Introduction

The small SUV segment is a booming one in developing markets like India, and with good reason; we don’t want cars that can make us happy when we’re screaming around a bend, because that never happens. We’ve had way too many experiences with cows that want to be dividers and truckers who insist on the American way of driving on the right side of the road. However, a car that can keep us a little high off the road so that we don’t feel like we’re trapped in a traffic jam, and with enough ground clearance to go over the mightiest speed breaker without touching bottom or wade with confidence through the biggest pond that opens up in the middle of the road during the monsoon will be an ideal car.

However, there are some of us who want the best of both worlds – the ability to splash pedestrians and dodge cows at speed. This is what a crossover body style promises, and as such the Cross Polo promises to give you everything you could possibly want in a small car. But does it live up to this promise?

Looks

All Polos look the same. In theory, that levels the playing field, and there is something positive to be said in favour of this policy: even the base model buyers get a good-looking car and more perceived value out of their purchase. This is also the case with the Cross Polo – it is very recognisably a Polo, and it has the same timeless, quiet good looks as its hatchback siblings. The major differences are in the matt black plastic cladding at the bottom of the car. The front bumper has a trapezoidal lower half that lends a more aggressive look to it than the regular Polo. The silver sump guard also gives it street cred. At the side, the matt black cladding makes the car look longer than it is. The matt black ‘outlines’ for the wheel arches are a nice touch. At the rear, the differences are much the same as in the front: matt black lower half of the bumper, and silver bash plate at the bottom. There also is a sticker on the lightcatcher on the rear doors that says “Cross Polo”, and the mirrors on our test car were painted silver, which made it look distinct.

Interior

Unlike the exterior, there is nothing to differentiate the Cross Polo from the regular Polo on the inside. It is available in the top-spec variant only, so there is climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, a multi-function trip meter in the instrument cluster, and a fair amount of space for the occupants, but not the best in class. The space, especially in the back, is the only negative point in the Cross Polo. There is a large transmission tunnel that makes it extremely uncomfortable for a middle rear occupant. Even the colour scheme is black, which makes it look very sophisticated, but ultimately beige interiors would have made it appear bigger. Everything has the best quality in the class for sure, and the fabrics are good to the touch. The buttons have great tactile feel, and operating them also imparts the premium feeling of the interior. The steering wheel telescopes, a feature still ignored by most the competition at nearly twice the price (honourable mention to the Hyundai i20 here), but much appreciated by tall people such as yours truly. The audio system is one of the best factory-fitted ones in the segment at the moment, and it has all the possible options necessary to keep the occupants entertained.

The Cross Polo’s boot is exactly the same size as the regular Polo’s, and as such is just as practical at 280 litres.

Engine and Gearbox

The similarities to the regular Polo extend under the hood: the 1.2-litre TDI has three cylinders and develops 74bhp and 180Nm. There is a marginal difference in fuel efficiency, at 22.07kpl, 0.03kpl better than the regular Polo’s ARAI figure. The engine feels the same as the Polo – there is quite a bit of turbo lag, and power comes in too late to be of much use in city traffic. Out on the highway, the lack of power is felt while overtaking. A little more refinement from the motor would not have gone amiss. If the Cross Polo were made available with the 1.6-litre diesel like the GT TDI, it makes it a mouth-watering proposition.

Ride and Handling

The Cross Polo is longer, wider and heavier than the regular Polo, but its ground clearance is exactly the same. This is the reason why it also handles like a regular Polo – precise and with minimal fuss. It comes into its own at highway speeds, despite the matt-black cladding that suggests it will not like the highway and prefer a dirt track instead. The ride is a little stiff at low speeds, but it is never uncomfortable. In effect, it looks brawny but drives like a car – and the Polo has always been near the top of the heap when it comes to ride/handling balance.

Verdict

Volkswagen has listed the Cross Polo at approximately Rs 60,000 over the top-end diesel variant of the regular Polo. There is no option of variant or engine with the Cross Polo, so it is all or nothing if you want it. For that price, one can have a top-end diesel Hyundai i20, which manages to outdo the Cross Polo on many of the specifications as well as features fronts. However, you don’t get the sober good looks, the street cred of the cladding, and the high-speed manners of the VW. However, at the price, the Cross Polo looks like it isn’t value for money, and that is why I don’t expect it to sell – it is a car to be bought with the heart and not the head. Which is why it is a shame that VW won’t offer it with either an automatic petrol or 1.6-litre diesel option; this will ensure that the customers who buy it will love it to bits for what it is, instead of looking at it as merely a ‘different’ car.