Volkswagen Polo R-Line

At first glance it’s hard to get excited about the Polo, but from behind the wheel it’s a completely different story. A capable chassis, classy interior and a gem of an engine – which proves to be more efficient than the Alfa’s in real-world driving – make for a far more rounded package than the MiTo. The VW will be a joy to own.

The current VW Polo is a familiar sight on UK roads, having been on sale since 2009. But that doesn’t mean Volkswagen has left the car alone, because the R-Line version we’re testing here is all-new. It’s available only with the company’s excellent 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine and, much like its Alfa Romeo rival here, it sets out to mix low running costs, good looks and warm hatch performance.

Those looks are clearly more subtle than the MiTo’s, though. While the Alfa Romeo takes some of its detailing from the brand’s 8C Competizione supercar, the Polo doesn’t have the same visual impact.

Still, the R-Line styling pack comprises deeper front and rear bumpers, sculpted side sills and a gloss black radiator grille, all complemented by a set of 16-inch Mallory alloy wheels. The result is a look just like the Polo GTI – and in our eyes, the subtle updates make the design all the more appealing, especially when combined with our car’s bright red paint.

Inside, there are a few more tweaks to help the R-Line stand out from the standard Polo. Gloss black trim on the centre console and an R-branded leather steering wheel have been added, while the sports seats get smart white bolsters. There isn’t the sense of occasion you get in the MiTo, but the Polo feels better put together with more solid switchgear.

More importantly, the sports seats are more accommodating than the Alfa’s, and as there’s lots of adjustment in the driving position, it’s easier to get comfortable at the wheel. Rear passengers also have more space, plus the 280-litre boot is marginally bigger.

Under the bonnet, the 104bhp 1.2 TSI has a 19bhp power advantage over the Alfa’s TwinAir engine, and thanks to longer gearing it provides a greater spread of performance. Where you have to work the MiTo hard to get the best from it, you can rely on the VW’s stronger low-down torque. The 1.2 TSI isn’t as keen to rev as the tiny TwinAir, but the payoff is that the Polo’s engine is far smoother and more refined at all speeds.

At the track, the Alfa was faster in our in-gear acceleration tests, thanks mostly to its shorter gear ratios. But the VW hit back with a 9.5-second 30-70mph time – 3.6 seconds quicker than the MiTo’s – and sprinted from 0-60mph in less than 10 seconds. This extra flexibility is evident on the road, and the Polo is far easier to drive quickly because of it. The chassis backs up the performance with plenty of grip, too. There are no adaptive dampers or adjustable steering and throttle modes, but VW’s engineers have struck a great balance between sharp handling and cruising comfort.

On back roads, it’s clear that there’s not much feel through the steering, but the Polo is stable and more resistant to understeer than the Alfa – and there’s even a semblance of adjustability on the throttle before the standard stability control cuts in. On the motorway, the Polo R-Line is more relaxed, due in part to the fact that it’s pulling lower revs than the Alfa at 70mph.

Thanks to its larger displacement and extra pair of cylinders, the Polo isn’t as clean as the MiTo, though. CO2 emissions of 124g/km mean you pay £100 a year in road tax – the Alfa is exempt – and on paper, the R-Line is 14mpg less economical than its rival, with official economy of 53.3mpg.

But while the Polo struggled to match VW’s claims, it got much closer than the Alfa did on test, and was the more efficient car in our hands, returning 34mpg. Driven gently, it’s easy to see it achieving closer to 50mpg.

In terms of other costs, the £15,195 VW undercuts its rival by £155, although you have to spend just over £300 on options to match the Alfa’s standard spec, which includes rear parking sensors and cruise control.

Plus, if you sell the Polo after three years, it won’t be worth as much as its rival, and neither company has a glowing reputation for customer service. Still, VW offers a three-year, fixed-price servicing deal to help keep costs down. Can the Polo’s talents outweigh its negatives and take it to victory here?