Volkswagen Cross Polo review, test drive

After introducing the hi-tech and punchy GT TSI, Volkswagen is angling for another class of hatchback customer with its rugged-looking Cross Polo. Straight away, the Cross Polo appears to have grown a bit after a summer at camp, and on paper, it has. Length is up by 17mm, width by 16mm and even height by 21mm, and it has also put on 10kg of weight. So what’s changed?

While all the sheet metal is identical to the Polo, there is a band of matte black plastic tightly guarding the lower section. The silver chin-guard and the diffuser offset the blacked-out lower section handsomely. The silver roof-rails add just a few millimetres in overall height, but help the Polo grow a more adventurous personality. Roof box? Cycle rack? Bolt ‘em on!

There’s no denying that the Cross Polo looks ready to rough it out. However, despite its hiking gear, it isn’t looking to get scratched or dusty. While internationally the Cross Polo is offered with 17-inch wheels, the India-spec car rides on the same 185/60 R15 rubber as the standard hatchback, and the extra mass of the cladding around the wheel arches makes the rubber look quite puny. Rough-roading won’t get easier either as the 168mm of ground clearance is identical to the standard Polo. This doesn’t bode well for the motor either, as the low-placed sump of the diesel motor remains in harm’s way on rough roads. Continued..