Volkswagen Polo 6R vs Volkswagen Polo AW

Volkswagen Polo

6R · 2009 – 2017

The fifth-generation Polo (6R), on the PQ25 platform.

Volkswagen Polo

AW · 2017 – 2026

The sixth-generation Polo (AW), on the MQB A0 platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Polo

Pick the Polo for a mature, thrifty supermini with low running costs and solid build quality.

Best engine: The 1.2 TSI (90 hp) or 1.4 MPI (85 hp).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Polo

Pick the Polo for a mature, thrifty supermini with low running costs and solid build quality.

Best engine: The 1.0 TSI (110 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

1.2 TSI 90 · Petrol vs 1.0 TSI 110 · Petrol

	Volkswagen Polo	Volkswagen Polo
Power	90 hp	110 hp Winner
Torque	160 Nm	200 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	10,5 s	10,0 s Winner
Top speed	182 km/h	196 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	84,9 hp/t	97,3 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	110 g/km Winner	113 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	4,8 L/100km Winner	5,0 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Volkswagen Polo	Volkswagen Polo
Boot	280 L	351 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	950 L	1.125 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,47 m	2,56 m Winner
Length	3,97 m	4,05 m
Ground clearance	14,5 cm	14,5 cm
Turning circle	10,6 m	10,6 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.000 kg	1.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Volkswagen Polo	Volkswagen Polo
Platform	PQ25 (transverse)	MQB A0 (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	EA111 1.2/1.4 TSI (pre-facelift) · EA211 1.0/1.2 TSI (facelift) · EA189/EA288 TDI · EA888 1.8 (GTI)	EA211 1.0/1.5 TSI · EA888 2.0 TSI (GTI) · EA288 1.6 TDI (pre-facelift)
Transmission	5-speed manual · 7-speed DSG	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Volkswagen Polo

Timing chain on EA111 TSI (pre-2014)
Water pump/thermostat module
EGR/DPF on diesels (short trips)

Volkswagen Polo

DQ200 DSG shift quality (dry clutch)
Timing belt + water pump (EA211)
Infotainment glitches on early cars

Pros

Volkswagen Polo

Affordable and cheap to maintain
Facelift (2014+) brought better EA211 engines
Compact and easy to park

Volkswagen Polo

Roomier and more mature than the Polo V
Thrifty 1.0 TSI with low CO2
Mature road manners and good finish

Cons

Volkswagen Polo

EA111 chain (early 1.2/1.4 TSI) can cause trouble
Pre-facelift interior and infotainment dated

Volkswagen Polo

DQ200 DSG service (dry clutch)
GTI and higher trims get pricey

Driving experience

Volkswagen Polo

Light, nimble and easy to thread through town. The 6R steers quickly and accurately, rides acceptably for its size, and feels genuinely small and manageable in tight streets. The 1.0 and 1.2 TSI engines are adequate rather than exciting; the 1.4 TSI and GTI add real pace; the 1.6 TDI is the economical choice for distance. The 7-speed DSG is smooth once moving, though it can hesitate from a standstill. It is a competent, economical supermini, though it trails the AW for refinement and cabin quality.

Volkswagen Polo

Bigger, more comfortable and closer to a Golf in feel. The AW rides with noticeably better isolation and body control than the 6R, steers accurately with decent weighting, and stays quiet at speed for a supermini. The 1.0 TSI is the sensible pick — smooth and economical — the GTI adds real pace, and the 1.6 TDI is the long-distance choice. The DSG is smooth; the manual is light and precise. It is a more grown-up, more premium-feeling small car than the 6R, with a maturity close to the Golf in a smaller package.