In our longterm fleet, we now have a Volkswagen Polo, powered by a 1.0-litre TSI producing 95 horsepower, and it has all of the optional features.
Of course, the Polo isn't the only compact car in the Volkswagen-concern anymore. With almost all of the same technology; this is the Ibiza.
It also produces 95 horsepower and it's equipped with the most luxurious trim.
However, between the two is a price gap of €2.000. So that rings the question: is the Polo worth that extra two grand?
In the Ibiza, the 3-cylinder produces enough performance for daily usability. It's not a power monster, but the engine is pretty responsive.
If you keep it in the revs that is, because beneath 1.600 or 1.700 RPM there's not a lot going on. Above that, it's alright.
When you go above 3.500 RPM however, the fun's over again. So you have to stay inbetween those RPM's.
The gearbox feels a little lumpy, but it's very direct. So if you choose your gears carefully, it's not a bad car to live with.
The Ibiza we're driving right now has a sporty chassis, which is lowered by 15 mm. It also has 18-inch alloys with 215 mm wide tires.
It gives the car a slight sporty touch, but comfort still rules. That's how this car has been set up.
That dynamic touch can be strengthened even more by selecting the Sport-mode. It only works slightly, because it's mostly you...
knowing that you've pressed a button. Because it barely does anything. Anyway, you can put it in Sport-mode and that's nice.
The steering is pretty light. There's a little bit of feedback in the steering wheel, which is just enough to keep all of those 95 horses in line.
The steering and chassis easily rule over the drivetrain. The car is fitted with adaptive cruise control as standard, without lane assist.
It does have a rear view camera, which is standard on this car. Those images are projected on the big multimedia screen.
Speaking of which, the screen is quite low really. There are some vents above it, so you have to kind of move your eyes down.
The dashboard itself is pretty clear. It has an optional digital instrument cluster, which'll cost you €360. For that, you get very clear dials.
Other than that, you'll easily find your way around. It doesn't take a lot of getting used to if you want to set off in this car.
On the dash, there's a lot of gray plastic. You do get red stitching, to let you know you're dealing with a kind of sporty car.
Remarkably enough, in the doors we find piano-lacquered panels. Very stylish.
If we take a look at the space, it's pretty good. Especially if you're in the front. There's lots of room around you. I'm almost 2.00 m. tall myself...
and I've got headroom left. The rear seat offers a tad less space, but that's logical. If we move even further back, we get to the boot...
which'll offer you 355 litres. Pretty big for a B-segment car.
The luggage space in the Polo however, has a different shape. It does have the same amount of luggage space, so it's nicely balanced.
At the beginning, I mentioned that the Volkswagen is €2.000 more expensive. On the other hand, the depreciation of the Polo isn't as bad.
Anyway, that's something for the future, so it won't be helpful right now. When we get into the Volkswagen, it immediately stands out that it's...
more spacious in the back. Also, it has a more comfortable chassis. However, those things are a matter of taste.
Other than that, it's a thing of comparing trim. Both cars have a luxurious trim, but they have different trims at that.
It's up to you to decide which things you want extra and which things come as standard. If you're able to choose the features,
then you're able to choose the car. That's how close these cars are.