Polo R-Line Style A/C 1.2 60 PS 3-door (Part 3)

The spare wheel, stored fat under the boot floor, is a standard-sized 6 x 15-inch steel rim, fitted with a 185/60 R15 Hankook Optimo K415 in this case. It’s not totally compatible with the 7 x 16s and 215/45s, and the handbook includes a proviso about not driving it at full speeds etc but it’s arguably a much better option than carrying a skinny spacesaver, and infinitely better than a so-called ‘Mobility’ inflation kit.

The steering column is also fully adjustable, so it’s possible to achieve a good driving position

Braking on the lower-spec Polos is by 256 mm vented front discs and 200 mm diameter rear drums, but they’re plenty good enough for this level of performance, and come with ABS and HBA assistance, as well as ESP including EDL and ASR traction control functions. The parking brake is a conventional lever and cable-operated handbrake mechanism; no electronic handbrake yet for the Polo. Early models had a very long travel on the handbrake; not so our test car.

Although not particularly stylish, and certainly not qualified as sports seats like those of the R-Line proper, both front seats are sufficiently sculptured and supportive for comfort over long distances, although only the driver’s seat has height adjustment. The steering column is also fully adjustable, so it’s possible to achieve a good driving position, but there are other clues to the concession to price, in that the centre console has an open-top storage compartment, and the door mirrors are only manually adjustable. A leather-rimmed multifunction steering wheel, along with leather-trimmed gearknob and handbrake handle, is an optional extra, but the standard plastic-rimmed wheel was far from uncomfortable.

The rear seat comes with three three-point seat belts and headrests

Our test car was a three-door and despite the easy-entry mechanism on the front seats it’s still quite awkward to climb in and out of the rear seat, although once in place there’s enough head- and leg-room for normal-sized adults. Isofix child seat preparation is standard. Those long doors also need quite a lot of latitude to open fully, so it may be worth the extra premium ($998) for the five-door model if you often need to carry passengers.

The rear seat comes with three three-point seat belts and headrests, but it is only a single-piece bench, not split-folding, and while it folds down fat for extra luggage space, the metal back isn’t an ideal surface to stash luggage on without it sliding around, and there’s quite a large drop down to the boot floor level. It’s also quite awkward to fold the rear seat forward, as you have to release both latches at the same time. There’s no indication of an optional upgrade in the brochure; the 60:40 split-folding rear seat is only listed as standard on the Match trim level and above.

It’s also quite awkward to fold the rear seat forward, as you have to release both latches at the same time

The standard audio arrangement on the R-Line Style is the RCD 310 CAB radio with MP3 compatible CD player and six speakers. The multi-device interface (MDI) is an optional extra, and there are also upgrades to the RCD 510 touchscreen audio system or the RNS 315 audio/nav system.

Our test car also came with the manual air-conditioning system, the essential feature of its special A/C specification which commands a £715 premium over the standard R-Line Style models. It might seem a lot to pay for the simple push-button air-con control, but will be worth its weight in gold during a hot summer and is just as useful on cold misty mornings in the Autumn and Winter to help keep the windows clear of condensation. Surprisingly, the listing in the brochures does not show an optional upgrade to the electronic air-conditioning system, or the electric glass sunroof, for the R-Line Style models.

It will appeal particularly to the younger buyer for whom presentation is more important than performance

As you can see from the price lists, there are plenty of alternatives within the current Polo range and if you just want a 3-door with this engine and air-con then you can forego the body kit and wheels and save nearly $1,996 by buying the S A/C. But there’s no denying the visual appeal of the R-Line Style and by opting for the lower-powered engine you can save a significant $4,683 compared with the R-Line proper, with further savings also to be made on tax, insurance and fuel costs. The R-Line Style undoubtedly meets its brief to provide an affordable Polo with style, and it will appeal particularly to the younger buyer for whom presentation is more important than performance.