Frugal Fun: VW’s Polo BlueMotion

On paper, its sounds too good to be true: a car that comes close to annulling road tax while sipping parsimoniously on precious fossil fuels.
Off paper, The Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion still beggars belief. Most of its rivals are a bit 'sackcloth and ashes' and they're bought mostly by those who need to be seen suffering as they save the planet. In order to get the fuel consumption figures and the carbon dioxide emissions down, most eco cars are saddled with tall gearing and low resistance tyres. The net result is glacial acceleration and a lumpy ride quality. In short, they're cars to be endured rather than enjoyed.
To be honest, the prospect of spending a week in the company of the second-generation BlueMotion was a less then thrilling prospect, not least when you know ahead of time that much of your spell together is going to be spent on motorways. Dicing with 18-wheelers as you struggle to get out of your own way rarely appeals, but the VW simply defies preconceptions. In fact, it's more of a revelation. Whilst it's far from perfect, it's a lot closer than any other car in its segment that we can think of.
Cabin design; the controls are intuitive and precisely where you want them to be. It's also very comfortable, albeit with a slight perched driving position. The long doors make getting into the back much easier, though their length can prove problematic in car parks where space is at a premium.
Engine noise certainly isn't intrusive at motorway speeds. Being relatively high geared, it isn't especially quick, 0-62mph taking 13 seconds but it doesn't feel particularly slow from behind the wheel (there are petrol versions that are less energetic). Best of all, though, is the payoff of up to 80mpg and an environmentally (and road tax) friendly 91g/km co2 emissions. And thus is more than mere marketing stuff. Drive the VW like a saint and you can eek out more than 700 miles from a tank of diesel. When thrashed enthusiastically you'll still be left floored by how little fuel it uses. It's also beautifully made, has a surprisingly supple ride quality and a nimble chassis.
Is it too good to be true? Put it this way, the Polo BlueMotion is like having your cake and eating it, only to discover that it's non-fattening. It's that good.