Volkswagen Polo review: The supermini evolving into a superior motor car

While SUVs grab the headlines, the supermini has always held its own, be it the sensible family car or GTi hot hatch. VW’s Polo fills these roles and more and even performs more like a Golf in its new version, writes Ted Welford

The latest version of the Volkswagen Polo updates the model that has sold 18 million versions since first production in 1975. Picture:Volkswagen/PA

While buyers might be flocking to crossovers and SUVs at a ridiculous rate, there’s still a lot to be said for more sensible superminis. For years these were the bread and butter option, and while the market may have changed, these models continue to top car sales charts, including the likes of the Fiesta, Corsa and the VW Polo.

And the Polo is a massively important car for VW, with 18 million versions being produced since 1975 – and with the sixth-generation Polo arriving in 2017, it was due a slight refresh, to keep it up-to-date with newer rivals like the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris. But is this new car good enough to compete with the best?