Volkswagen Polo hatchback (2009-2017) - Practicality & boot space
A reasonably roomy interior, decent-sized boot and plenty of useful storage make the Volkswagen Polo a good choice for small families
At less than four metres long and 1.6 metres wide, the VW Polo has relatively compact dimensions. Add in light steering, precise controls and good visibility and the Polo is very easy to manoeuvre and park in tight spaces.
VW Polo interior space & storage
Both the three and five-door versions of the Polo offer decent head and legroom in the rear, and if the five-door model is easy enough to get in and out of as well. The front seats slide forward on the three-door, and the front doors open wide, giving you plenty of room to step through and sit in the back.
Volkswagen has been generous with cubbyholes inside and the glovebox is huge, too. You’ll also find deep door bins, cup-holders and map pockets around the interior. SEL models and above feature a handy lidded centre armrest, while the BlueGT gets hidden drawers under the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
Boot space
Although the Honda Jazz offers the biggest boot of any small hatchback, the Volkswagen's 280-litre capacity is big enough to see off the Ford Fiesta (276 litres) and gets close to the Vauxhall Corsa's 285 litres.
The Polo also benefits from a reasonably low load lip, a wide opening and minimal intrusion from suspension components. You'll also find a useful shopping bag hook, a 12v power socket and a courtesy light that takes the hassle out of loading up after dark.
All Polos, apart from the entry-level S, come with split-folding rear seats. When folded away, they increase the total load capacity to 952 litres. SE models and above also feature a false floor that provides a hidden space for your valuables and means the boot floor stays flat with the seats down.
Towing
If you plan to use the Polo to tow, some engines are more appropriate than others. Both the entry-level three-cylinder petrols are limited to towing a maximum of 800kg, while the 89bhp 1.2-litre TSI and 74bhp 1.4-litre TDI can cope with 1,000kg, while the 148bhp BlueGT can haul 1,200kg. All models can cope with a roof rack load of up to 75kg, plus they feature a 45-litre fuel tank, ensuring a decent driving range, particularly from the more frugal models.
