[Epic]

Hello everyone,

I own a 2012 VW Polo 1.6 MPI and totally love the car. However, it is now 10+ years and the time has come for its replacement.

Why replace it?
It's more than 10 years old and has started to show it s age and I would like to have a turbo automatic now.
Why a hatchback?
My other car is a beautiful 2015 VW Jetta DSG which I use for my outstation trips. My Polo has been my city driving machine.

Requirements for the replacement.
1. Must be powerful - Minimum 100 bhp
2. Must be a turbo engine
3. Must be an automatic - Preferably a DSG / Dual Clutch
4. Must have good handling capabilities - As good as or better than the Polo.

My thoughts
1. Replace my 1.6 MPI with a used GT TSI. But now that the Polo has been discontinued all together, this would not be an ideal choice.
2. Look at the Hyundai i20 NLine. This is however a whooping 14 lakhs on road. Wondering whether it is worth the price tag. It looks better than the Polo on paper; but is it better in reality?

Please share your thoughts on the same.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by Epic

2. Look at the Hyundai i20 NLine. This is however a whooping 14 lakhs on road. Wondering whether it is worth the price tag. It looks better than the Polo on paper; but is it better in reality?

Please share your thoughts on the same.

Have you already test driven the i20 N Line? If not, please do and it may change your perspective. My guess is, coming from a 1.6 NA, you will find the turbo lag on i20 N Line in the bumper to bumper traffic really annoying. Extra hard steering is another thing you may not like after getting used to the well tuned steering on VW.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by Guna

Have you already test driven the i20 N Line? If not, please do and it may change your perspective. My guess is, coming from a 1.6 NA, you will find the turbo lag on i20 N Line in the bumper to bumper traffic really annoying. Extra hard steering is another thing you may not like after getting used to the well tuned steering on VW.

I have not yet test driven the i20 N Line but will be doing so in the coming week.

My father-in-law is suggesting me to wait for a few months as he believes that there will be an introduction of hybrid cars in the market. This may be true but I highly doubt they will be hatchbacks.

My heart is telling me to go for a used GT TSI but my head is not allowing it taking into consideration that the Polo is now a discontinued model.

[asit.kulkarni93]

Do check out the last set of polo TSis available for sale.

[Turbohead]

I don't think there are many hatchbacks left with your criteria apart from the i20 N line.

If hatchback is not a strict requirement, there are options like the Sonet, Venue, Taigun, Kushaq etc

Honestly, with all the price rises, a top end i20 N line at 14 is okay when compared to the prices commanded by the pseudo SUVs which are basically hatchbacks on stilts.

Is there really anything else in this segment for an enthusiast?

[dhanushs]

The beauty of a Polo is that it's hard to be replaced. You would've been in an even worse dilemma if you had the 1.2 TSi and wanted a replacement after years of happy ownership!

Sorry, couldn't give you a suggestion!

[Gannu_1]

Your best bet is a Polo 1.2 TSI or even the last of the 1.0 TSI lying somewhere with a dealership (unlikely though).

As for the i20 N-Line, please check this thread which reports a few instances of fuel pump failures with turbo-petrol engines from Hyundai-Kia.

[Durango Dude]

Originally Posted by Epic

Hello everyone,I own a 2012 VW Polo 1.6 MPI and totally love the car. However, it is now 10+ years and the time has come for its replacement.

May I suggest a Kia Sonet 1.5 diesel automatic GTX, it would be the best for the replacement. Compact footprint and Compact SUV great kit and super engine and transmission. No Turbo Petrol headaches and no DSG headaches, and awesome fuel efficiency.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Epic

1. Must be powerful - Minimum 100 bhp
2. Must be a turbo engine
3. Must be an automatic - Preferably a DSG / Dual Clutch
4. Must have good handling capabilities - As good as or better than the Polo.

If you want to save money, definitely do a lateral upgrade to a newer but used Polo TSI, or a Rapid / Vento TDI DSG (if your running is high + better legroom).

But IMHO, 10 years is more than enough to experience a car. You should get a different "flavour" now. Considering you keep your cars for long, would really recommend the i20 N-Line & the Sonet too.

Because you keep your cars for long, it's okay to splurge a bit. How about a Taigun / Kushaq? 1.0 AT if you can't stretch the budget too much (1.0 turbo-petrol is a blast to drive), although I would strongly urge you to spend on the 1.5L DSG. That engine + gearbox combination is absolutely deadly. Work a little harder & make up the price difference .

[crdi]

Have been seeing a lot of Nissan Magnite turbo cvts on the road. The feel of the car, most probably will be a let down for someone used to a solid Polo. However, it could be VFM and good, as a city runabout. Do give either the Magnite or its Renault counterpart a second look.

[Piyush Kanthak]

Unfortunately, there are not many cars which can replace the legendary Polo, yes spending 14 big ones on a hatchback is not worth, especially with the 3 star NCAP ratings.
The best option I can see here is to increase budget and get a Kushaq/Taigun mid models, these are the only cars which can come close to the Polo.

[AKSarkar1]

You have a garage combo that many would be envious of!

Here are my 2 cents (more like 20 cents) on this :

The Polo 1.6 is a modern gem, surely a piece of newer automotive history that will be appreciated in the years to come and just for this alone it is worth hanging on the car, of course this opinion is from the heart.

Now, talking strictly from the head, you can essentially buy the last lot of Polos which is the same car as yours, newer Polo owners are going to be using their Polos for a good 4-5 years to come (if not more) so I don't foresee a part shortage or upkeep problems anytime soon. Is your car suffering from any major mechanical flaws or issues? If not then it would be much cheaper to get the car refreshed mechanically and cosmetically too if you wish. The 1.6 MPI engine is extremely refined and one of the most reliable engines out of VW India's stable, it should be able to easily serve you well for the 10+ year mark.

Having said this, I do understand that ownership inertia sets in after 5-7 years. Do think of doing something to refresh the car maybe a new RCD340 or a fresh coat of paint? Small things go a long long way, needless to say that this car is extremely mod friendly! IMHO there is no viable option today to 'replace' this legendary iteration of the Polo.

You can yet buy a Turbo petrol but let me tell you that you will for sure miss driving this car. I own a Vento 1.6 MPI amongst Automatic Turbo Diesels and Petrols in my garage but the NA engine gives a joy that is second to none. Do get a new car to satisfy the new car itch if it is really bad but don't let go of this gem!

P.S.: Would love to see some pics of the iconic 1.6 Polo!

[Mechb63]

Originally Posted by Epic

My heart is telling me to go for a used GT TSI but my head is not allowing it taking into consideration that the Polo is now a discontinued model.

I remember your Polo when I was working at PMP where you got it ceramic coated some years back. I distinctly remember you telling me that although the GT has more power, it does not feel as solid as your 1.6.

The i20 N Line seems to be the only 'hatchback' that will meet all your needs.

[sunikkat]

In the current context, N Line is the only option if you are looking for a new car. However you need to choose this with an open mind and avoid comparisons. Even with those additional features and space, you would not feel N Line as an upgrade to Polo. It definitely lacks the build quality and finesse of Polo. But N Line is the most sorted option in hatchback currently. However if you are open to used cars, try and get a GT TSI (1.2 or 1 TSI), personally I feel that as a better option than N Line.

[neeladri]

Just buy a used 1.2 TSI DSG Vento/Polo. Nothing to match them. I have 2 of them. (11 year old Vento 1.6 MPI Auto & 5 year old Vento TSI DSG) Fantastic cars, both! Experience cannot be replaced at all! PERIOD. I had a Skoda RS from 2005 and got rid of it with a heavy heart in 2017 but the 1.2 TSI gave some succour albeit not in the same class but still get some minor satisfaction.