The 2018 Volkswagen Polo marked the beginning of the sixth iteration of VW’s hugely successful small hatchback, with the first Polo having originally made its debut way back in 1975. This version of the Polo is an entirely modern offering, sharing its platform and engine range with other small cars from the Volkswagen Group, including the Seat Ibiza and Arona, Skoda Fabia and Kamiq, and of course, the VW T-Cross. It’s one of the more civilised cars in the supermini class, with smart design, strong interior quality, impressive comfort and refinement, and a spacious cabin.

Strengths:

Comfortable and quiet on the road
Cabin does well for space and practicality
Feels posh compared with rivals

Weaknesses:

Some reliability issues
Diesel engines sound a bit rough
Some rivals are more fun

Is the 2018 VW Polo better than the 2018 Ford Fiesta?

If you’re looking for a small hatchback that majors on class and comfort, then there’s little that can live with the Polo thanks to its forgiving ride and posh, roomy interior. It’s super-quiet on the motorway, too. If you’re after a bit of fun, though, consider the Ford Fiesta. It’s exceptionally satisfying to drive and has an even more comfortable ride than the Polo, even if it can’t match its rival for cabin quality.