Story & Photos by Patrick Tulfo
IF you’re in the market for a new car and looking in the direction of the hotly contested sub-compact segment, it would really be a pity if you decide to skip the Volkswagen (VW) Polo Sedan.
This scribe was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to test both the Polo sedan and its sibling—the sporty looking VW hatch, which I reviewed last year and was greatly impressed. It was a good alternative for those who are lusting after its much more expensive stablemate the Golf. The only problem was it was cramped especially in the rear. Oddly though the sedan doesn’t suffer from this problem even though both cars are basically the same and only differ in body configuration. Aside from having a larger interior, the sedan also enjoys a bigger trunk space.
In terms of the interior, the sedan is also equipped with the same features found in its smaller sibling. The steering wheel, however, can be telescopically adjusted, but is devoid of a leather cover. The headlamps control is conveniently located on the left side of the steering wheel on the dashboard. The great sounding RCD 320 audio system is slightly oriented toward the driver for easier access to its controls. It can play CDs and read MP3, files as well. It also has a USB slot for connectivity to an external music source and Bluetooth for smartphones. The Livon fabric seat cover seems like it can endure the rigors of normal use and looks good, too. The same thing can be said about the hard texturized plastic that is used across the dashboard and on the doors. There is a total of six cupholders—that’s one more than its maximum number of five passengers, including the driver. The rear seat can also be folded to accommodate long objects. The air conditioner cools the cabin quickly even when the car is left under the sun for some time.
The test unit lent to me was devoid of any tint, so it’s safe to assume that tinted windows will cool the cabin faster. Safety-wise, Volkswagen uses a high-strength steel frame to make sure that it passes the stringent Euro standard for safety in case of a collision. Dual air bags together with the front and rear safety belts supplement the safety features. There’s also a dual-isofix latch in the rear for child seats, which VW sells separately. Last, the the anti-lock brake system comes standard. Exterior-wise, if the hatch is almost similar to the more upscale Golf, the sedan shares its looks with its relatively new and bigger brother the Jetta.
The famous VW logo is prominently displayed in the middle of the fascia. What are missing, though, are the fog lamps, which are standard on the hatch. The rounded rear houses a pair of taillamps that are also similar to the hatch. Aside from the VW logo, the model name Polo, as well as the engine displacement, are displayed for all to see. The sedan acquainted itself very well in the ride and handling department that is again similar to its more expensive hatch. The front MacPherson struts with stabilizer provided good steering feedback, while the rear with torsion beam soaked up most of the ruts and bumps.
The ride was on the firm side but not as jarring as you think. The sedan gets its motive force from a 1.6-liter in-line-four multipoint fuel injection gasoline engine. It’s good for 105 hp and 153 N-m of torque. Combined with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission, the car only needs a little over 12 seconds to reach 100 kph and a claimed top speed of 183 kph. It’s also Euro 4 compliant and was very frugal throughout its stay with me, needing only a refill once before I turned it over to VW.
Competitively priced at P840,000 (the TDI variant sells for P888,000), buyers will get an honest-to-goodness sedan that seems it was carved out of a solid piece of metal. While waiting for my unit, the sales agent at their showroom at the Fort did the unthinkable. A guy who stood at 6’1” and weighs about 190 lbs. literally hung on right door of the sedan to show that it is one of the toughest cars around. If his antics don’t convince buyers, then I don’t know what will.
Image credits: Patrick Tulfo