Model tested: Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion 1 1.4 TDi 3dr
Price as tested: £12,120
Range price: £12,120 - £13,535
Insurance group as tested: 5
Insurance group range: 5
Date tested: March 2008
Road tester: Stuart Milne
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 75%
While some car makers are investing in all-new technologies to reduce their vehicles' environmental impact, Volkswagen has been busy developing existing technology for the same reasons.
The first product of this thinking is the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion – a 1.4-litre diesel which emits just 99g/km of CO2, making it exempt from road tax. Free from difficult-to-find alternative fuels and heavy battery packs, the ultra-efficient diesel car could be the short-term solution everyone is looking for.
View our Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion slide show
Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals
1. Looks
The BlueMotion looks like a standard Volkswagen Polo; but just that little bit different. The most noticeable changes are the tiny 14-inch wheels shod with low-resistance tyres which require less energy to turn. There are also unique front and rear bumpers which are there to improve its aerodynamics, and an all-new front grille which makes the Polo a more slippery shape to reduce drag, and improve fuel consumption. In all, its look is more Max Power than Greenpeace, but that does mean it turns heads.
8/10
2. Looks inside
One of the bonuses with choosing a Volkswagen is you know what to expect in the cabin: classy, tactile materials with the blue and red illumination for the instrumentation. The Polo is starting to look a little dated alongside its other models, but it still cuts the mustard with us. The dials are easy to read, and the trip computer is simple to operate; as is the stereo. The BlueMotion comes with silvery-pistachio-coloured upholstery, which is there to compliment the launch colour. However, the interior does not change based on the bodywork colour, so choose carefully. Our main criticism is the lack of padding in the seats, which quickly caused our road tester backache.
7/10
3. Practicality
The Volkswagen Polo isn't the tiny car it once was, but the benefit of that is there's plenty of space inside. The 250-litre boot grows to more than 1,000 when the seats are folded and there is bags of room in the cabin for front and back seat passengers. Naturally, taller occupants in the rear may struggle, but that's to be expected in a supermini.
8/10
4. Ride and Handling
With the skinny, low resistance tyres don't expect bags of grip; because there isn't. In fact the ABS activated several times at low speeds on damp roads after the wheels locked under moderate braking. The suspension is firm, and the deeper bumpers mean care needs to be taken when traversing speed humps.
The Polo BlueMotion is far from quiet, particularly under acceleration, where its buzzy rattle became wearing, but its no louder than other diesels at a steady pace.
7/10
5. Performance
Despite the environmental tag bestowed on the Polo BlueMotion, it's far from the slowest Polo available. Its 12.8 second 0-62mph dash is the fifth quickest in a ten engine line-up, and a 109mph top speed is more than adequate. Volkswagen has changed the third, fourth and fifth gear ratios to make them longer. This means the car can travel at higher road speeds while keeping the engine speed (revs) low – helping economy. Driving economically takes a little getting used to as you select fourth and fifth at higher speeds than you usually would. The drawback is more frequent changes, especially on moderate inclines.
8/10
View our Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion slide show
6. Running Costs
At more than £12,000, the Polo BlueMotion is very expensive, particularly given the amount of equipment on the entry-level BlueMotion 1. Of course, you're paying for the staggering fuel consumption – or lack of it – and the fact it is currently tax exempt, thanks to its band A status with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. Choose carefully though, as the extra kit afforded to the BlueMotion 2 bumps it into tax band B – £40 a year. Volkswagen boasts the Polo BlueMotion can travel from London to Edinburgh on a single tank of diesel; a claim backed up by its average consumption of 74.3mpg. Insurance group 5 is higher than we'd expect for a car like this, but used values should remain strong, thanks to increasing road tax bills and Volkswagen's desirability.
8/10
7. Reliability
Should be few worries here. Volkswagens can put up with big mileages easily, and the Polo feels built to last. The technology in the BlueMotion's frugal diesel is new, so time will reveal any reoccurring faults.
8/10
8. Safety
The Volkswagen Polo scored four out of five stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests, placing it below some of its rivals. All models come with ABS with emergency brake assist and airbags for the driver and passenger. Curtain airbags and a deactivation switch for the passenger 'bag are both cost options.
7/10
9. Equipment
Given the Polo BlueMotion's £12,000 price tag, equipment levels for the basic model are poor – air-con or remote central locking among the notable absences.
The BlueMotion 1 gets 14-inch alloys, bespoke bodystyling and upholstery, electric heated door mirrors, electric front windows (electric rear on 5-door models), trip computer and a tyre repair kit (rather than a spare wheel) over the basic spec E model. BlueMotion 2 adds air-con, 'see me home' headlights, illuminated sun visors, leather trimmed steering  wheel, gearstick and handbrake, automatic wipers and headlights and remote central locking for an addition £815 – and extra tax bills.
6/10
10. X-Factor
Looking for a green car without the worry about where to fill it up or what happens when the batteries need replacing? The Polo BlueMotion should fit the bill. And with Volkswagen's peerless used values and the fact many owners will not pay to tax it, it could be the perfect choice.
8/10
View our Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion slide show
Rivals
You might also want to consider:
Seat Ibiza Ecomotive
Seat Leon Ecomotive
Citroen C2 Stop Start
Mini D
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic IMA
Would you buy a 'green' special edition? Have your say on the Auto Trader Blog.
| 
The BlueMotion is far from the slowest Polo available, with a 12.8 second 0-62mph dash
Bookmark this page with: