BHPian thewrenchmate recently shared this with other enthusiasts: There are probably more Polo reviews on Team-BHP than there are actual Polos on Indian roads. So, I won’t blame you if you’re thinking, “Why bother with one more?” Especially in 2025-when the car’s been discontinued, the production line is cold, and the showroom lights have long dimmed on this iconic German hatchback. But here I am anyway. Not to review spec sheets or resale values. I’m here to share my 5-year, 60,000 km-long relationship with my Polo-a journey that’s been all about memories. This isn’t a review, it’s a tribute.The Beginning: When Dreams Were Born My love story with the Polo started back in 2010. I was in 11th standard (college, as we like to call it in Pune), and the Polo had just launched in India. Newspapers were flooded with ads shouting “German engineering, now in India!” and as a teenage car enthusiast, I was hooked. I’d already read about the Polo on international forums (yes, even back then I was that kind of nerd), but seeing it on Indian roads? That was something else. I somehow convinced my dad to come see the car in person-despite knowing our financial situation wouldn’t allow a purchase. We walked into the Shivajinagar Volkswagen showroom. The salesman greeted us with the usual rehearsed lines and began showcasing the Polo’s solid build quality by thumping the door with a pride usually reserved for bodybuilders at a gym. My dad was genuinely impressed. So was I. But reality hit-like that showroom door-and we decided to hold off.The Purchase: 10 Years Later, But With the Same ExcitementThat visit stayed with me. Over the years, I watched countless Polos on the road, each one whispering, “You still want me, don’t you?” Life moved on. So did the auto industry. But my love for the Polo remained stuck in 2010. Then came 2020. A year when the world hit pause-but I finally hit play on my dream. Sadly, my dad wasn’t around to see it happen-I lost him in 2017. But the memory of that visit, and his quiet approval of the Polo, made this decision even more meaningful. I walked into the Volkswagen showroom at Wakad during the Covid-era chaos. The new Polo 1.0 TSI was on display. I scoffed internally: “One litre? Really? Is this a water bottle or a car?” But the sales guy insisted on a test drive. And thank God he did. One spin later, I was hooked. The turbo kicked in like an espresso shot to the face. It was nimble, punchy, and confident-like a chhota packet with full-on dhamaaka. I told the sales guy, “Let’s do this.” Loan papers were signed. Formalities done. And on June 25th, 2020, I brought home my red rocket. My very own Volkswagen Polo Ownership Experience: Highway Tales, Panic Brakes & the Myth of “German Expensive”In the past 5 years, my Polo has seen more of South India than most travel influencers. Thanks to my work taking me between Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore, I’ve done the Pune-Hyderabad-Bangalore triangle more times than I can count. Add to that road trips to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Coorg, and even interior Karnataka, and this so-called “hatchback” has quietly flexed its touring muscles like a grand tourer in disguise. On highways, the Polo doesn’t behave like a hatch. It feels planted, confident, and rock-solid, even at high triple-digit speeds. There’s a certain poise to the car-it doesn’t fidget, float, or feel nervous. It’s like that calm friend who doesn’t scream even when the rollercoaster drops. The steering feels connected, the brakes sharp, and the overall drive mature. At times, I’ve genuinely forgotten I was driving a small car. Speaking of brakes-Tamhini Ghat gave me one heart-stopping memory (pun intended). I was cruising around 80 kmph, mildly zoning out to music, when a parked car on the right decided to took a sharp 90-degree left, right in front of me, cutting across like it was an F1 pit stop. I slammed the brakes instinctively. Now here’s the crazy part: the car stopped dead straight-no skid, no fishtail, no drama. Just came to a halt like it had rehearsed this stunt. Everyone in the car went silent for a second. Then came the collective “How the heck did it stop like that?” It almost felt fake. But it wasn’t. That moment alone made me respect the car’s dynamics even more.Maintenance & Reliability: My Wallet’s Still IntactLet’s address the elephant in every German car ownership thread-maintenance. Everyone loves to quote their cousin’s friend’s neighbour whose Volkswagen bankrupted him. But here’s the thing-my Polo has been surprisingly easy on the pocket. Every service has been done exclusively at Volkswagen Authorized Service Centers, and not once has the bill crossed 10,000. That’s including oil, filters, general checkups-the works. In fact, apart from regular servicing:Brake pads and discs have been replaced twice (expected for 60k km).The entire suspension setup + tyres were replaced recently-my biggest expense so far.Not a single breakdown, warning light scare or stranded-by-the-roadside moment (touchwood, again).Yes, spares cost a bit more than your average Maruti, but the quality and longevity make up for it. I haven’t had to revisit the workshop for any niggles, which is a win in German car territory.Emotional Odometer: 60,000 km of MemoriesMore than the mechanicals and mileage, it’s the memories that stand out. From solo highway sprints to chaotic group trips, the Polo’s been a companion, not just a machine. I’ve slept in it, sung in it, eaten questionable roadside food near it, and taken life decisions while driving it. This car isn’t just my daily driver. It’s my time capsule-carrying stories, songs, and silent moments over five unforgettable years. Present: From Cross-Country Drives to Garage Duty, the Love RemainsMost of the odometer reading was clocked in the first three years of ownership. The Polo took me across states, highways, ghats, and backroads-and left me with a million memories in the process. Then came 2023-a year that brought in a new beast into my life: the BMW R1250 GSA. Safe to say, the Polo got a well-deserved break as the big GS took over touring duties. In just 1.5 years, the BMW’s already crossed 23,000 km, but that’s a story for another thread (and trust me, that one’s going to be wild). Amidst all this, I also fulfilled another dream-starting my own garage in Pune: Wrench Motoworks. With that, the Polo now wears a new hat: that of my daily workhorse. It runs errands, hauls tools, and still does the occasional highway sprint when I need a reminder of what German engineering feels like. Would I ever sell it? Not a chance. Every single time I turn the key, I smile. That teenage car-crazy version of me still jumps in excitement. That’s what the Polo does to you. It gets under your skin, and before you know it, you’re part of the cult. I really wish I had some dramatic “cons” to tell you about. Something to balance the review. But I don’t. Call it fanboyism, call it bias-but I’ll always be one of those Polo people. And proud of it.Conclusion: A Fanboy’s Farewell (For Now)In a sea of Polo ownership threads, I don’t know if mine adds anything groundbreaking. The car’s discontinued. The hype has moved on. But for me, this thread is a time capsule-a way to honor five years and 60,000 km of memories with a machine that gave me far more than I expected. It reminded me of my dad. It gave me confidence on every road. It never gave up. And in return, I’ll never give it up either. To the Polo-and everything it represents. See you on the next highway.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
