It may have small-car looks, but the VW Cross Polo comes with big-car attitude

Before you even start the engine on Volkswagen’s new Cross Polo, it does not take much to be impressed. Unlike the previous Cross Polo, which used the base model Polo as its… uh, base… the 2011 vintage looks more like its own car, rather than a kitted out wannabe. The stylists really deserve a pat on the back because the Cross Polo’s look is smart and sophisticated in its own way, yet it maintains an appearance of distinctiveness on the road.

Once you are done gawking at its fetching looks and actually get to twist the key, the smooth 1.6 diesel powerplant comes to life.

The rattle of the old unit is gone and the new powerplant feels really refined. In fact, you would be hard pressed to tell it was a diesel at all, with only the most rabid of motoring aficionados likely to hear the slight gruffness in the engine note.

With only 77 kilowatts, it is surprisingly swift – 0 to 100 takes around 11 seconds – but the 250Nm of torque means acceleration is quite consistent throughout.

Furthermore, it is remarkably quiet when cruising at high speed.

The icing on the cake is fuel economy. VW claims 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres, but all I know is that after four days of unnecessarily heavy driving, the fuel gauge still confidently said: FULL.

And the environmentally conscious will be pleased to know that carbon dioxide emissions are very low, the Cross Polo having a EU 5 emission rating.

Despite its small dimensions, the new Cross Polo boasts a “big-car feel”, if you will, coming across as a much more refined car than it actually is.

And that is its greatest strength. No model in the class comes close to offering such a truly premium experience in a small package.

The VW Cross Polo 1.6 TDI price starts at R209 900.00, minus optional extras.

Zaid Kriel