Volkswagen Polo

Polo is a very grown up supermini that exudes quality, though rivals offer a sharper, sportier drive

On the road price: £7,612 - £14,252
For: Mature feel, quality, refinement, pleasant cabin
Against: Soft suspension, underpowered entry-level engines

Driving:The Polo is a very grown up supermini. Ride quality is excellent, with the softly suspended supermini smoothing out city centre bumps well. It feels very much like a mini Golf, though this does mean that, while handling is safe and secure, there is more roll through corners than sportier rivals, and driver involvement is lacking. Steering is light and a little lacking in feel. Smaller petrol engines need working hard and are fun when you're in the mood, frustrating when you're not. Larger petrol units are better and diesels satisfyingly torquey, if a little rattly. Really, the extra pace of the Polo suits its long distance cruising ability well.

Marketplace:The Polo range is large and all-inclusive - and prices are, nowadays, much more competitive than you might think. Most variants come with air conditioning and the range of E, S, SE and Sport models is straightforward. There is a huge range of engines, and later this year there will be a 150bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged GTI variant too, with plenty of Golf GTI styling cues. A strong seller, the Polo battles with the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio and Peugeot 207 - though competition also comes from the Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia that share the platform it's based upon. Generally, the other VW brands offer lower prices and a little more equipment.

Owning:The Polo remains a supermini that feels a cut above the rest. Build quality is excellent and the smart dashboard has a commanding, grown up feel. A chunky steering wheel and VW's trademark blue instrument lighting add a classy feel and firm, supportive seats are very comfortable. Space in the rear is reasonable and the boot is practical. A facelift in 2005 brought Golf-style headlamps, Phaeton-style circular tail-lights and side indicator repeaters mounted in the door mirrors. All engines are economical and the inclusion of brake assist and ESP stability control on all variants is a real safety boon, even if the Euro-NCAP crash score isn't class-leading. Servicing may be a little more costly than some rivals though - but excellent retained values make it a safe place to put your money.

SEAT Ibiza......USED

It looks great and can be yours for a bargain – but what should you watch out for on the Spanish supermini...?

Make sure the SEAT Ibiza is on your shortlist if you are in the market for a second-hand supermini. It’s stylish and affordable, and shares its chassis and mechanicals with the Volks­wagen Polo and Skoda Fabia. You get a wide choice of powerplants, a huge variety of trim levels and the option of three or five-door bodyshells. The fun three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol is very common, yet larger-capacity Ibizas are equally desirable. Our comprehensive guide helps take you through the maze of models.HistoryThe Ibiza dates back to the Eighties, but the current generation arrived in April 2002, with a choice of 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines or a 1.9 TDI diesel. A year later, the 1.4 TDI joined the range, and within a month there was a 2.0 Sport, too. The hot FR (For­mula Racing) was added in February 2004, with the option of 150bhp 1.8T petrol or 130bhp 1.9 TDI power. In May of the same year, an even faster Cupra appeared in showrooms, with 178bhp 1.8T petrol or 158bhp 1.9 TDI engines. At the same time, the line-up was comprehensively revised, with the original S and SE renamed Reference and Stylance respectively. A facelifted car was launched in April 2006; it had improved standard equipment, yet cost less than before.What to look forIf you’re considering an early, low-mileage car, get the cambelt changed straight away. Although replacement schedules are based on mileage rather than age, a five-year-old belt is bad news. If you do have a new one fitted, ensure the tensioner is renewed, too, because they can fail and throw the belt off. The torquey diesels offer excellent economy, but command a hefty premium, so don’t overlook cheaper petrol models, supply of which is much more plentiful.AlternativesThe Honda Jazz has long been our class favourite. It was voted the best car in Driver Power 2004, and has consistently finished in the overall top 10 ever since. A firm ride and rarity on used forecourts count against it, but it’s still hard to beat. The Ibiza’s Skoda Fabia brother is another great car. It’s reliable and very cheap to run – attributes shared with the Toyota Yaris, Fiat Panda and Hyundai Getz.

Etra Info:
RecallsFeb 2005: There is a problem with the bolts breaking on the Ibiza’s fuel pump cover. Many have been reported as faulty on examples built from March 2004 to the end of August 2004.Driver Power 2007 verdict The SEAT finished 87th out of 100 in our Driver Power 2007 owner satisfaction survey. Key complaints related to the car’s bone-shaking suspension – which is explained by the super-firm set-up of the popular FR and Cupra models.
Reader reviewRuth Harris from Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire has owned her 2004 Ibiza 1.4 from new, racking up 22,000 miles in that time. “On balance, I’m a fan of the Ibiza,” she told us. “But it hasn’t been perfect.“Squeaky trim has proved a nightmare to fix, and the electrics have been tricky, too – although the dealer has been utterly professional. It’s good to drive, and well equipped for the money, but the 1999 VW Polo I had before was a quieter and more reliable car.” Running costsAll versions of the Ibiza need servicing every 10,000 miles or 12 months, and maintenance alternates between minor and major check-ups. A minor service for a petrol model will cost around £125, while diesel checks are likely to set you back slightly more, at £170. Equivalent prices for major attention are £160 and £200 respectively. However, expect to pay more at the 40,000-mile mark (£220-£240 depending on the unit). While the 1.2-litre petrol engine is chain-driven, all other powerplants have cambelts. These have to be replaced at 80,000 miles on the FR diesel, at a cost of £289, at 40,000 miles on PD oil-burners (£280) and at 60,000 miles on all other cars (£212-£313).

from: www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews