It almost seems unfair to refer to Polo as a small car – the latest generation is now bigger than the original Volkswagen Golf.

In tow car terms, though, it’s very much a tiddler. The legal towing limit is just 1100kg (or 1070kg going by the VIN plate rather than VW’s brochure), and the 85% match figure is 1012kg.

However, provided you match it to a suitable lightweight caravan (we towed a Swift Basecamp), the Polo makes a very fine ultralight tow car.

It stayed stable in a straight line at speeds which would be legal on a French autoroute but would get you in trouble on a British motorway.

In the lane-change test, the Polo was firmly in control until the third and fastest attempt at the manoeuvre, when the caravan started to pull the car around.

In everyday use, the Polo is a pleasure to drive. It’s not the most lively or exciting supermini, but it has a big-car feel in terms of ride comfort and refinement.

It has big-car safety standards, too, with a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. So if you are downsizing the Polo will make it a painless experience.

We use the same load of holiday luggage to test the boot capacity of every car, and it’s not at all surprising that the Polo didn’t have space for every item. However, its 355-litre volume is generous for a car of this size.

With a price tag nudging close to £20,000, this a premium-priced supermini. But What Car?‘s research shows discounts are available if you haggle, and resale values should be strong.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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