To play Polo or Golf?

[Sharkie]

With the current drive-away specials going at VW, I'm looking at buying a manual small hatch for my daughter to drive .....

Just can't make up my mind between the 81TSI Comfortline Polo (or even the 66TSI) v the 92TSI (base) Golf .... less than $3000 difference ($10 a fortnight on a lease) .... and I have been through the spec sheets like a million times now.

Still to drive them, but my preference is for the smaller Polo purely because of the size. Any opinions/feedback to help me make up my mind?

[Raiden337]

So as to not assume, what is her driving experience like?

[EddieXI]

Honestly, if your daughter is not planning on shopping at Ikea every day or transporting large objects frequently, the polo is a great choice. It will fit in practically every parking space and it's very easy to drive in packed areas like the city. The interior space is pretty good but not great at driving 5 adults but will comfortably fit 4. I'm 180cm and I can sit behind the driver with the seat positioned to my driving position. That being said, the golf is better for interior space and is slightly bigger.

It will also depend on whether you want to get the optional extras for the car as well. The polo offers adaptive cruise control, climate control, city emergency braking, low tyre pressure indicator and sat nav with the driver comfort package. The golf will require you to move up into the trendline or comfortline for you to get the optional extras but those are entirely up to you whether they are worth it for her needs.

[Sharkie]

So as to not assume, what is her driving experience like?

On Ps at the moment, but she learnt to drive from me (which means she enjoys it) and grew up in a house that always had at least 1 VW at a time. She loves the Polo (and the Golf almost as much) though and it will be step up from the current Getz she is driving.

Really need a quality small hatch to drive to uni and afterwards for the next 5-7 years. Probably wont get the extras and won't get much done to it afterwards either .... (other than perhaps a tune for when I have to drive it )

[Raiden337]

Lol @ the tune.

It's a tough call, the best thing about the polo is the size, it's an absolute joy to drive around and parks anywhere without concern for its size.

[Volks]

Have you asked your daughter what she would prefer?

[Notso Swift]

Historically Golf is better long term for resale but Emergency auto brake is where it is at
i would rather have the smaller less powerful car and have that

[rufus001]

Historically Golf is better long term for resale but Emergency auto brake is where it is at
i would rather have the smaller less powerful car and have that

+1 It's already saved my inattentive butt.

[Mountainman]

heh Sharkie - we have the 81TSI comfortline Polo and the base 90TSI Golf with comfortline 16" wheels, both manuals - there was almost $5000 difference in driveaway price. At $3000 go the Golf every time. it is just a better car. That MQB platform gives it a handling/steering/stability edge that the Polo will never match, it is much faster in spite of VW claiming the same 0-100 - that's on the 90 - the 92 is a bit quicker again, almost as economical and it might be bigger but has a better turning circle - and the extra room in the back is a huge difference. The Polo is much quieter - weird that it can be but everyone picks up on it immediately. And I could name more than half a dozen features the Golf has that the Polo doesn't - like fatigue monitoring, tyre pressure warning, programmable auto locking, programmable remote window lowering, synchronized remote mirror adjustment, speed cut out & more. The Golf just feels more modern and far more upmarket interior r[presentation especially in the console area. And the electric brake/auto hold is better than any older system like the Polo's handbrake that is hard to use around the centre armrest.

[Mountainman]

Honestly, if your daughter is not planning on shopping at Ikea every day or transporting large objects frequently, the polo is a great choice. It will fit in practically every parking space and it's very easy to drive in packed areas like the city. The interior space is pretty good but not great at driving 5 adults but will comfortably fit 4. I'm 180cm and I can sit behind the driver with the seat positioned to my driving position. That being said, the golf is better for interior space and is slightly bigger.

It will also depend on whether you want to get the optional extras for the car as well. The polo offers adaptive cruise control, climate control, city emergency braking, low tyre pressure indicator and sat nav with the driver comfort package. The golf will require you to move up into the trendline or comfortline for you to get the optional extras but those are entirely up to you whether they are worth it for her needs.

Which puts it only $1000 less than the Golf. And you underestimate just how much roomier the Golf is - and also in the hatch area. Yes the Golf is a bit wider but parks better than the Polo because of the tighter turning circle. It's one of those things that shows up every time you drive it - just like the Polo's extra silence. And the Golf's seats are better with a better driving position. Polo is too high even on the lowest seat height. But it's in the driving that the Golf finally wins. Funny but my wife takes the Golf every time and I'm left with the Polo - which I don't mind and rather love the sweetness of it.