VW Confirms that the VW Polo is Headed to the US

Nobody cares. At least they could have brought the Scirroccoocoro instead. It actually looked good.

With american cars like the Ford Fiesta on the way, is this thing really the best VW can offer? .

This car is a horrible, ugly econo box design with absolutely nothing interesting. Look at the huge (relatively) piece of sheet metal over the tiny rear tires. Boring rims, boring lights, etc.. And to top it off, a white color to even make it more bland.

What, did the engineers at VW copy Toyota? Only VW fan-boys would defend this abortion.

I happen to have a couple VW-AGs but an not a diehard by any reach.. yeah, it's small, ugly and lame. But compared to it's current competitors, it's WAY better and with the 3cyl diesel it gets roughly 80 (yes, eighty) MPG. If you're like me and drive upwards of 40,000 miles a year... you do the math.

that said.. I won't buy one..

40K miles, or 153 miles 5 days at 52 weeks. Wow.. That's quite a bit of miles. I dare say that this is way above the average user (10k to 12.5k) compared to a company car (30k to 40k). (source - yahoo answers today)

Our regular gas today is $1.62, with Diesel at @ $2.42. At 40K miles you are using 571 gals of diesel (average highway mpg of the VW is near 70 BTW) for about $1481 a year.

A prius is near 50mpg highway (source - www. hybridcars.com). The same amount of money will drive the Prius 914 gallons or 45.7K miles. A cheaper Honda civic at 36Mpg will do about 35K miles for the same gas cost, and that is not a hybrid.

Not that good of a deal if your looking to get the best cost/mileage. Plus the Toyota and Civic (IMO) are better appointed machines and excellent and prooven reliability.

There should be some consideration on replacing batteries after 6 years on the Hybrids thou. But if you look at this VW to be around $20k (source - popularmechanics.com), and lesser mileage cars that are thousands less (say a 36mpg honda civic at 17k like I bought), I do not see this car standing out much. Then, there is resale....

If only looking at gas mileage, it is amazing this VW does get such high mileage.

You know I don't see America going sub compact for a long time. I don't see many yaris or smaller cars on the road. Fits, Corollas, and Civic oh there are plenty. But I think that size is what people currently precieve as safe.

(Considering the size of cars keeps growing it's now wonder that people are okay with a civic. It's probably 20% bigger than it was 10-15 years ago.)

"with the 3cyl diesel it gets roughly 80 (yes, eighty) MPG"

Will the diesel even come to the United States ? Just about every other manufacturer who brings a vehicle to the United States does not offer the diesel version here.

80 mpg in EU and significantly less in the US. probably ~60mpg.

we are pushing 45mpg in full sized sedans debuting this year. in a couple of years those sedans will be hitting the same 60mpg numbers. what would convince anyone to take this over a more roomy and capable car with 2-300hp...

@ Sandman "what would convince anyone to take this over a more roomy and capable car with 2-300hp..."

Not everyone wants a car the size of the Titanic. Is the extra power of those other cars nice? Sure. But all the power in the world will never get me to buy a car that barely fits in the lane and has a massive turning circle.

Hey everybody, Here's a Joke:

What's the difference between the GTI and the Polo?

Not Much!!!

(pointless, random sarcasm)

@ Tote
lol nice over exaggeration. Coming from a country who's number 1 selling vehicle is a full sized truck, calling a traditional sedan a titanic is idiotic at best. This is the US here, we have great big lanes, long straight highways, and spread out cities. Most people live in the burbs and look for a smooth ride for their commute. They will only look at gas prices in so far as it doesn't compromise comfort and usability.

Look, they tried to sell this car before, it failed miserably, and its going to fail again. High gas prices or not there is only so far down the US consumer will go. This car is slated for some enviro fruit cakes in Cali and some poor college students first car. I don't see it getting much more popular than that.

In the end, despite the great mileage it gets its still not the solution. The US is on the move to an alternative to gas, not an extension of it. Auto manufacturers are wasting a ton of time on extending mileage when they should be focusing on getting true replacement technology out the door.

@Sandman

It's not much of an exaggeration. Ever wonder why so many people have a hard time staying in their lane on the highway? It's because each time a new model car comes out, it's longer and wider than the one before it. Also, many sedans today ARE the size of trucks from not long ago. This bloating isn't just limited to US car companies, it's every car sold in the US. If you bother to compare, the current BMW 5 series is bigger than the 7 series was 15 years ago. Now, I know the typical American is a fat tub of lard, but you can't tell me the average person is getting THAT fat THAT quickly.

1 in 3 man, 1 in 3, hahaha

@Tote

Agen with the "overisezed" thing huh? Are you a midget? Do you need everything shrunk around to make you feel of normal size?

Sorry "oversized".

No, 426, I'm a normal sized human being. Something you rarely see in the United States of Obesity these days. Just because you've been deluded into thinking that you're only a "real man" if you have a 10,000 lb truck that's 15 feet of the ground and is 30 feet long, doesn't mean it's true. Unlike most guys in the US, I don't need to compensate for anything.

I've noticed everything is getting bigger as well. I was looking at a 2wd 2008 Toyota Tundra Crew cab truck the other day in the parking lot at work and was thinking that it was toooo big. The truck took up all of the parking space and even with it backed against the fence it's nose still stuck out 4 or 5 feet past the lines. I do use a truck too. I have a 2006 Honda Civic coupe that's my daily driver and on the weekends I use my 1998 Ford Ranger Supercab 4x4. I can tow my jetski, 2 horse trailer, or atv trailer just fine with my little baby truck. I'm also 6'1" tall and about 220lbs "fit" pounds. So, I'm a big guy and drive smaller than average vehciles. I don't know if this fit anywhere in the conversation.. Just thought that is was a good point to make. :)

Thanks Dingle, it's nice to know someone else out there realizes that there's no point in cars getting bigger and bigger every year. What were compacts are now mid-size, mid-size sedans are now full size, and full size barely fit in a parking space.

I don't think that anybody should be arguing the "value" point when talking about VW. Sure you get better gas mileage, but the initial price is higher, the quality / repair costs are terrible, and the resale sucks.

"the quality / repair costs are terrible"

I always hear this about VW's but everyone I know who owns them has never had any problems.

Try google totenglocke VW's have a terrible track record. Interior peeling off in the 2nd year, transmission failure with 5-speed auto, side windows shattering from cheap clips, coil failure. That was one vehicle in less than 3 years and it's not isolated as you are implying. The vast majority of VM owners have similar stories.

Never again, my VM made my heavily modded FD seem bullet proof and that's making a statement.

Try google totenglocke VW's have a terrible track record. Interior peeling off in the 2nd year, transmission failure with 5-speed auto, side windows shattering from cheap clips, coil failure. That was one vehicle in less than 3 years and it's not isolated as you are implying. The vast majority of VM owners have similar stories.

Never again, my VM made my heavily modded FD seem bullet proof and that's making a statement.

I've only ever heard of reports of VW's being poor quality come out of the US, which makes me think that it has something to do with the QA at the Mexico plant (I understand that this is where VW produces cars bound for the US market?)
Infact, most of the time here in Aus I hear quite the opposite about VW (particularly Polo's and the Golf's). I've certainly never heard anyone here say anything negative about the build quality (no doubt some people have had issues though).
Also the Polo GTI is a hell of a lot of fun, why wouldn't you want such a car to be available?

Dingle, it never ceases to amuse me just how certain models have bloated over the years, only for the manufacturer to develop a new model to fill the gaps they just created (ie Honda Fit is what the Civic used to be, Toyota Yaris is what the Corrolla used to be, now the Corrolla is the size of what Camry's used to be, etc etc). As for the new Tundra (or Hilux as it's known here), I can't believe how large they are now compared to a couple of years ago.

Perhaps the import cars are getting bloated, but I remember many large American cars from years ago. Ever look at a 60-80's American cars compared to the current year? Go ahead and pick any Buick, Pontiac, GM, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge - They are were huge 20-30 years ago compared to today. American cars have shrunk for the most part; better design, efficiency, quality. And new models now surpassing the imports in quality and build.

It is the foreign cars that have bloated in every line. I owned a few 80's toyota's, they were like the Mini is today, and were basic tin cans then.

So, this VW is tiny, and on the wide open American highway system a un desirable car (in my opinion). For the same price, you can get a better and larger car with not much less efficiency.

Sparky, I'm not talking about the behemoths from 50 years ago, look at how American cars have bloated up in the last 20-25 years. Compare sizes in the Pontiac Grand Am for instance (now the G6). They're much bigger now than they were when they started. Just about EVERY car from EVERY maker sold in the US gets bigger every time they do a redesign.

@ Sparky

I don't know so much about that. With the retro fad going on now, so models like the Challenger seem just as big as the older models....

Actually all the Dodge cars seem big. Big enough to "need" the Hemi to move it around decently.

Dodge you need to bring back the Omni GLH...

I remember the dodge charger and challenger of the 70's extremely well. I rebuild a Plymouth roadrunner and superbee and raced in Camaro and Mustangs and olds 442 cutlass. If anything, the new dodge retro's are smaller and now more powerfull. The newest Mustang model is a little larger (my co-worker restored his 68 and we compared) is all - not what I would call bloated. Camaro's look about the same size. But otherwise, all these American retro cars are smaller versions in my opinion than their older brothers.

But that is still my point; models may have grown 10-15% or so over the last 10 years, but nothing like 20 or more years ago (and 50 years ago? wow, they were monsters).

Have you compare a late model 70's 1/2 pickup to todays models? Same thing, the older trucks were very heavy and tanks, size and all, compare to today.

I believe the current size of the 08 civic coupe (I own one) is the smallest car I would feel safe in. This VW is way to simple of a car and looks completely like a death trap if in an accident. Plus, just cheap.

Has anyone on this site owned a diesel in 30 below zero weather in northern Montana? Not a good car/truck to own in extreme weather. I would have to leave this vw parked or running in idle.

Go Ford...

I'm all for more small cars in the US. I'm tired of all these small-dicked motherf*ckers driving their overcompensation vessels around, not paying attention while they have moronic, pointless conversations with their other small-dicked friends, constantly crossing over traffic lines and failing to observe basic driving routines like, I dunno, stopping at a f*cking stop sign.

Not that these assh*les would suddenly be better drivers in a small compact.

My point? I love pizza.

"I believe the current size of the 08 civic coupe (I own one) is the smallest car I would feel safe in."

Then you, Sparky, have fully bought into the "bigger is better, we all need a Panzer just to go to the grocery store" bullshit.

@mbw

Are you still buying into that "big car = tiny knob & tiny car = hung like horse" bullshit?

@Tote

We get it allready. You like "cars" that are 4ft. wide, 4ft. tall, 5ft. long and are death traps at highway speeds.

Lol 426Hemi. I guess my size varies with the day, since I have a GTO, a Firehawk, a Sierra, a Sunfire, and a Sky Redline which I inherited and rarely drive (had it for a year now and only put 437 miles on it).

"We get it allready. You like "cars" that are 4ft. wide, 4ft. tall, 5ft. long and are death traps at highway speeds. "

I like cars that are reasonably sized and don't weight two tons (or more). And no, just because it's not military issue doesn't mean it's a "death trap at highway speeds". Git.

Well, a majority of car crashes are single-vehicle crashes, and most multi-vehicle crashes happen below 40mph, and a lot of THOSE crashes are simple rear-enders.

Shouldn't you focus on the overall safety of your car instead of buying a tank? Oh, maybe you'll be safer just in case you hit a petite vehicle, but chances are, you're crashing on your own. If you own a massive SUV, you're probably going to roll over, especially if you try to avoid the accident.

My MINI Cooper S has a discount from my insurance agency because it has excellent "accident avoidance" (although this is offset by the turbocharger, dangit). Who cares about safety when you can twist your way out of an accident?

Of course, larger is typically safer when it is a one-on-one deathmatch. But chances are, this isn't going to happen. Your vehicle will careen out of the way, and so will mine... who is going to survive when we both go off-road? That is where vehicle-engineering comes into play. I'd bet the Smart Car would own your Expedition then... not that I'd ever drive that... yuck.

MINI Cooper S is a unique car, looks fun too. I hear they have surprising large interior room and well built.

But I don't think my Civic SE is buying into the "bigger is better" ideal. The car simply is way more functional, universal and safe than the older tiny Honda Civics of the 70-80's. They were horrible death traps... I looked at the Accord, nice car too, but didn't need the extra expense for the little bit more room and performance.

There is this pesky physics problem; to have side impact, front impact, rear impact, air bags and roll over protection, you simply can't have a tiny car anymore. Building the most reliable car isn't enough for the consumer; protection is extremely important too. Just look how the car reviews are critical on poor performing cars; cars designed and built in China are proof of that! Cars HAD to get bigger because they improved their safety quality; physics 101.

I don't think buying my Civic is anthing near a Panzer mentality. However, I don't think buying a smart car is really all that 'smart' either. At least with the Civic, I don't need a second larger vehicle when I have to travel on the freeway any longer distance than a short commute or carry anything more than a briefcase. Doesn't make sense to buy two cars; more pollution, more gas, more environmental impact.

Oh and Totenglocke; as far as the 'bullshi!' is concerned; cows do too but they don't brag about it.. Grow up.

Back to the subject; I don't see this VW as a good alternative to the vehicles already on the market. It will be lackluster in sales, and that 80 MPG a pipe dream since they may not be able to offer the dieself here anyway.

@ Sparky:
"There is this pesky physics problem; to have side impact, front impact, rear impact, air bags and roll over protection, you simply can't have a tiny car anymore. Building the most reliable car isn't enough for the consumer; protection is extremely important too. Just look how the car reviews are critical on poor performing cars; cars designed and built in China are proof of that! Cars HAD to get bigger because they improved their safety quality; physics 101."

You have a good point here. But don't forget than the Yaris and Fit, while the same size of the Corollas and Civics of old, are much safter (modern tech/manufacturing etc), and no doubt will become so in the future. Albeit, maybe not as safe as the current Civic/Corolla for the reasons you mentioned above, but still a lot safer than that car you probably considered yourself quite safe enough in 15 years ago...
My dream car is a Lotus Elise/Exige, and my biggest safety worry in that wouldn't be due to a lack of safety features fitting into such a small size, but that such a small car wouldn't be seen alot of the time, creating far more opportunities for accidents to start with (but then again, if everyone was driving similarly small cars, seeing it wouldn't be too hard at all).

I had an 06 Ford Fusion SEL V6 and that would probably be the biggest car I'll ever own. It was big enough to be comfortable, but still easy enough to maneuver. I'd still have it if it weren't for some personal stuff that happened. I ended up with the 06 Civic coupe because of gas mileage an cost. It is a pretty nimble little car too and has some get up and go to it. If you look at it from the side it is still a pretty long car though.... I hope Ford will a compact pickup in it's lineup. I think that's why the Ranger still sells well. It's still a "compact" pickup. Not a Mid or Full size trying to masquerade as a compact (Frontier/Dakota)

Dingle

I have driven big and small cars, Mostly small cars, I'm 57 years old and still alive. I feel perfectly safe in small cars. I personally think I have been able to avoid a lot of accidents by having a smaller more nimble vehicle. You should see some of the big vehicles in parking lots, damn near the size of school buses. I've kidded a freind of mine who has a 4 door Silverado if he has to stop at railroad crossings.

Come on TR. Lots of news out there and you guys are sleeping!

@sparky

depends on the location in the country. our gasoline is about $1.70 for regular and $2.02 for diesel

polo @ 40,000 / 70 * 2.02 = $1154 / yr
prius @ 40,000 / 50 * 1.70 = $1360 / yr
civic @ 40,000 / 36 * 1.70 = $1888 / yr

i'm in no way defending the polo... it is ugly and boring. but those diesels will out live those battery packs the hybrids are carrying. if i were to buy this... i would only be buying it for a point A to point B car... and for the money and economy, it's a pretty good deal as it will last a long time and keep your wallet full.

now i do wish they would bring in the scirocco as someone stated before... but just for the look. it is basically a golf with bodywork. i wish they would go back to the mark IV golf / gti bodies... the new ones are just ugly.

...at least they don't look like a subaru i guess.

@anon
...at least they don't look like a subaru i guess.

AMEN