Image Credit: Volkswagen AG.
Volkswagen has finally done it. They've taken a car that has been the go-to choice for teenagers and sensible librarians for fifty years - and scrubbed away the smell of gasoline. The trusty Polo is now the ID. Polo, and it actually looks quite braw, as we say back home. After selling 20 million of these things, VW decided that internal combustion was a bit too "last century." Instead, they've given us a battery-powered box that promises to save the planet while rubbing your lower back. I'm not joking. It actually has massage seats.
The headline everyone is shouting from the rooftops is the price. VW says this little sparky wonder starts at just $29,300. That's the kind of price that makes you think you could afford a car and still have enough left for a decent dinner or two. But there is a catch... If you want one right now, you have to buy the Life trim, which costs $39,600. The "cheap" one doesn't arrive until later. It's the classic German bait-and-switch - show you a burger, then charge you extra for the bun and cheese...
Image Credit: Volkswagen AG.
What about the "go" department? You get three choices of power, ranging from lethargic to quite peppy. The base models offer 114 hp or 133 hp, paired with a 37 kWh battery. That'll give you about 204 miles of range - fine if your life consists of driving to the shops and back. If you're feeling brave, you can step up to the 208 hp version with a 52 kWh pack. That one promises 283 miles on a single charge. It's front-wheel drive and built on the new MEB+ platform, so it shouldn't handle like a drunk pig on ice, hopefully.
Inside, the cabin is a mix of the future and grandpa's attic. There is a 13-inch touchscreen that handles everything - it usually drives me mad, but they've added physical buttons for the climate control. Hallelujah! The real genius, though, is the "retro display" mode. With one tap, your fancy digital gauges turn into the dials from a Mk1 Golf. Completely useless, and totally unnecessary, but I absolutely love it. It's like wearing a digital watch that looks like a sundial. Pure dead brilliant.
Image Credit: Volkswagen AG.
Now, size matters, or so I'm told. The new Polo is 159.6 inches long and 71.5 inches wide. It's actually a bit shorter than a Renault 5, but because there isn't a bulky engine under the hood, the inside is cavernous. You get 15.6 cubic feet of trunk space. If you fold the seats down, that jumps to 43.9 cubic feet. That is a 25 percent increase over the old gas version. You could probably fit a small pony in there, though the pony might have opinions about the lack of airflow.
For those of you who enjoy a bit of luxury while sitting in traffic, the ID. Polo offers 12-way adjustable electric seats with pneumatic massagers. In a budget hatchback! I can't wait to be stuck on the freeway while a machine pummels my spine into submission. You also get a 425-watt Harman Kardon sound system and a panoramic glass roof, assuming you're willing to part with more of your hard-earned cash.
Image Credit: Volkswagen AG.
Charging is also surprisingly quick. The big battery can go from 10 to 80 percent in about 24 minutes. It even has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) tech, which means you can use your car to charge your electric bike or power a toaster. If you really want to annoy your neighbors, it can even tow up to 2,645 lbs - as long as you don't expect to go 283 miles while pulling a boat.
Sadly, if you want the fast one - the 223 hp GTI - you have to wait until 2027. For now, we have a very handsome and very electric hatchback that wants to be your best friend. Practical, clever, and it has a lit-up VW logo on the back like a glowing red nose. It might be a bit sensible, but since we are surrounded by a sea of ridiculous electric SUVs, this wee Polo feels like a breath of fresh, non-exhaust-filled air.
Image Credit: Volkswagen AG.
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