aged, but it has been in a constant condition of evolution. Over the decades, it has been run by no much less than 8 unique engines. Nevertheless, it is the 2020 Volkswagen Polo 1. TSI that receives the most accomplished engine nevertheless. 

An Global Motor of the Yr award winner, the 999cc immediate-injection TSI petrol is both densely packed with technology and finely engineered to deftly harmony the conflicting demands of both power and fuel economy. So how does it stack up on paper?

 

In comparison to the preceding 1.two TSI rated at 105hp, the new 1. makes 110hp. And even with its more compact potential, it makes an identical 175nm of torque, albeit from a  marginally bigger 1,750rpm (vs 1,500rpm for the 1.two TSI). The 1. TSI also has a cylinder much less and, therefore, a far more apples-to-apples comparison is with Hyundai’s 1. -litre, three-cylinder TGDI motor which develops 100hp and 172Nm of torque.

What is major is that the new 2020 Polo 1. TSI receives a six-pace manual gearbox for the initially time, to strengthen driver attraction. What is missing while – apart from a diesel possibility – is VW’s brief-shifting 7-pace DSG or twin-clutch automated. In its position, the new Polo GT will get (it is not in showrooms nevertheless) a common torque converter-geared up six-pace automobile.

 

Apart from the engine, tiny has improved on the 2020 Polo. VW’s newborn was given a facelift a short while ago, and even with its age, it doesn’t search dated. The correctly proportioned shape is timeless and however exudes that strong Teutonic truly feel. The crisp aspects however elicit extensive appreciative seems to be, and what provides to the attraction is the new GTI-like nose. There’s also an extra bit of cladding that stretches along the operating board and all-around to the rear, merging with what seems to be like fake diffuser. 

What is it like to generate?

Let us start out with overall performance, which by any yardstick is incredibly sturdy. The tug from three,000rpm to all-around six,000rpm delivers a sturdy press in the small of your back again, and change up a equipment and there is not considerably of a permit-up in overall performance. Acceleration is so sturdy, the 1.-litre does the -100kph dash in just nine.97sec, earning it a person of the fastest hatchbacks all-around. Only Fiat’s Abarth Punto was more quickly but with most of the very hot hatches discontinued, the Polo 1. TSI stands unchallenged.  The normal 1.two Swift arrives closest but it’s a however a comprehensive two seconds slower in the race to 100kph, and that’s even with its enormous one hundred ninety kg fat advantage. Also, uncover the appropriate road and the 1. TSI will strike a greatest pace of 192kph – presents you an idea of just how considerably grunt there is in the motor.

 

The 1. TSI is also a comprehensive second more rapidly to 100kph in contrast to the outgoing DSG- automated-geared up 1.two, and by the time you get to 160kph, the hole to the 1.two is far more than 6sec! Competitors for the Polo 1. TSI is far more likely to occur from Hyundai’s new Grand i10 Nios, which receives a 100hp turbo-petrol as very well. To give some reference, the Location run with the very same engine and a six-pace gearbox does the dash to 100kph in eleven.24sec.

The 1. TSI also pulls cleanly from small engine speeds, earning it light and effortless to generate in website traffic. Get off the clutch, even from as small as 1,100rpm in any equipment, and there is not as well considerably judder or hesitation – the Polo receives going easily. Acceleration, nevertheless, is a bit flat and power will not occur in sturdy right up until you move two,500rpm. So in-equipment acceleration is not incredibly sturdy, with 20-80kph in 3rd having twelve.3sec and 40-100kph in fourth having 14.7sec. To illustrate, the discontinued Baleno RS that also experienced a 1. turbo, did the very same in nine.48sec and twelve.53sec. 

Rowing by means of the gearbox to hold the engine on the boil provides immensely to the driving working experience and the very well-chosen equipment ratios squeeze the most out of this compact engine. The six-pace gearbox, nevertheless, is not a person of VW’s finest models it usually takes a bit of exertion to slot the very well-completed knob by means of the gate, and on situation feels a bit notchy.

 

Lopping off a person cylinder has also compromised refinement to some extent and the discordant beat of the three-cylinder engine is apparent. Idle is a bit lumpy and you can truly feel a couple pulses coming by means of the clutch The lack of a balancer shaft usually means it undoubtedly is not as smooth as Ford’s 1.5 three-cylinder Dragon – which is however the benchmark for refinement – and 1.two TSI entrepreneurs will evidently miss out on the silky smooth responses and seamless punch of the more substantial 4-cylinder device.

Nevertheless, where by the Polo 1. TSI’s hits it out of the park, once again, is all-around corners. Sure, the steering is light, but it is also immediate, slack-no cost and it weights up nicely as you go more rapidly. The new Polo also enters corners with a ton far more self-confidence. It effortlessly carries pace into corners, the switch-in is sharp, entire body command is respectable on its rigid springs, and the major wheels and grippy tyres genuinely allow for you to hold cornering speeds up. Use the sturdy mid-array of the engine to fly out of corners and you are guaranteed a major smile.

 

It even rides very well. There is a hint of stiffness in the springs and that keeps you conscious of medium-sized bumps, but the suspension manages to spherical-off sharp edges very nicely, and as opposed to previously, significant craters aren’t considerably of a difficulty both. Even the ground clearance is generous.

Keen drivers will genuinely take pleasure in the very well-rounded overall performance of the new Polo 1. TSI, which genuinely arrives collectively as a good driver’s car. In fact, for sheer driving pleasure, you won’t get anything far more entertaining for the dollars. 

 

With its more compact potential engine and manual gearbox, the VW Polo 1. TSI is also far more successful. The formal figure stands at 18.24kpl, which usually means a genuine-environment figure of amongst eleven and twelve on our town cycle.  

What is it like within? 

It is really no surprise that the 2020 Polo is incredibly familiar on the within. The cabin, in fact, feels like it has been carried over unaltered, with only a couple significant features added. Purists will appreciate the useful, strong and uncluttered design which, like the exterior, has stood the take a look at of time.

 

The six.5-inch touchscreen is not incredibly significant but the top quality of the exhibit and touch purpose is fantastic. In fact, using the method is very seamless, and Apple CarPlay works especially very well with it. Even bigger is not generally better.

People who appreciate driving will recognize the incredibly sporty and apparent instrument panel with its white-on-black numbering and the monotone central exhibit. And then there is the leather-based-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, a tactile working experience in itself. 

 

Also a little something you can’t very ignore is the Polo’s strong construct. The ‘thunk’ when you shut the door speaks volumes about the manner in which the car has been set collectively, and what also lends an air of top quality is that the buttons are crafted to a incredibly significant normal. In fact, top quality stages are so fantastic, the bits used on the within could easily move muster on a car or an SUV that’s twice the selling price of the Polo . . . and they frequently do. 

The grey-on-black themed cabin with the gunmetal grey inset, nevertheless, seems to be dull. Volkswagen has used chrome highlights and ‘piping’ sparingly, and with the seats completed in black as very well, the cabin evidently could have finished with some brightening up.

That aside, the driving situation is exceptional. The steering adjusts for reach and rake, the seat base is pleasant and broad, and while a bit far more shoulder aid would have been appreciated, seat comfort and ease, in basic, is incredibly fantastic. 

 

Ever given that the Polo was introduced, rear-seat area hasn’t been its strongest issue, and that fact has been additional accentuated with the arrival of competitiveness with far more spacious back again seats. Nevertheless, that mentioned, the Polo’s rear seat isn’t a poor position to be, particularly if you aren’t incredibly tall. Thigh aid is fantastic, the cushioning is just appropriate and the backrest is nicely reclined. You do miss out on a central elbow rest, and while there are air-con vents, there are no USB slots only a twelve-volt socket is current. 

The boot is pleasant and extensive, and at 280 litres, it is decently sized as well. People wanting for extra cargo area can flip the rear seat down.

When it arrives to kit, VW has deleted some necessary merchandise. There’s no rear parking digicam, no ESP (security command) and no LEDs. And, as opposed to the Hyundai Nios 1. turbo, there is no wi-fi charging both. What you do get on the 2020 Polo Highline Furthermore are stuff like a cooled glovebox, cruise command, voice instructions, and a person-touch power home windows. 

Must you acquire a person?

If you happen to be wanting for area, comfort and ease and practicality, the new 2020 Polo 1. TSI is not the hatchback for you. Nevertheless, change your gaze to the driver’s seat (which is where by most entrepreneurs in this course sit), and the 2020 Polo suddenly emerges as a entrance runner. Sure, the engine needs to be labored to get the most out of it, it is not very as smooth as a 4-cylinder, and some significant kit has been deleted. However, if you are wanting at enjoying your time at the rear of the wheel, the gracefully ageing Polo with a new heart is a compelling package. 

Outright overall performance is what sets this car apart, and appropriate now there is no other more quickly mainstream hatch. It’s secure at pace, loves to tackle corners, and goads you to generate it quickly. Put merely, this is a brilliant driver’s car with the ability to plant a major smile on your face. 

 

Incorporating to the truly feel-fantastic component is Volkswagen’s famous construct top quality. It feels strong both within and out and you know that even following five decades of difficult utilization, it won’t search the even worse for dress in. 

At Rs 8.02 lakh, it is not as well significantly off the car that at present dominates this course – the Swift ZXi+ at Rs 7.58 lakh. For the very same dollars, you can get a compact SUV as well but that won’t be half as considerably enjoyable when the newness wears off. So, if you are wanting for a hatchback that’s both enjoyable to generate and incredibly useable on a every day basis, the VW Polo 1. TSI is the a person for you.

Also see:

2020 Volkswagen Polo 1. TSI video overview

Minimal-edition Volkswagen Polo TSI, Vento TSI introduced

VW Polo TSI vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo: Selling price, technical specs comparison

Autocar Drag Working day: Ford Figo vs Volkswagen Polo Drag race video