Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI 2018 first drive

Probably one of the more niche choices in the Volkswagen line-up. With all of the unfavourable press diesel has been getting recently, cars such as this oil-burning Volkswagen Polo supermini are falling out of favour with the general public. So far, 2018 has seen diesel sales as a whole drop by nearly a third compared with the same period last year, says the SMMT.

Nevertheless, there are still those who might find the idea of a small, affordable and economical supermini an appealing one - namely fleet buyers, we’re guessing - or else Volkswagen wouldn’t offer one.

Well, offer two, more specifically. In addition to the numerous petrol-engined variants you can buy, the Polo is also available with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which develops 79bhp in its most basic state of tune and 94bhp in our £19,690 SEL-specification test car.

In addition to the healthy level of kit that comes at this trim level - think 8.0in Discover Navigation infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, all-round parking sensors and plenty of active safety tech - you’ll also get a Polo that’s cheap to tax, and cheap to run. Volkswagen claims it’ll manage 74.3mpg on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions of 99g/km mean it has a benefit-in-kind rate of 24%.

While there’s not a huge amount here for keener drivers to get excited about, the Polo TDI retains the sure-footed, predictable dynamic qualities of its petrol-powered brethren. The steering is reasonably light and relatively quick, lending the Polo plenty of agility around town, while at motorway speeds it carries with it the same sense of calm you’d find in a larger Volkswagen Group product. It’s not quite as nimble or rewarding as an equivalent Ford Fiesta or Seat Ibiza, though.

Its strut-type front and torsion beam rear suspension keep lateral roll and vertical travel in check through bends and over undulating surfaces, while its low-speed ride is - for the most part - equally as comfortable and inoffensive. Our only complaint here is that the optional 17in alloys fitted to our test vehicle emphasise imperfections in the road surface to a degree that the standard 16s do not. 

That diesel engine, meanwhile, lends the Polo a fair amount of punch. While its 185lb ft of torque is available from 1500rpm, it doesn’t feel particularly enthusiastic until the revs stray above 2000rpm - at which point the acceleration will arrive in a surge. Refinement isn’t particularly noteworthy, either, with a noticeable grumble both at a standstill and under throttle. Still, once you’re up to speed, things settle down.