The new Polo is a rare breed. It’s a city dweller without issues – no power issues, space issues, safety issues, and certainly no design issues. The fifth-generation bestseller is stretched wider, longer and lower to carry your passengers and shopping around safely, stylishly and comfortably. The drive experience is unparalleled for its class, as you zip through the streets like a battery pack on wheels, kissing corners as you go. It's no wonder that the new Polo emerged as the Car of the Year 2010, under the watchful eyes of a jury of 59 members from 23 European countries. Finally, a compact car as secure as you are.

Many small cars are cute, but what if you prefer a compact car that’s designed for stylish adults? The new Polo has clean, precise lines and a dynamic and purposeful stance. See how the roof edge spoiler meets the tail gate, while the deep wheel wells easily accommodate very large wheel-tyre combinations. It is also one of the first models to sport the new Volkswagen design elements, exuding maturity with a hint of mischief. Other neat touches include a rear Volkswagen logo that doubles as a boot opener.

Love your road-time but not the noise? The new Polo has an amazingly quiet cabin, so you can focus on the luxuries inside, like the three-spoke steering wheel and gear knob wrapped in leather, and the cabin that keeps cool with heat-insulating glass. Serve your passengers a cool drink from the glove compartment and enjoy the grooves from the fully integrated MP3-compatible audio system.

No other compact car has the innovative 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, which offers smoother and quicker shifting than ordinary gearboxes. With seven gears coupled with tiptronic transmission, you’ll also get more responsive acceleration based on your driving preferences. Thanks to these innovations, you’ll be surprised at the pump – the Polo has class-leading fuel economy of 5.8 litres/100km (17.2 km/litre) and lower emissions.

The new Polo’s new spacious and airy cabin fits a party of five like a breeze. The boot’s double floor allows for various load-carrying configurations, while the asymmetrical split rear seats come in handy for loading large items. Need even more storage? There’s drawers under the front seats offer extra storage space, and considerate lifestyle features such as front and rear cup holders and illuminated vanity mirrors in the sun visors.

The new Polo is the only car in its class equipped with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) for better driver control. All-round disc brakes with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) spell great stopping power and Hill Hold Control makes driving and parking easy even on steep slopes. Children are not forgotten with the ISOFIX child seat anchors. For these and other assets – a more rigid shell, reinforced structural components, an effective airbag network, and pedestrian-friendly deformation space – the Polo snatched a maximum 5-star safety rating in the latest, more stringent Euro NCAP tests.