10 best alternatives to the Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is one of the best offerings in the small car class. It’s refined, economical, and comes with some great safety and tech features.

However, there are plenty of competent alternatives out there vying for your attention. If you are looking for a city-friendly hatchback with space for the family, then read on for the 10 best alternatives to the Volkswagen Polo.

Our pick of the 10 best Volkswagen Polo alternatives are:

1. Renault Clio
2. Skoda Fabia
3. Toyota Yaris
4. Peugeot 208
5. Dacia Sandero
6. SEAT Ibiza
7. Vauxhall Corsa
8. Honda Jazz
9. Hyundai i20
10. Audi A1

1. Renault Clio

• Recommended trim: Evolution
• Recommended engine: 1.0-litre petrol
• Starting price: £17,995*
• Average Carwow saving: £2,755*
• Wowscore: 9/10

Judging by the quality of the materials in the cabin, the Renault Clio could be mistaken for a larger, pricier car. Most plastics are soft touch, and everything looks well put together.

A refresh in 2023 gave the Clio sharper exterior styling, and interior tech has been upgraded as well. It doesn’t have the most comfortable ride in its class, but the boot is simply massive, and even the base trim comes with a decent level of standard equipment.

2. Skoda Fabia

• Recommended trim: SE Comfort
• Recommended engine: 1.0-litre petrol
• Starting price: £19,730*
• Average Carwow saving: £2,041*
• Wowscore: 9/10

The Skoda Fabia does everything the Volkswagen Polo can but in a more cost-effective package. It offers a similar mix of kit, practicality and build quality as the Polo, just at a lower price tag.

It doesn’t have quite the same level of cabin materials and isn’t particularly exciting to drive, but it looks sharp and is a comfortable daily driver with a decent-sized boot.

3. Toyota Yaris

• Recommended trim: Icon
• Recommended engine: 1.5-litre hybrid
• Starting price: £22,640*
• Average Carwow saving: £2,256*
• Wowscore: 8/10

Thanks to its hybrid engine, the Toyota Yaris offers good fuel economy. It is also well-equipped and feels solidly built. But that’s not all, folks, as this particular Toyota is also great to drive.

So what’s the catch? Well, it isn’t quite as refined as the Polo, and the space in the back for both passengers and luggage isn’t particularly generous. If that’s not a deal breaker, then the stylish Yaris is a great buy.

4. Peugeot 208

• Recommended trim: Allure
• Recommended engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
• Starting price: £20,410*
• Average Carwow saving: £4,436*
• Wowscore: 8/10

If you like the idea of a Vauxhall Corsa with some French styling cues, then the Peugeot 208 is the car for you. Both share the same basic design, but the Peugeot looks far more striking both inside and out.

The Peugeot i-Cockpit dashboard and small steering wheel set this compact supermini apart from most alternatives in this class, although the unique driving position won’t work for everyone. Legroom in the rear is a bit tight, and stay away from the larger wheels as they can spoil the ride.

5. Dacia Sandero

• Recommended trim: Essential
• Recommended Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol
• Starting price: £13,795*
• Average carwow saving: £627*
• Wowscore: 8/10

If all you want is a low-frills, high-value car that can easily tackle anything from the school run to motorway trips, then the Dacia Sandero is worth a serious look. Unlike entry-level cars of the past, it comes with tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a facelift in 2022 has greatly improved its styling.

The interior is spacious and comfortable as well; it’s larger than anything else at this price point. Don’t expect too many driving thrills, the smile you get in this car is from knowing that it’s one of the best deals around.

6. SEAT Ibiza

• Recommended trim: SE
• Recommended engine: 1.0-litre TSI 95
• Starting price: £19,725*
• Average carwow saving: £1,260*
• Wowscore: 8/10

Think of the SEAT Ibiza as the fun-loving younger sibling of the Volkswagen Polo. They share the same DNA, but the SEAT has a bubblier personality and more striking looks. Avoid the base engine to ensure a fun and responsive driving experience.

The cabin is nicely designed but lacks the overall quality feel of a Polo. It’s still well-equipped and feels just as comfortable on longer trips, though.

7. Vauxhall Corsa

• Recommended trim: Design
• Recommended engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
• Starting price: £18,505*
• Average carwow saving: £3,735*
• Wowscore: 7/10

The Vauxhall Corsa is one of the best-selling superminis in the UK, and it’s been made even better thanks to a refresh in 2023. Aside from the new ‘Vizor’ front grille, all models get an updated infotainment system, with higher trims also receiving a digital driver display and even wireless phone charging.

The quality of the interior fittings is still commendable for this class of car, although the interior space remains as before. That means plenty of space for those up front, but taller passengers will find the rear seats a tight fit. Base 1.2-litre models are best for town driving, while the turbocharged versions are the better bet for motorways.

8. Honda Jazz

• Recommended trim: Elegance
• Recommended engine: 1.5-litre petrol hybrid
• Starting price: £26,885*
• Average carwow saving: £1,590*
• Wowscore: 7/10

Not every car can be dynamically engaging and set your hair on fire after every drive. There’s certainly a substantial segment of the buying public who are more interested in dependable competence and practicality – and if that applies to you, look no further than the Honda Jazz.

It is relaxing and easy to drive, delivers great economy from its hybrid powerplant, and the boot is easy to load. And just like the Polo, thanks to its refined road manners it feels like a bigger car than it is. Unfortunately, it is priced at the top of the small hatchback market.

9. Hyundai i20

• Recommended trim: Advance
• Recommended engine: 1.0-litre petrol mild-hybrid
• Starting price: £20,780*
• Average carwow saving: £1,856*
• Wowscore: 7/10

The Hyundai i20 ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort, pricing, spec levels, and practicality. It doesn’t excel in any one area, but it’s certainly a very competent all-rounder.

The infotainment system is intuitive to use, although it’s less comfortable over bumps than some alternatives, and you get just the one engine option. It’s a good one, but more choice would have been nice.

10. Audi A1

• Recommended trim: Sport
• Recommended engine: 1.0-litre petrol ’25’
• Starting price: £22,800*
• Average carwow saving: £1,064*
• Wowscore: 7/10

Under that sharp-looking bodywork, the Audi A1 Sportback is essentially a fancy Volkswagen Polo. But that’s certainly no bad thing, as it offers the same refined ride and impressive engine range.

You also get a more upmarket interior, including a high-tech infotainment system. It does cost more than most alternatives in this segment, and the entry-level 95hp engine really doesn’t do the Audi badge any justice.

Change cars online with Carwow

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