VW Polo BlueMotion: month 3

Arrived: June 2008
List price (including options): £13,355
Average economy: 57.9mpg

The VW Polo BlueMotion has been -

Brought back across from Ireland to the UK. I travelled down to Newbury to collect the Polo from Shane while he picked up his new long-term steed. Apart from a long motorway journey home the BlueMotion has spent a lot of time driving round the towns and villages of Warwickshire.

We're loving the -

Surprising turn of speed. Economy-focussed, diesel hatchbacks should not feel as lively as this. If you're a bit too keen when pulling away it is easy to get the tyres squealing. Around town it feels torquey and quite nippy too - so long as you don't let the revs drop below 1,500rpm. On the motorway it has a relaxed, long-legged nature with a very high fifth gear keeping the revs and engine noise down. Making full use of the performance around town has taken its toll on economy but you could hardly call the Polo thirsty.

But not so impressed by -

As reported by Shane previously, the Polo isn't exactly quiet. Engine noise isn't too bad but there is more road noise than expected - enough to have you reaching for the volume control on the radio. It is worth living with for the sake of the fuel economy though.

We're looking forward to -

Plenty of town driving, although there should be some longer trips to take full advantage of the BlueMotion's economy. I'm looking forward to driving the Polo for a couple of months: not only is it sensible, it is surprisingly good fun to drive.

John Lambert