Looking to upgrade to a new vehicle in 2025? These are the Car Team’s top picks in the small car category with the Polo topping the list. Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine!
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This broad category encompasses everything from functional city cars to boutique and premium offerings. Value and practicality remain key criteria, but there’s a greater emphasis on perceived quality and features compared with the budget car category.
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Even in an automotive landscape where SUVs and crossovers are largely holding sway, the Polo remains a respected and relevant fixture. The locally assembled, sixth-generation model is perhaps one of the most well-rounded offerings in its segment – encompassing the solid yet basic likes of the 75 kW entry-level model, all the way up to the 147 kW GTI: a capable hot hatch that’s becoming a rarity in our market. Always appreciable throughout the range is the strong sense of Germanic build quality and big-car attributes in terms of both driving manners and the sorts of driver assistance technology (IQ.Drive features such as adaptive cruise control and active safety systems) on offer. The mid-table Life model ticks enough of the nice-to-have boxes to make it our choice here.
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Whether it’s the punchy Cooper S tested in the April issue, or the more sensible C, few small cars are as characterful and engaging to drive as the Mini. The range encompasses three- and four-cylinder turbopetrol variants, in three- and five-door body styles, as well as an EV.
Arguably the most cleverly packaged car in this category – not to mention a refined and frugal performer – the Fit was updated last year, ushering in some fresh styling cues and giving the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, and its hybrid spinoff, welcome power output increases.
Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine.
Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag!
The post Top 12 Best Buys 2025: Small Car – Volkswagen Polo appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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