A supermini that rides like a Golf, with a 207PS GTI at the top
By Adrian, Car Lease Deals UK · Updated 16 October 2026
Volkswagen's Mk6 Polo has been on sale since 2017, was updated in 2021, and rides on the MQB A0 platform. Today it is a petrol-only range, running from an 80PS 1.0 up to the 207PS 2.0 TSI GTI. Quiet manners and a cabin that feels a class above its size are what the Polo is known for.
A transparent score for the Volkswagen Polo, worked out from official UK figures, not opinion. Running costs and emissions compare it like for like: same class, same fuel and powertrain.
How we score cars16.1p a mile on the 1.0 80PS (49.6 mpg) at current UK prices, lower than 35% of petrol superminis on sale
30% benefit-in-kind on the 1.0 TSI 95, best in range for 2026/27
129 g/km on the 1.0 80PS, lower than 50% of petrol superminis on sale
351 litre standard boot (seats up)
0-62 mph in 6.5s on the 2.0 TSI 207 GTI (204 bhp)
1 powertrain: petrol
Score for the 2026/27 tax year. It updates automatically as fuel prices, energy prices and tax rates change. See the full method.
A 351 litre boot and a petrol-only line-up are the compromises you accept with the Polo. In return it rides and sounds like a bigger car, which sets it apart from the Corsa and Clio.
Our editorial view, separate from the data score above.
Pick a body style, engine and trim. Everything updates together, so you only see combinations that were actually offered.
Entry trim covering the basics with the touchscreen infotainment and a good level of driver-assistance kit.
Boot 351 litres (1,125 litres with the rear seats folded), length 4,074mm. The only body style sold in the UK, with the same bodyshell across the range from the 80PS Life to the GTI.
| Engine | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 | Economy | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 80PS | Petrol | 79 bhp | 93 Nm | 15.6s | 49.6 | 129 g/km |
| 1.0 TSI 95 | Petrol | 94 bhp | 175 Nm | 10.8s | 52.3 | 122 g/km |
| 1.0 TSI 115 | Petrol | 113 bhp | 200 Nm | 9.8s | 49.6 | 130 g/km |
| 2.0 TSI 207 GTI | Petrol | 204 bhp | 320 Nm | 6.5s | 41.5 | 155 g/km |
Official figures, checked October 2026.
Official WLTP combined figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency. Compare more cars in our economy league table.
Insurance groups and premiums vary by driver, location and history, so these are indicative bands only.
Yearly cost at 10,000 miles on official economy. Petrol 175.3p and diesel 200.0p a litre (UK average, week commencing 12 October 2026); electric 26.32p per kWh charged at home (1 October to 31 December 2026).
Road tax and company car tax on official CO2 figures at 2026/27 rates. The expensive car supplement and P11D value depend on the list price, which you enter in the calculators.
The 1.0 TSI 115 with the DSG is quiet at motorway speeds and has 200Nm for easy overtaking.
Good refinement and a well-judged ride make the Polo feel more like a Golf than most rivals.
The 1.0 TSI 95 manual is straightforward and economical at 52.3mpg official.
The GTI's 207PS and 320Nm give a 6.5 second 0-62mph time in a car under 4.1 metres long.
How the main ways to fund a Polo compare. General guidance only, not financial advice or an offer.
Predictable monthly costs suit a supermini that holds its value, and servicing can be rolled in.
Strong Polo residuals support competitive balloon payments on PCP.
Simple route to ownership but with higher monthly payments than PCP.
Useful for short-term flexibility but usually costlier over time.
Well-kept used Polos hold their value, which makes outright purchase a reasonable long-term choice.
Which works out cheaper depends on your annual mileage, how long you keep the car and whether you want to own it. Try the true cost of leasing calculator to compare.
The 1.0 TSI 95 returns the best official figure at 52.3mpg with 122g/km of CO2, ahead of the 80PS and 115PS engines at 49.6mpg.
The 2.0 TSI GTI makes 207PS and 320Nm and reaches 62mph in 6.5 seconds, using a 7-speed DSG gearbox.
The boot holds 351 litres with the rear seats up and 1,125 litres with them folded, which is average for the class.
No. The current UK range is petrol only, from the 80PS 1.0 to the GTI. A separate electric ID. Polo is planned to join the line-up.
No. At 4,074mm long the Polo is shorter than the Golf, which is the next size up, though it is similar in feel and refinement.