
Review: Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009)
Rating:
Facelifted Polo. Wide choice of models available.
Others offer more space, extra versatility and a more enjoyable drive for less money. 1.4 engine prone to severe bore wear after 3 - 4 years.
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Recently Added To This Review
Report of bonded brake linings coming off the shoes in rear brake drums of a 2007 VW Polo 1.4TDI after 43,000 miles. Read more
Report of 2007 VW Polo 1.4TDI BlueMotion needing a new DPF and associated sensors at 127,000 miles. Cost £1,641.43. Read more
Report of 2008 VW Polo 1.4TDI throwing a con rod at 68k miles. Could dbe due to oil pump drive failure. Read more
Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009): At A Glance
- Insurance Group 8
- On average it achieves 89% of the official MPG figure
What does a Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009) cost?
List Price from | £14,240 |
---|---|
Buy new from | £12,054 |
Contract hire from | £161.68 per month |
What's the Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009) like to drive?
- Engines range from 1.2 55 to 1.9 TDI
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 27–82 mpg
74.3mpg combined is a bold claim for a 1.4 diesel. 83.1 at 56mph is even more remarkable. As, of course, is 99g/km C02 which not only gets you off Congestion Tax from February 2008, it gets you off annual vehicle tax altogether.
Underneath, this is basically the same Polo tested in January 2002. Its had a facelift since then, and now sports different headlights. VW has added some aerodynamic tweaks, including a closed front grille a lower front spoiler, a tiny rear spoiler and sat it a bit closer to the road. The car gets 5J x 14 alloy wheels with unfashionable deep section and narrow 165/70 hard compound tyres. But the main changes are under the bonnet.
There, the 1.4 litre belt-cam 3 cylinder TDI engine has a variable vane turbocharger and Electronic Gas Recirculation to both increase economy and reduce emissions. While the final drive has been lengthened with revised ratios for 3rd, 4th and 5th that offer 35mph per 1,000rpm in 5th.
In theory, that should not have done as much as it has. Theres no fancy system that shuts off the engine when you stop, no clutched alternator, no special battery.
Inside, its fairly plain. Standard soft plastic covered steering wheel, radio c/d, but nothing fancy. Not even air-conditioning. A/c is part of the spec of the Bluemotion 2 but costs you an extra 5g/km CO2 and £35 a year tax.
Get moving and at first it feels long geared in 1st and 2nd. The variable turbo means plenty of torque from quite low revs so dont need to use many to get going. And its not hard to keep it in the 1,500rpm to 2,500rpm rev range.
Idling the engine while taking snaps and tonking down the M3 were hardly conducive to good fuel economy, which the computer showed me was 55mpg over 45 miles. So I wondered how soon it would take for that fabled 83mpg at a steady 56mph to haul the average up past 60.
The answer was just 10 miles. And after another 5 miles Id got it to 63mpg. That meant that to raise the average from 55mpg to 63mpg over those last 15 miles I must have averaged more than 80mpg.
Im convinced.
Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
---|---|---|---|
1.2 | 48–49 mpg | 14.5–14.9 s | 138–140 g/km |
1.2 55 | 47 mpg | 17.5 s | 143 g/km |
1.2 60 | 49 mpg | 16.5 s | 138 g/km |
1.4 | 43–45 mpg | 12.2–13.5 s | 150–157 g/km |
1.4 TDI | 58–63 mpg | 12.8–15.9 s | 119–129 g/km |
1.4 TDI 70 | 63 mpg | 14.6 s | 119 g/km |
1.4 TDI BlueMotion | 74 mpg | 12.8 s | 99 g/km |
1.6 | 42 mpg | 10.4 s | 159 g/km |
1.9 TDI | 59 mpg | 10.7 s | 127 g/km |
GTI | 36 mpg | 8.2 s | 186 g/km |
Real MPG average for a Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
89%
Real MPG
27–82 mpg
MPGs submitted
323
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
What have we been asked about the Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009)?
Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.
What is a timing belt failure?

What Cars Are Similar To The Volkswagen Polo (2005 – 2009)?
Key attributes of the this model are: Compact size, Economical and Small hatchback.
Unclear on what your next car should be? Use our Car Chooser to pick something that suits your needs.
What do owners think?
Our view gives your our opinion, based on driving hundreds of cars every year, but you can't beat the views of someone who lives with a car day-in, day out.
- 5 star 33%
- 4 star 50%
- 3 star
- 2 star
- 1 star 17%