I own a 2012 VW Polo 1.6 MPI and absolutely love the car. However, it is now over 10 years old and it is time to replace it.

BHPian epic recently shared with other enthusiasts.

Hello, everyone,

I own a 2012 VW Polo 1.6 MPI and absolutely love the car. However, it is now over 10 years old and it is time to replace it.

Why replace?

It’s more than 10 years old and has started to show its age and I want a turbo automatic now.

Why a hatchback?

My other car is a beautiful 2015 VW Jetta DSG that I use for my outside track rides. My Polo was my city driving machine.

Conditions for replacement.

1. Must be strong – At least 100 hp
2. Must be a turbo engine
3. Must be an automatic – preferably a DSG / dual clutch
4. Must have good driving characteristics – as good or better than the Polo.

My thoughts

1. Replacing my 1.6 MPI with a used GT TSI. But now that the Polo has been completely discontinued, that wouldn’t be an ideal choice.
2. Check out the Hyundai i20 NLine. However, this is a whooping 14 lakhs on the road. Wondering if it’s worth the price. On paper it looks better than the Polo; but is it really better?

Please share your thoughts on this.

Here’s what GTO had to say something about it

If you want to save money, you should definitely switch to a newer, but used Polo TSI, or a Rapid/Vento TDI DSG (with high mileage + more legroom).

But in my opinion 10 years is more than enough to experience a car. You should now get a different “flavor”. Considering you keep your cars for a long time, I would really recommend the i20 N-Line and the Sonet.

Since you’re keeping your cars for a long time, it’s okay to spend a little money. How about a Taigun / Kushaq? 1.0 AT if you can’t stretch the budget too much (1.0 turbo petrol is a great ride), although I’d urge you to spend on the 1.5L DSG. This combination of engine and transmission is absolutely deadly. Work a little harder and make up for the difference in price.

Here’s what BHPians Gannu_1 had to say:

Your best bet is a Polo 1.2 TSI or even the last of the 1.0 TSI lying at a dealer somewhere (although unlikely).

Regarding the i20 N-Line, please read this thread reporting some cases of fuel pump failures with Hyundai-Kia turbocharged petrol engines.

Here’s what BHPian AK Sarkar1 had to say:

You have a garage combination that would be the envy of many!

Here’s my 2 cents (more like 20 cents) on that:

The Polo 1.6 is a modern gem, certainly a piece of recent automotive history that will be cherished for years to come and for that alone it’s worth holding on to, the opinion is heartfelt of course.

Well, strictly speaking from the head, you can essentially buy the last batch of polos that are the same car as your car. Newer Polo owners will be using their Polos for a good 4-5 years (if not more) I don’t foresee any parts shortages or maintenance issues any time soon. Is your car suffering from major mechanical defects or problems? If not, it would be much cheaper to also refresh the car mechanically and cosmetically if desired. The 1.6 MPI engine is extremely refined and one of the most reliable engines from the VW India stable. It should be able to serve you well past the 10 year mark with no problem.

However, I understand that ownership inertia sets in after 5-7 years. Are you thinking of doing something to freshen up the car, maybe a new RCD340 or a fresh coat of paint? Little things go a long, long way, needless to say this car is extremely mod friendly! IMHO there is no viable option today to “replace” this iconic iteration of the Polo.

You can still buy a turbo petrol engine, but let me tell you, you are sure to miss driving this car. I own a Vento 1.6 MPI between automatic turbodiesels and petrols in my garage, but the NA engine is a joy that is second to none.

Get a new car to satisfy that new car itch when it’s really bad, but don’t let go of this gem!

PS: Would love to see some pics of the legendary 1.6 Polo!

Read the BHPian comments for more insight and information.