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Volkswagen Polo - 66 TDI Comfortline |
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It’s two in a row for the Volkswagen Polo 66TDI Comfortline. A perennial winner over the years in various classes of Australia’s Best Cars Awards, the Polo makes a name for itself again with back to back wins, a feat that’s proven difficult for many car makers. It’s not surprising really, as the Polo 66 TDI punches above its weight in many of the important Australia’s Best Cars criteria, and would give many cars in the next class up, the Small Cars Under $35,000, a serious run for their money. The Volkswagen Polo has redefined the class with the German car maker adding a touch of class and luxury to a sector of the market not traditionally known for above average levels of quality and refinement. Many pundits scratch their heads and wonder how Volkswagen can do it for a vehicle with an asking price of just $22,350. From the moment you hear the reassuring thud when you close the door and sit behind the wheel, the detailed finish on the dash and surrounding surface areas impress, and first impressions are important in such a competitive class. Features like the audio system come from the Golf and Passat range- reinforcing the quality feel. The sense of strength that comes from a solidly constructed small car continues through in areas that you can’t see, like safety and importantly the Polo scores a five-star ANCAP safety rating courtesy of six airbags, electronic stability control, and anti–lock brakes. Powering the Polo 66 TDI Comfortline is a 1.6Litre turbocharged diesel engine with an output of 66kW and more importantly, 230Nm of engine torque produced from low engine revolutions. Accelerate hard up a hill and the 1.6 litre turbo diesel engine spins up sweetly and it’s definitely no slouch – it feels as quick as anything on offer in this class. The Polo has grown in size over the years but the extra bulk hasn’t hurt the Polo in terms of performance. The class winning Polo’s diesel engine is matched to a slick shifting five-speed manual transmission, and for an additional $2,500 there’s an excellent seven-speed automatic DSG available. Dynamically the Polo also punches above its weight. It has a nicely sorted chassis that gives the Polo the ability to handle just about any scenario. Twisting sections of road, the Polo is nimble and fleet footed, linear, well weighted, direct steering and taut springs ensures the Polo handles as well as anything in the Small Car Class. Australian roads, with their myriad of road surfaces testing the boundaries of suspension design, don’t worry or upset the Polo, and you will find the ride quality is as supple as a car twice its price. Clever interior packaging makes the most of the Polo’s compact size, with above average leg room and head room for passengers and a wide opening rear hatch providing a solid score for space. Perhaps the ultimate accolade for this two time winner is that despite being the baby of the Volkswagen range the Polo 66 TDI Comfortline feels just like its bigger brother, the Golf.
Finalists
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