New VW Polo takes on Ford Fiesta

Why the comparison?

There are lots of superminis out there, but the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo are unquestionably the most recognised - and among the biggest sellers too. They're also both spanking new, the Fiesta being launched late last year and the Polo arriving on these shores in a few months.

How are they similar?

Both the Polo and Fiesta seriously demonstrate just how far the supermini genre has come in the past few decades. Supersized is more like it, the term 'supermini' doing them both a disservice. As with all cars, they've grown, the Fiesta and Polo having proportions that would have been in a size category up just a few models back. The Polo is actually as big as a Golf Mk III and it feels as classy and upmarket as its current Golf sibling. The Fiesta feels big inside too and like the Polo its interior is built from the sort of materials that wouldn't disgrace cars at premium price points.

Big car refinement and comfort in each means, despite their supermini status, they really can be considered as a single rather than supplementary, second car choice. Either will happily sit at motorway speeds all day without fuss, the bigger diesel options in each allowing them to do so and return fantastic fuel economy, too. Safety in each is a priority - and partially responsible for their growth through the years - with all new Polos coming with electronic stability control as standard, though it's a £300 option on the Fiesta.

A wide range of engines are available in either; from entry-level petrol units to refined and economical diesels, each firm also offers super-economy models with tax-dodging CO₂ outputs and incredible combined economy figures. Three and five-door versions are optional for both, though if you want a three-door Polo you'll have to wait until late 2009 for its arrival.

How do they differ?

With two cars built to fulfil pretty much exactly the same brief it's hardly surprising that the Fiesta and Polo are so closely matched. There are differences though, much of them based around the styling and driving dynamics. The Polo looks like the classier, more upmarket competitor, it a car that'll age with dignity and look as good when it's due to be replaced as it does now. The Fiesta is undoubtedly a great looking car too, but it's fussier than the Volkswagen, lacking the weighty gravitas of its styling and badge cachet. That matters to a lot of owners and the Polo undoubtedly eclipses the Ford in that respect.

Where the Fiesta fights back very convincingly is in its driving behaviour. All Fords drive well and the Fiesta does so exceptionally, with the sort of crisp eager responses that make driving it a joy. From the lowliest entry-level engine to the most powerful, the Fiesta delivers a great drive, with a quick, easy gearshift, precise and feelsome steering and extremely tidy handling. The Polo does well too - indeed it's a quantum leap over its predecessor on the road - but for really sparkling dynamics the Ford is very difficult to beat.

So which one would we have?

If our drive to work included a challenging, twisty stretch of road we'd have the Fiesta for its incisive driving character. The Polo would get the nod if we were looking for super hushed motorway refinement and maturity. Both are exceptional cars though and we'd be extremely happy with either, the choice between them simply down to which one you prefer. Neither is so glaringly better in one specific area to have it influence our decision overly, the choice of either likely to come down to the nitty-gritty of pricing and dealer location. As we can't decide that for you we're calling this one a draw.

Kyle Fortune