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Volkswagen Polo 2019 review

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Volkswagen Polo 2019 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The sixth-generation Volkswagen Polo (Mk6) landed in the UK in late 2017 on the MQB-A0 platform, and 2019 cars sit right in the heart of the range — big enough inside to embarrass some Golfs, with the quality feel that made the Polo the default premium supermini. Prices opened at £12,600, and the UK range ran from S and SE through SEL, R-Line, Beats and the limited Match edition, topped by the 200PS GTI.

The engine to have is the 1.0 TSI turbo triple: 95PS with 175Nm, 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds, a 116mph top speed and a claimed 62.8mpg with 103g/km of CO2. A 65PS non-turbo 1.0 opens the range (0-62 in a leisurely 15.5 seconds), a 115PS 1.0 TSI adds a sixth gear and a DSG option, and the GTI's 2.0 TSI delivers proper hot-hatch pace. A five-speed manual is standard on the 95; a 7-speed DSG is optional.

The Polo's trump card is space and polish: a 351-litre boot is huge for a supermini, four adults fit in comfort, and the cabin feels a class above a Fiesta's. An 8-inch touchscreen with App-Connect (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) was standard from SE trim, Front Assist autonomous braking came on every car, and Euro NCAP awarded five stars back in 2017.

On the used market the 2019 Polo is a blue-chip buy: strong residuals, cheap insurance (group 13 for the 1.0 TSI 95), ULEZ-compliant petrol engines and VW's vast parts network. Check DSG service history on automatics (an oil change every 40,000 miles) and test the air-con on pre-facelift cars — the climate blend motors can fail — but otherwise it is one of the safest used superminis you can buy.

UK price from: £12,600

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Specifications

Engine	1.0L TSI turbo petrol
Power	95 PS
Torque	175 Nm
0-62 mph	10.8 seconds
Top speed	116 mph
Transmission	5-speed manual / 7-speed DSG
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	62.8 mpg (combined, claimed)
CO2 emissions	103 g/km
Boot space	351 litres
Kerb weight	1,098 kg
Insurance group	13

Features

1.0 TSI petrol (95PS) — 0-62mph in 10.8s, 62.8mpg claimed
1.0 MPI (65PS), 1.0 TSI (115PS) and 2.0 TSI GTI (200PS) options
8-inch touchscreen with App-Connect smartphone integration
Front Assist autonomous emergency braking — standard on every trim
351-litre boot (1,125 litres with seats folded)
Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring (options and packs)
Beats audio upgrade with 300W amplifier (Beats trim)

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£32.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Oil filter	£8.99
Cabin pollen filter	£13.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£18.99
12V battery	£64.99
DSG oil + filter kit	£89.99	7-speed DSG service every 40,000 miles

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Class-leading interior space and a huge 351-litre boot
1.0 TSI is smooth, refined and genuinely economical
Five-star Euro NCAP with strong safety kit as standard
Blue-chip residuals and cheap insurance

Cons

Dull to drive next to a Fiesta
Options were pricey — base S trim is sparse
The 65PS base engine is painfully slow
DSG needs an oil service every 40,000 miles

Frequently asked questions

Which 2019 Polo engine should I buy?

The 1.0 TSI 95 is the sweet spot: quick enough, refined and cheap to run. Avoid the 65PS MPI unless the car will never leave town; the GTI is great but costs far more to buy and insure.

What mpg does the Polo 1.0 TSI really do?

VW claimed 62.8mpg combined; expect high-40s to low-50s in real mixed driving — still among the best figures in the supermini class.

Is the Polo bigger than the Fiesta?

Yes — noticeably. The Mk6 Polo is 4,053mm long with a 351-litre boot, making it one of the roomiest superminis on sale and much closer to a Golf than a Fiesta for interior space.

Does the 2019 Polo need a DSG service?

Yes, if it has the 7-speed DSG automatic: VW specifies an oil and filter change every 40,000 miles. Budget around £190 at a specialist and walk away from cars with no record of it.

Is a used 2019 Polo a good buy?

One of the safest used supermini buys: strong residuals, cheap insurance, proven engines and cheap, plentiful parts. Check the air-con works on pre-facelift cars — the climate blend motors can fail.