Official: New VW Polo Bluemotion offers 85.5mpg, less co2 and cheaper than new Prius!

[JimboPalmer]

Some US caveats:

The Polo is not currently imported to the US, VW is considering offering it in 2011, but that is not firm. It is distinctly smaller than the Golf/Rabbit, similar in size to the Fit or Yaris.

The 85.5 is a European Mileage test, the EPA never gets 1/2 MPGs, the 2008 Prius got 67 MPG on the same test, I did not find newer European Prius numbers.

[PriusSport]

The Prius is still King of the road. Years ahead of the others. An engineering marvel.

[usbseawolf2000]

Considering Diesel fuel is about 15% more energy dense and the available power, it is not impressive. If you are willing to be part of the transmission (shifting), ok with the compromises in safety, refinement and luxury features, sure you can save money.

Also consider the ownership satisfication of both cars.

[culltec]

But in the UK an Automatic car is Not as popular an option as a manual (than in the US), with well over 90% of Britains driving a manual. I'm not saying its better but we Brits feel like "proper" driving is done via the manual gear changes plus our country is way smaller with more cramped roads than in America. A manual is more suited in the UK.

I don't feel the reliability argument holds up either. Volkswagen's entire fleet come with 3 year Warranty as standard (same as Prius body) and morpheusx - its not fair to compare your wife's Beatle to your Prius. Thats like comparing my friends 9 year old Yaris just because its made by Toyota!

Tests also confirmed a 0-62 in 13 seconds which is just a few more than the Prius with a top speed of 115 MPH. And yes, the New Polo is a smaller car than the Prius, but in Britain its NOT a supermini. We consider a supermini something like a Smart Car or Toyota iQ. It also makes me smile that members are quick to discredit this car as a mini car yet are falling over themselves over the new SMALL Nissan Leaf

I've got nothing against the Prius, I actually believe its the most innovative car ever made. But the point of my post was to show an alternative car that is:

• Cheaper (by £5500/$9000)
• Offers better MPG (at least 10+)
• Greenest 4 Seater car in Europe

The New 2010 Polo VW Bluemotion will definitely be a realistic choice for us Britains when it goes on sale next year. Also lets not forget the fuel prices in the UK are way more higher than in the US which is one of the biggest reasons behind peoples car purchases.

I'm a little disappointed with my experience of PriusChat.com so far. I understand that this is a Forum for Prius Fans however I thought you guys would have been accepting of all greener cars that offer great MPG. I also posted this in the "OTHER CAR" section of the forum, which begs the question why have an other car section if members won't have a nice word to say about them

[Arnold]

Okay, the Polo Bluemotion has only 87 vs. 89 g/km CO2 emission, but its luggage-space is only 270 vs. that of the Prius 2010 441 liter, about 40% less.

[downeastah]

Looks more lie a Matrix than a Prius, eh.

[JimboPalmer]

Originally Posted by culltec

Tests also confirmed a 0-62 in 13 seconds which is just a few more than the Prius with a top speed of 115 MPH.

I'm a little disappointed with my experience of PriusChat.com so far. I understand that this is a Forum for Prius Fans however I thought you guys would have been accepting of all greener cars that offer great MPG.

0-100 km in 13 seconds will make it faster than the Smart, but slower than any other car sold in the US.

My post merely clarified that it is not sold here, is not in the same size class as a Prius, and that your mileage claim was not based on a standard we are used to.

If you find numbers like this for the Polo, I am all ears.
Emission Comparison: Prius / HS250h / Insight / Civic Hybrid / Jetta (Gas+TDI) / WRX STI

[fuzzy1]

... I'm a little disappointed with my experience of PriusChat.com so far. I understand that this is a Forum for Prius Fans however I thought you guys would have been accepting of all greener cars that offer great MPG. ...

Have you also tried CleanMPG.com? It is much more accepting of green non-Prius choices.

[hampdenwireless]

Originally Posted by culltec

I'm a little disappointed with my experience of PriusChat.com so far. I understand that this is a Forum for Prius Fans however I thought you guys would have been accepting of all greener cars that offer great MPG. I also posted this in the "OTHER CAR" section of the forum, which begs the question why have an other car section if members won't have a nice word to say about them

The original post kind of a set up for your disappointment. You are comparing cars in completely different classes. I think the Polo Bluemotion is a great way to save fuel and do it at a low cost. Its certainly not for everyone. To say the Prius is not as green as the VW is crazy due to the particulate emissions of the Polo.

Originally Posted by culltec

I was seriously considering getting my new 3rd Gen Prius next year but now i'm not sure if I can justify paying more for a Hybrid that isn't as green as the VW Diesel!

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by culltec

I don't feel the reliability argument holds up either. Volkswagen's entire fleet come with 3 year Warranty as standard (same as Prius body) and morpheusx - its not fair to compare your wife's Beatle to your Prius. Thats like comparing my friends 9 year old Yaris just because its made by Toyota!

It is absolutely fair, For Example a replacement water pump aftermarket part costs approximately $60 USD, why VW decided to shave at most $2 from the cost of the OEM part and use a plastic impeller on it is beyond me. I had to replace mine, and I have a friend with a Jetta (2.0) had the same thing go wrong with hers and guess what her mom's Beetle (1.8T) had the same problem. Thankfully none of these led to a blown head gasket (we live in Ohio so its not as hot) This isn't coincidental or bad luck this is the VW policy of if the part can get them through the warranty who really cares about them afterwards. You want more examples, Look up VW failed ignition coils, Mass Air Flow Meters, Secondary Air Injection Systems, Timing Belt Tensioners Maybe VW gives you better quality in Europe, but here in the states you are lucky to get any trouble free miles out of them far much past the warranty. They are a great car when they work though.