Volkswagen Polo: Variants Explained

The VW Polo is available in a choice of five variants with four engine options and two for transmission

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The Volkswagen Polo holds one of the most extensive list of variants among all VW products in India. For starters, it gets five variants - Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, Highline Plus and GT. Then, it gets a choice of a 1.2-litre MPI petrol engine, 1.2-litre TSI petrol and a 1.5-litre TDI diesel which is available in two states of tune.

Prices of the VW Polo start from Rs 5.42 lakh and go up till Rs 9.56 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the GT TDI motor. But which of these should you go for? Find out.

Volkswagen Polo: Specifications

DIMENSIONS (L X W X H)	3971 X 1682 X 1478
Wheelbase	2470 mm
Ground clearance	165 mm
Seating capacity	5
Boot Space	280 litres

Volkswagen Polo: Engine Options

ENGINE	1.2-LITRE MPI, 3-CYLINDER PETROL	1.2-LITRE TSI, 4-CYLINDER PETROL	1.5-LITRE TDI, 4-CYLINDER DIESEL
Engine Displacement	1198cc	1197cc	1498cc
Transmission	5-speed manual	7-speed DSG	5-speed manual
Max Power	75PS	105PS	90PS/110PS
Max Torque	110Nm	175Nm	230Nm/250Nm
Fuel Efficiency (Claimed)	17 kmpl	17.21kmpl	22kmpl/21.49kmpl

Volkswagen Polo Trendline - Value for money petrol variant

Prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

Petrol - Rs 5.42 lakh

Diesel - Rs 6.93 lakh

Features

• Dual-beam Halogen headlights finished in black

• Body-coloured bumpers, outside door handles and mirrors

• Heat insulating glass all around

• 14 inch steel wheels with full wheel cover

• ORVM integrated blinkers

• 3 grab handles

• Radio preparations

• Black and grey interior theme

• Cup holders and door bins

• Driver side dead pedal with flat bottomed steering wheel

• Dual front airbags and ABS

• Front disc brakes

• Height-adjustable head restraints

• Emergency exit

• Rear Fog lamps

• Air-conditioning

• Height-adjustable driver's seat

• Front power windows

• Steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment

• 14 inch steel spare wheel

Should you buy it?

If you are on a budget and you’ve shortlisted the Polo, the base Trendline variant makes sense because in terms of basic features it performs well as VW hasn’t cut any corners. The only misses appear to be rear power windows, parking sensors, electrically adjustable ORVMs, audio system, and remote central locking. Some of these missing features can be had post purchase without spending much. Diesel buyers note: The price difference between petrol and diesel Polo is around Rs 1.5 lakh, which is a bit on the higher side. Related: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Teased For The First Time

Volkswagen Polo Comfortline - Worthy upgrade from Trendline for petrol buyers; diesel too expensive

Prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

Petrol - Rs 6.11 lakh

Diesel - Rs 7.84 lakh

Features

• 15 inch steel wheels with full wheel covers

• Ambient lights with theatre dimming effect

• Parcel tray

• Cooled glovebox

• Front fog lamps

• Anti-pinch power windows

• Audio system with CD player, Bluetooth, iPod, phonebook sync, USB, Aux-in, SD card, 4 speakers

• Electrically adjustable ORVM

• Opening and closing of windows with key remote

• Monochrome multi-function display

• Power windows with one-touch operation (front,rear)

• Speed sensing door locks

• Rear defogger with windshield wash and wiper

• Remote locking

Should you buy it?

The Comfortline variant is available at a premium of Rs 91,000 for diesel and Rs 69,000 for petrol over the Trendline variant. Since both the petrol and diesel models gain the same features from the previous variant, the Rs 91,000 premium from Trendline to Comfortline for the diesel Polo appears steep. The price difference between the petrol and diesel Polo in Comfortline variant goes up from around Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 1.7 lakh! Prospective Polo buyers who want to opt for the diesel engine for its lower running costs should either look at other options or even give the petrol Polo a try. The incremental cost for the petrol variant is justified. The Polo Comfortline gets almost all the basic equipment you’d expect from a premium hatchback.

Volkswagen Polo Highline - Skip it for the Highline Plus

Prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

Petrol - Rs 7.02 lakh

Diesel - Rs 8.55 lakh

Features

• 15 inch ‘TOSA’ alloy wheels

• Chrome detailing on the front grille

• Cornering lights

• Brushed aluminium and chrome finish on dashboard

• Desert beige fabric

• Electrically foldable ORVM

• Auto climate control

• Cruise control

• Leather wrapped steering wheel with chrome and piano black finish

• 7-inch touchscreen with voice command

• SMS viewer

• Rear parking sensors

• Mirrorlink, Android auto, App connect and Apple CarPlay

• Steering integrated audio controls

Should you buy it?

The additional features of the Highline variant turn the Polo into a modern-day premium hatchback which has everything you need and some more. For Polo petrol buyers, the incremental cost of Rs 91,000 from Comfortline to Highline variant is steep. The search of a value-for-money petrol variant of the Polo, therefore, ends at Comfortline.

It’s hard to recommend the Polo to those who want to buy a diesel hatchback for lower running costs given the big price difference between the petrol and diesel models. For those for whom the Highline variant is an emotional buy, why stop at Highline -- check out the next variant instead.

Volkswagen Polo Highline Plus- Polo fans, rejoice!

Prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

Petrol - Rs 7.24 lakh

Diesel - Rs 8.78 lakh

Features

• 16 inch ‘PORTAGO’ alloy wheels

• Seat fabric ‘Splendor’ and leatherette bolster

• Auto-dimming IRVM

• Rain-sensing wipers

• Front centre armrest with rear AC vents

Should you buy it?

This variant is available at a premium of Rs 22,000 for petrol and Rs 23,000 for the diesel variant. The features on offer are worth the premium but aren’t essential, to be honest. But if you don’t mind paying the extra, you can get additional comfort for the driver as well as rear occupants on this variant at a marginal cost. Related: Volkswagen Ameo: Variants Explained

Volkswagen Polo GT - Because money can buy power!

Prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

TSI - Rs 9.20 lakh

TDI - Rs 9.34 lakh

Features

• Electronic Stabilisation Programme (TSI)

• Hill-hold control (TSI)

• 16-inch, 'Estrada' alloy wheels

• Outside mirrors and rear spoiler in Deep Black

• 'GT' badge on front grille and doorstep garnish

• Superior 'Milan' Titanschwarz fabric upholstery

• Aluminium pedal cluster

Who should buy it?

The Polo GT is the one that gets enthusiasts drooling. While new rivals have cropped up for the Polo GT, it still continues to hold its own with a choice of 1.2-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TDI engines which make over 100PS of maximum power. The Polo GT can’t really be called value for money. Rather, it is for those who look for pure driving pleasure and exhilarating fun from a hatchback.

Apart from its performance, the Polo GT TSI also makes sense for those who want to splurge on a premium automatic hatchback. The Polo GT TSI’s turbo-petrol engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG, which is undoubtedly one of the more sophisticated transmissions available on any car under Rs 10 lakh.

Did you check out the latest sixth-gen Polo? Read about it here.

Here's an SUV based on the new Polo that might come to India.

Source: cardekho.com